Hartselle free safety Peyton Steele made the most of his first game at quarterback.

The senior ran for three touchdowns as Class 6A, No. 7 Hartselle beat 7A Bob Jones 35-21 on Friday at Madison City Schools Stadium. He scored from 9, 3 and 5 yards for the visiting Tigers (8-2).

Hartselle led 14-7 at halftime after Steele’s first two touchdowns. Lincoln Bryant scored on a 14-yard run in the third quarter and a 5-yarder in the fourth.

Tyren Washington ran for two touchdowns, from 3 and 4 yards, for Bob Jones (5-5). The Patriots also scored on Malachi Foster’s 6-yard run.

After this regular season finale, both teams have first-round playoff games next week.

“It was sort of a new recipe,” Hartselle coach Bryan Moore said. “We pulled some defensive players over (to offense) to help with our run game. And they made a difference. And I’m talking about 14 (Steele) really, he’s starting safety.”

Steele committed to Alabama to play baseball when he was a freshman. He will sign with the Crimson Tide next week.

“I enjoyed it,” he said after his debut behind center. “This is my first game playing quarterback this season. I’m mainly on defense, playing free safety full-time. And they asked me to play quarterback and I just wanted to step up for my team and do my job.”

Play of the game: Hartselle received the second half kickoff and marched 62 yards in 10 plays, capped by Bryant’s 14-yard score. Noah Yates kicked the extra point for a 21-7 lead at 8:02 in the third quarter. The Tigers recovered the ensuing kickoff and drove 27 yards in seven plays, capped by Steele’s 5-yard run. Yates’ extra point put the Tigers up 28-7.

Stat sheet: Hartselle – Steele had 16 carries for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Bryant had seven carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Nose guard/defensive tackle Andrew Carroll made six tackles. Bob Jones – Washington had 25 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Foster had seven carries for 48 yards and a touchdown. Outside linebacker Brandon White had six tackles.

By the numbers: 324 – Hartselle total yards with 271 rushing and 53 passing. … 247 – Bob Jones total yards with 198 rushing and 49 passing. … 6 – Hartselle wins in seven games against Bob Jones all-time.

Game ball: Steele, who plays outfield and third base in baseball, showed he can also play quarterback.

Coachspeak: “I thought our defense played well. We got tired at the end, but finished with a huge fourth-down stop (with 2:56 left). This win gives us momentum heading into the playoffs. I’m proud of our team for fighting through a really tough schedule. They battled all year.” – Moore

“Hartselle was more physical at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. We have to get off the field on defense and can’t shoot ourselves in the foot on offense.” – Bob Jones coach Kelvis White

They said it: “We came out and fought with some guys that are still hurt from the Decatur game. And our O-line blocked really good tonight.” – Bryant

“I believe it was keeping them in a horizontal movement, keeping them from working the ball upfield. I think we’re going to do good in the playoffs. I believe we stack up good against our opponent and I believe we are the tougher team.” – Carroll

“I just think we gave up some big third-down plays in the first half. And in the second half, they just started running against us and killing the clock.” – Brandon White, a Bob Jones senior and the coach’s son

Next week: Hartselle will host Center Point (7-3) in a Class 6A first-round game. Bob Jones will travel to ninth-ranked Hewitt-Trussville (7-3) in the 7A first round.