Gavin Fuqua ran for four touchdowns as Class 7A, No. 10-ranked Austin beat Bob Jones 49-22 for a key win in Region 4.

The junior scored from 7, 34, 16 and 38 yards for the host Black Bears (7-2 overall 4-2 in Region 4), who earned their fifth straight win. The loss ended Bob Jones’ four-game winning streak.

The Black Bears led 28-7 at halftime at Austin Field in Decatur. After Fuqua’s first two touchdowns, Nathan Taylor scored on a 20-yard fumble return. Kenneth Joshua caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from JL Davis in the closing seconds of the half.

In the second half, Austin added Fuqua’s second two touchdowns and a 4-yard TD run by Maddox Mitchell.

Bob Jones (4-4, 4-2) had a 35-yard touchdown catch by Malachi Foster from Sheldon Graham with a minute to go in the half. Samuel Monroe scored on a 4-yard run for the Patriots in the third quarter. Aaron Mitchell had a 36-yard interception return with 3:35 remaining, and Tyren Washington ran for two points to end the scoring.

“I thought our kids played well in all three phases,” Austin coach Jeremy Perkins said. “And I think getting out ahead early was a big key.”

Key sequence: Austin’s Jaxon Potter took the opening kickoff and ran 64 yards to the Bob Jones 27. Five plays later, Fuqua scored from the 7 and Hayden Wynn kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 9:57 to go in the first quarter.

Stat sheet: Austin – Fuqua had 13 carries for 128 yards and four touchdowns. Joshua had three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Davis, splitting time at quarterback with Judd Bailey, completed 4-of-7 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Defensive end Cortavius Mason had 10 tackles with one sack. Bob Jones – Washington had 22 carries for 106 yards. Graham completed 8-of-12 passes for 64 yards and one touchdown.

By the numbers: 319, total yards for Austin, with 229 rushing and 90 passing. … 23, Bob Jones’ total yards with 170 rushing and 64 passing. … 2, Bob Jones’ turnovers on fumbles. … 1, Austin threw an interception and only punted once. … 15, wins by the Black Bears in 22 games against the Patriots all-time.

Coachspeak: “It means that next week’s game (against Huntsville), if we win we’ll host the first round playoffs.” – Perkins

“Austin just was the better team tonight. We made too many mistakes, and we’ve just got to regroup for next week.” – Bob Jones coach Kelvis White

They said it …: “Same thing as last week – up-front do good, I’m gonna do good. Great big win. It was a win that we needed and we got it.” – Fuqua

“We’re proud of the big win, though we’ve got to finish out the regular season next week.” – Davis

“The O-line was blocking their hearts out, and they led us to a big win. We’ve got to get prepared for next week to host a playoff game.” – Joshua

“First, we just had to stop their run game. And then once we stopped their run game we just had to let our cornerbacks play the pass game, and play our hearts out in the second half.” – Mason

What’s next?: In 7A, Region 4, Bob Jones will host Albertville while Austin travels to Huntsville.