By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
The Hartselle and Bob Jones preseason jamboree football game ended sooner than expected Thursday night.
A transformer near the south end zone exploded and caught fire with 58.6 seconds remaining. The stadium lights went out as the explosion occurred and the game was called.
Hartselle was leading 26-23 when the power outage occurred.
The Tigers had led 19-10 at the half, when both teams junior varsity units entered the game and played the second half.
The Tigers got a big night from Justin Youngblood who scored on runs of 63 and 37 yards while surpassing the century mark on the ground.
Senior quarterback Seth Watson tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Joe Walter Norris on the game's opening drive to give Hartselle an early lead. After a Bob Jones field goal, Youngblood broke loose on the first of his two long runs to give the Tigers a 12-3 lead.
The Patriots answered back on a 65-yard pass from Harmon Gage to Dirk Caudle, leaving the score at 12-10, Hartselle. Youngblood then scored his second touchdown of the night just before the second period ended to give the Tigers a nine-point halftime lead.
Scoring
First quarter
Hartselle – Seth Watson 35-yard pass to Joe Walter Norris (kick failed) 6-0
Bob Jones – Cody Stepko 36-yard field goal 6-3
Hartselle – Justin Youngblood 63-yard run (pass failed) 12-3
Second quarter
Bob Jones – Harmon Gage 65-yard pass to Dirk Caulde (Stepko kick) 12-10
Hartselle – Youngblood 37-yard run (Michael Walter kick) 19-10
Third quarter
Hartselle – Cline Thompson five-yard run (Walter kick) 26-10
Fourth quarter
Bob Jones – Seven Freeman one-yard run (Stepko kick) 26-17
Bob Jones – Kevin Perry 53-yard punt return (no attempt) 26-23