Dothan claims 42-32 victory over Bob Jones in AHSAA Kickoff Classic

Montgomery, AL – The Dothan Wolves clawed out a hard-fought 42-32 win over Bob Jones Friday night at the 16th annual AHSAA Kickoff Classic at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.  

Dothan and Bob Jones, meeting in a non-counter jamboree clash, left it all on the field as both teams combined for 772 total yards, had 111 offensive plays and totaled 38 first downs.

Dothan quarterback Javierre Jackson completed 6-of-8 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns and running back Quinton Norton rushed for 168 yards and two more scores on 19 carries to pace the head coach Smitty Grider’s Wolves.  Defensive back Elijah Swain had 11 stops and an interception that set up a first-half TD for Dothan on defense.

Marvin Gentry | AHSAA Photo

Bob Jones quarterback Ray Hardy was 9-of-20 passing for 106 yards and ran for 66 yards on 17 carries with two TDs. Deangelo Davenport also had 12 tackles to lead the Patriots defensive.

The AHSAA’s season opening classic was televised live over the AHSAA TV Network and live-streamed over the NFHS Network with WOTM TV handling the production. The AHSAA Radio Network is also broadcasting the game over its statewide network.

Bob Jones marched inside the Dothan 10-yard line on its first possession of the contest but settled for a 30-yard field goal by senior place-kicker Joseph Wheat and led 3-0 at the 9:16 mark.

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Dothan struck quickly on its first possession with senior quarterback Jackson firing a perfect strike to receiver Joisiah Lynn for a 40-yard touchdown connection to give the Wolves a 7-3 lead with 7:22 remaining in the opening stanza. Three minutes later, Jackson connected with Za Henry for a 65-yard score and place-kicker Will McCarthy booted the extra point giving the Wolves a 14-3 advantage.

Grider’s defense came up with the next big play when Swain picked off a Patriots pass early in the second quarter and sped 34 yards to the 12-yard line.  A late hit penalty moved the ball to the 6-yard line and Norton bulled into the end zone on a straight dive as Dothan extended its lead to 21-3.

A lightning delay at 9:15 in the second quarter took both squads to the locker room for almost and hour. When the teams got back on the field, Bob Jones crossed the goal line with quarterback Hardy scoring on a keeper from the 2-yard line at the 5:45 mark to trim the Dothan lead to 21-10.

Marvin Gentry | AHSAA Photo

A good return on the  following kickoff was followed by a 37-yard run by Tamarion Peterson to the Patriots’ 11-yard line and Norton dash into the end zone on the next play for his second TD of the night as Dothan moved ahead 28-10 with 4:04 remaining in the half.

An energized Bob Jones offense moved 70 yards in six plays on its following possession with Tyren Washington, who finished with 54 yards on 12 carries and two TDs,  scoring on a 6-yard run with less than two minutes to go in the first half to close the gap to 28-17.

Dothan attempted a 45-yard field goal on its last play of the second period, but the kick was blocked by Patriots linebacker Matthew Lee to end the scoring threat.

The Wolves extended their lead midway through the third quarter with Joisiah Lynn capping an 80-yard, eight-play drive with a 44-yard TD run. Bob Jones responded with a methodical drive that ended early in the fourth quarter with Washington scoring from the 3-yard line.

Dothan, holding a 35-24 lead, roared right back – thanks in part to a 41-yard run by Norton to the 2-yard line.  Lynn scored on the next play to put the Wolves up 42-24. The see-saw battle continued with the Patriots moving quickly to the end zone with Hardy keeping for  5-yard TD run with 6:31 remaining. Bob Jones went for two and cut the final tally to 42-32.

Dothan returns to action next Friday night, beginning a three week road trip that includes a return trip to Montgomery to take on Park Crossing before stepping into region play with away games at Enterprise and No. 3 Auburn.  

Bob Jones travels to Madison County foe Buckhorn next week before returning home to face arch rival No. 9 James Clemens.