Huntsville takes down Bob Jones late in the game in a thriller.
Running back Carlin Long scored three touchdowns as the Huntsville Panthers won a 28-24 win over Bob Jones in a big Class 7A, Region 4 victory at Madison City Schools Stadium on Thursday night. Both teams had leads, but Huntsville…
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Continue ReadingRunning back Carlin Long scored three touchdowns as the Huntsville Panthers won a 28-24 win over Bob Jones in a big Class 7A, Region 4 victory at Madison City Schools Stadium on Thursday night. Both teams had leads, but Huntsville got the last touchdown with less than two minutes of the game for the win.
Huntsville Players
RB #1 Carlin Long (6-0, 190) Jr. – Long scored three touchdowns in the game, and 191 yards on 18 carries on the night. Long had to sit out most of the second half with cramps but came back late in the fourth quarter for the game-winning touchdown. “This is a big win for us; I’m so glad we could pull this out,” said Panthers running back Long. “I didn’t know I could go back in late in the game due to cramping up, but once I saw that we had a chance, I just had to suck it up and get back in with my teammates. We just kept fighting, we came in with a different game plan, and it made a difference tonight.” The junior running back has all the tools to play at the next level. There is the significant speed in the open area, and he has no problem running between the tackles or around the ends. Long does an excellent job of protecting his quarterback in pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield. Long can break a tackle with his size and has a lot of experience being a two-year starter for the Panthers.
LB #30 Jerrell Goodlow (6-0 205) Jr. – On a fourth down play, linebacker Jerrell Goodlow met QB Rayshawn Hardy Rayshawn Hardy 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Bob Jones | 2023 State AL in the hole up the middle and stopped the Patriots just inches from a first down. With the stop, Huntsville gets the win. “I felt like we wanted it more in the second half,” said Goodlow. “This year, our mentality is a lot better, and we have worked hard to get a win like this. This means a lot for us to give us a chance for the playoffs and to change the culture of this team.” Goodlow had 16 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and was all over the field making plays. Along with the last stop of the game, he made another fourth-down stop to snuff out a Patriots drive earlier in the game. The junior running back has the speed to go sideline to sideline to make a tackle. Goodlow is a very good tackler and when his team needs a stop, he can step up and make the big play for his team. Goodlow has good vision and is a great leader. Goodlow is physical enough to shed blocks from big offensive linemen and strong enough to deliver impact hits to a running back. In his last two games, Goodlow has 29 tackles, three sacks, and three tackles for loss.
Bob Jones Players
QB #4 Rayshawn Hardy Rayshawn Hardy 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Bob Jones | 2023 State AL (6-4 205) Sr. – Hardy is playing three positions for the Patriots. Hardy played quarterback, running back, and safety and made a few big plays from all three positions. Hardy completed a few passes but rushed for 131 yards on 27 carries. The senior QB caught a pass out of the backfield for a touchdown. At safety, Hardy picked off a Panthers pass. Hardy will play another position at the next level and is showing off his versatility for the Patriots. Hardy can play running back or safety in college. Hardy has excellent quickness and vision. He is tremendous speed and can break the long run at any time. At safety, he can play centerfield with the best of them. Hardy understands routes and where teams want to go with the football on offense. He has excellent hands and runs great routes.
QB #11 Dylan Willingham (6-1 165) Jr. – Willingham played some significant snaps against Huntsville. The junior QB threw for two touchdown passes in the game. Willingham had a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rayshawn Hardy Rayshawn Hardy 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Bob Jones | 2023 State AL and a 22-yard touchdown pass to KJ Fields. In passing situations, Willingham entered the game and made some clutch touchdown passes that kept the Patriots close for most of the game. Willingham likes to stay in the pocket to make a throw. He does a great job of keeping his eyes down the field. The junior QB has a great touch with the ball or has a strong arm that can make an accurate throw down the field. Willingham played well with minimal varsity experience. With Hardy running the ball and Willingham making the throws, the Patriots have added another good piece to their offense.
WR #5 KJ Fields (6-0 185) Sr. – Fields caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Willingham in the game. Fields has great hands and run excellent routes. Fields needs a quarterback that can consistently get him the ball in space. The senior wide receiver has good footwork around the sidelines and can separate from a defensive back with his speed. Fields can use his body to create space on a catch in traffic and jump high enough over a defender’s arms. The senior wide receiver is a good blocker in helping the running backs make a big run.