Bob Jones missed an opportunity to secure a spot in the Class 7A playoffs by falling to Region 4 leader Austin 28-26 on Friday.

Both teams tallied four touchdowns, but Austin blocked two Bob Jones extra points to stay undefeated in region play and secure the region title.

Rayshawn Hardy led the Patriots (4-4, 3-3) with two touchdown passes and a rushing score. Tyren Washington also reached the end zone on the ground.

Austin (7-2, 6-0) claimed the region championship, finishing one game ahead of second-place Florence.

“The next game is the most important game we have on our schedule,” Austin coach Jeremy Perkins said as he looks to keep the Black Bears focused on the postseason. “We want to play well and have momentum going into the open week for us and getting prepared for the playoffs.”

Austin will host Huntsville next week in a region matchup to close out its regular season schedule.

Austin’s De’Air Young threw touchdown passes to Nicholas Crayton, Maurice Jones and LaNarion Wynn. Gavin Fuqua had a touchdown run.

“I thought both teams played hard,” Bob Jones coach Kelvis White said. “We made some plays, but at the end (Austin) made the plays they had to win the game. We’ve got to work on winning some close games. We’ve lost three games by a total of nine points. At the end of the day, we’ve just got to move on to Albertville (next week) and we’ve still got a chance to make the playoffs.”

Bob Jones is in a four-way tie with Sparkman, Huntsville and James Clemens for the final two of four playoff spots from the region. The Patriots beat Sparkman last week, defeated James Clemens in September and lost to Huntsville in September.

Sparkman will host Florence next week while Huntsville will travel to Austin and James Clemens will host Grissom.