Bob Jones jumped on Huntsville early, watched the host Panthers overcome a three-touchdown deficit, then regained control in the fourth quarter to claim a key 49-35 victory at Joe Davis Stadium in a game marred by a postgame brawl that required police intervention.

The Patriots (2-3, 2-1 in Class 7A, Region 4) got five rushing touchdowns from workhorse Tyren Washington along with long TD runs by Caleb Sanders and Kenardo Jackson to remain in the thick of the region playoff race. Bob Jones ran 58 times for 457 yards while attempting only six passes.

Bob Jones recovered two consecutive pooch kickoffs in the game’s first opening minutes, taking an early 7-0 lead on Washington’s 2-yard TD run following the first recovery. The Patriots built their lead to 14-0 in the first quarter when Sanders swept around right end and sprinted 80 yards to the end zone.

Washington had scoring runs of 5 and 3 yards in the second quarter sandwiched around Huntsville’s first points, a 1-yard TD run by Dwight Parker. The Panthers (1-3, 1-2) drove 75 yards in four plays and cut the deficit to 28-14 at intermission as Jacks McClung connected with Huck Hensley on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds remaining.

The momentum carried over to the third quarter as Huntsville piled on three touchdowns in six minutes to grab a 35-28 lead. Parker had scoring runs of 3 and 2 yards and McClung added what proved to be the Panthers’ final points with a 17-yard TD pass to Garner Farrell midway through the third period.

Bob Jones answered with a lengthy scoring drive to draw even at 35-35 on a 13-yard touchdown run by Washington.

The Patriots regained the lead for good with Washington’s fifth touchdown, a 4-yard run with 9:42 remaining. Jackson sealed the win by exploding 48 yards up the middle on a third-and-10 situation with less than three minutes on the clock.

Star of the game: Washington, taking the direct snap on offense for most of the game, gained 226 yards on 38 carries with touchdown runs of 2, 5, 3, 13 and 4 yards. The bulk of his yardage – 137 yards – came after halftime. He also handled punting duties for the Patriots.

Play of the game: Looking to put the game away late in the fourth quarter, Bob Jones faced a third-and-10 situation at Huntsville’s 48. Following a timeout, Jackson exploded through the line and raced to the end zone virtually untouched to put the Patriots in front 49-35.

Stat sheet: Bob Jones – Branden Walker recovered two short kickoffs, the first on the opening kickoff to give the Patriots possession at the Panthers’ 26. Jackson ran 11 times for 126 yards. Sanders had six carries for 95 yards. Huntsville – McClung threw 35 times and completed 21 for 218 yards, including TDs of 35 and 17 yards.

By the numbers: 35, Bob Jones and Huntsville have squared off every year since 1990 – and twice in 2008 – with the Patriots now holding a 20-15 series lead. It’s Bob Jones’ third-longest series behind Sparkman (50 meetings) and Buckhorn (39). 180, total penalty yardage with Bob Jones drawing 12 flags for 110 yards and Huntsville nine for 70 yards. 13, the Patriots completed only two passes, one in each half, for 13 yards.

Coachspeak: “We put it on our offensive linemen, and they took control of the game. We just grinded it out. We knew we were going to get (Huntsville’s) best effort. But our guys settled in and took control of the line of scrimmage.” – Bob Jones coach Kevis White

They said it: “We executed on offense, and we need to keep doing that to make it to the playoffs. I love my offensive line. They opened up some holes.” – Tyren Washington

What’s next?: The Patriots have an open date next week before returning to action at Florence on Oct. 6. Huntsville plays at 6A Mae Jemison next Friday.