MADISON – The cold rain was coming down harder late in the fourth quarter on Friday night and James Clemens (7-4) was in trouble.

The Jets had watched an early 16-7 lead slip away in the first round of the 7A football playoffs at home against Hoover (5-6).

Now they really couldn’t stop the bleeding.

James Clemens quarterback Ty Marsh dropped back with 3:41 to play in the game.

Hoover was way out front 42-16 after rattling off 35 unanswered points to put the playoff clash out of reach.

With the Jets’ season fading out, Marsh searched for a player to pass the ball to.

The Bucs, with their signature black helmets and orange pants tried to get at the JC passer clad in all Jet Blue.

One defender launched at Marsh who shifted quickly to dodge to first attack.

As he put his eyes back down the field searching for a target, he took his focus off of the defensive pressure that continued to charge.

Marsh didn’t see to Hoover defender come pelting for him in the backfield.

The collision was brutal and like a car crash as the James Clemens quarterback was impaled at full speed.

Marsh was driven into the ground as the football went flying from his grasp.

He lay on the field, a broken-looking heap as the Hoover players celebrated another sack.

With the game seemingly over, the strike seemed cruel and worrisome as a hobbled Marsh had to be helped off the field.

This one sequence in the fourth quarter with time running out was a microcosm for what happened overall to the Jets in this game.

James Clemens seemed to be in a good position early on, but in reality, it was only a matter of time before they would get hit by a truck so to speak.

Despite its losing record, Hoover was on another level at least in this game and JC was forced to enter the offseason with a disappointing ending at home.

The Buccaneers move on play host to Hewitt-Trussville in the second round this coming Friday.

For a deep dive on the James Clemens loss to Hoover in the playoffs, be sure to pick up a print copy of the Madison Record on Wednesday, Nov. 15.