The Sparkman-Bob Jones rivalry has an extra layer because the two coaches are siblings.

Laron White, 48, is Sparkman’s sixth-year coach while his brother Kelvis, 44, is Bob Jones’ third-year coach.

Kelvis’ team built a big lead and held on to beat the host Senators 48-40 at Sparkman Field in Harvest. The Patriots improved to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in Class 7A, Region 4.

The game came down to a field goal attempt with 47 seconds left.

With Sparkman trailing 41-40, the Senators lined up for a potential game-winning 40-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Bob Jones’ William Aldridge and Jordan Morrison returned it 80 yards for the clinching score.

“I ran off the edge like my coaches have been teaching me all week,” Aldridge said. “And then I just reached my hands out and it was right there.”

Bob Jones quarterback Ray Hardy ran for five touchdowns and threw for another. He scored on touchdown runs of 1, 5, 27, 25 and 10 yards. The senior also threw a 14-yard scoring pass to Quenton Hubbard.

“I trusted my guys up front,” Hardy said. “And I trusted all my wideouts to just be playmakers.”

The Patriots led 21-14 at halftime and 35-20 after three quarters, but Sparkman closed within 41-40 in the frantic final minutes.

Jayden Thomas had two touchdown runs for Sparkman (4-3, 2-3), an 11-yarder and 54-yarder. Senators quarterback Josh Ward had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs and threw a 43-yard TD pass to Matthew Rozier. Sid Walker scored on a 17-yard fumble return.

“Neither team quit,” Kelvis White said. “We found a way to finish the game and I’m proud of my guys for that.

“Hats off to Sparkman, they didn’t quit. But at the end, our playmakers made the plays that were needed to win the game.”

Star of the game: Hardy had 22 carries for 157 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 18-of-21 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown. His six touchdowns are a career high, surpassing the five he had last year against Huntsville (two passing and three rushing). Hardy has offers from Indiana and UT-Martin.

Play of the game: The blocked kick and return preserved the win.

Key sequence: Hardy’s 25-yard burst up the middle capped a four-play, 80-yard drive with 36 seconds left in the third quarter. Braden Sinn’s extra point put the Patriots up 35-20.

Stat sheet: Bob Jones – Hubbard had eight catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. Kelly Fields had eight catches for 74 yards. Aldridge, a sophomore linebacker, blocked two field goal attempts. Sparkman – Thomas had 16 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Ward ran for two touchdowns and completed 13-of-17 passes for 184 yards and a score. Rozier had seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.

By the numbers: 486 – Bob Jones total yards with 236 rushing and 250 passing. 461 – Sparkman total yards with 277 rushing and 184 passing. 3 – Bob Jones turnovers on fumbles. 2 – Sparkman turnovers on fumbles. 50 – meetings between the schools and Bob Jones leads the series 32-18.

Coachspeak: “It put us in a good position (for the playoffs). We’re still not in. We’ve just got to go out and win these next two.” – Kelvis White.

“Our kids played hard. We just fell a little short. We had chances at the end. Chances didn’t work out. They played hard, I’m proud of them.” – Laron White.

They said it: “We have to keep going. Hopefully we get to the playoffs and host it and win. I just give all glory to God.” – Hubbard.

What’s next: In 7A, Region 4, Bob Jones will host Austin while Sparkman visits Huntsville.