James Clemens drops heart-breaking loss to Hewitt-Trussville

MADISON — It wasn’t the outcome the James Clemens Jets were hoping for in Friday night’s AHSAA playoff game with Hewitt-Trussville but, nonetheless, it was a “great football game,” said Jets’ Head Coach Wade Waldrop.

The Jets fell 43-41 to the Huskies on a touchdown with 14.9 seconds left in the game after taking a 41-37 lead with 4:06 to play.

For the James Clemens’ seniors, it was their last time on the field at Madison City Schools Stadium.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Waldrop said. “The senior class did a great job of getting James Clemens football back.

“They set a standard for the younger kids.”

One of those seniors setting the standard was quarterback Jamil Muhammad. The Vanderbilt commit practically carried the Jets on his shoulders Friday night as he scored four touchdowns and threw for another. Muhammad rushed for 191 yards and passed for 96.

The Jets’ first score was on a 1-yard run by Muhammad but the Huskies (8-3) tied it up on their ensuing possession.

But James Clemens answered back on a bit of razzle dazzle.

Facing third-and-9 at the Huskies 37, Muhammad handed off to Austin McGhee on a sweep. McGhee then tossed the ball to Manny Sanders on a reverse.

Sanders flipped the ball back to Muhammad who passed to a wide-open Dylan Blackburn for the score. However, the point-after was blocked and the Jets led 13-7 with 2:02 to play in the quarter.

The Jets (7-4) scored again following a Xavier McKnight interception return to the Jets 45. They moved 55 yards in three plays, capped by Muhammad’s 46-yard TD run. Jesse Rowe’s point-after was good and the Jets took a 20-7 lead with 10:17 remaining in the half.

The Huskies cut the lead to 20-14 with 2:30 to play and the two teams exchanged punts when a mistake struck the Jets.

Taking over at their own 18-yard-line with 12 seconds left, James Clemens fumbled and Hewitt-Trussville recovered at the 17. A pass interference penalty moved the ball to the 13 where quarterback Paul Tyson connected with Ja’Varrius Johnson with 1 second left for the 21-20 lead at the half.

Disaster struck again for the Jets on the second-half kickoff when they fumbled and the Huskies recovered at the Jets 24. In four plays, the Huskies scored for a 28-20 lead.

But, Muhammad took over on the ensuing possession from the Jets 20 when he raced down the sidelines for a 79-yard run. He followed up with a one-yard TD plunge and the point-after by Rowe cut the Huskies lead to 28-27.

With the Jets trailing 31-27 with 9:40 left in the game, Muhummad scored from seven yards out to take the lead. Rowe’s kick made the score 34-31.

Hewitt-Trussville, ranked sixth in 7A, scored on their next possession but the point-after try hit the upright for a 37-34 score with 6:30 to play.

Ninth-ranked James Clemens answered back and Blackburn capped a seven-play, 61-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The point-after gave the Jets a 41-37 lead at 4:06.

Then, the Huskies moved downfield from their own 3 for the eventual game-winning score.

“This was a great football game,” Waldrop said. “I’m very proud of them.

“This is a good group of boys from Madison, Alabama.”

Madison

I-565 widening project in Madison to start

Bob Jones High School

Madison ranks top district in state for National Merit Semifinalists

Events

Moontown Airport to host free community fly-in on Saturday

Madison

Police department’s ‘Rape, Aggression, Defense’ class open to women

Harvest

Cheery Loops Crochet brings appealing designs to Madison Street Festival

Madison

Madison History Association to learn about ‘Hughes-Anderson Connection’

Bob Jones High School

Patriots rebound with 50-23 rout of Grissom

James Clemens High School

Huntsville dusted by Jets who stay perfect

Bob Jones High School

Bands to converge on Madison for Rocket City Marching Invitational

Madison

Register now for Fall Scholars, Bughouse tourneys

Bob Jones High School

Dauma transforms South & Pine to include Blue Apple Books

Harvest

Columbia JROTC carwash to buy uniform basics

Madison

Dr. Nichols releases video message addressing parents’ concerns over school threats

Madison

Madison City Schools increased police presence today in response to “unsubstantiated” threats

Bob Jones High School

Chess players open season with Summer Knights tourney

Madison

Heritage Harmony Club promises more than just singing

Bob Jones High School

Immaculately landscaped sites earn Beautification Awards

Bob Jones High School

Local teens rep Madison at Boys State, Girls State

Bob Jones High School

Lady Patriots win Tournament of Champions at Supreme Courts

Madison

Limestone sheriff: Madison man charged with child and animal abuse

Madison

Volleyball Roundup: James Clemens, Sparkman and Madison Academy

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Jameen Mathews Races To Bronze Medal At World Meet Held In Sweden

Madison

Chamber announces Board of Directors nominees

Bob Jones High School

Nominate alum, service candidate for Bob Jones Hall of Fame

x