Bob Jones Powers Past Buckhorn 31-21

Jaden Rice ran wild in the second half, and Bob Jones turned a halftime deficit into a comfortable win Friday night. The senior running back scored three touchdowns — two in the fourth quarter — to lift the Patriots to a 31-21 victory over Buckhorn in a pivotal Class 6A, Region 4 clash.

The win moved Bob Jones to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in region play. Buckhorn dropped into a tie with the Patriots at 3-2 and 2-1, leaving both programs bunched together in the region standings as the season heads toward its second half.

Bucks Strike First

Buckhorn set the early tone through the air. Quarterback Parker Turley connected with Bryan Durodola on a long touchdown pass to open the scoring, staking the Bucks to a fast 7-0 lead and quieting the Patriots’ sideline.

Patriots Answer Back

Bob Jones didn’t stay down for long. Quarterback Alex Randolph fired his own deep strike, hitting Josiah Edwards for a long touchdown to knot the game at 7-7. The two offenses traded blows from there, matching each other score for score as the first half turned into a shootout.

Turley Hits Cooper Late in the Half

With the game tied, Turley struck again. His touchdown pass to Israel Cooper put Buckhorn ahead 21-14 with 1:41 remaining before the break, and the Bucks appeared ready to carry momentum into the locker room.

Bob Jones had other plans. Kicker Rocky Ray drilled a field goal as the first half expired, trimming the deficit to 21-17. That kick proved bigger than the scoreboard suggested — it started a 17-0 run that would decide the game.

Rice Takes Over in the Fourth

The second half belonged to Rice. The running back, who already had a score to his name, punched in two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to flip the game entirely. His pair of red-zone finishes closed out the 17-0 stretch, erasing Buckhorn’s lead and sealing the 31-21 final.

Rice’s three-touchdown night powered a Bob Jones ground game that wore down the Bucks’ defense over the final two quarters. Buckhorn’s offense, so sharp early behind Turley’s arm, could not find the end zone again after Cooper’s touchdown.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will use the coming week to regroup, as Bob Jones and Buckhorn are off next week. The break arrives at a useful time for a pair of programs sitting at identical 3-2 overall and 2-1 region marks, each still very much in the hunt in Class 6A, Region 4.

For Bob Jones, the bye offers a chance to build on the momentum Rice sparked. For Buckhorn, it’s a moment to sharpen a passing attack that showed real firepower before stalling late. With the standings this tight, every remaining region game will carry weight for both sides.