CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Bearcats were back on Mark Britton Field at Oliver Woodard Stadium Friday night to kick off the 2025 season but the ‘Cats had their hands full with Bob Jones. The Patriots took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter and found the end zone again just before halftime to take a 14-0 lead at the break. Bob Jones tacked on two more scores in the second half to pull ahead 28-0 at one point and went on to defeat the Bearcats 28-3.
The Patriots were forced to punt on the game’s opening drive and Cullman put together a 12-play drive to get into Bob Jones territory, but a missed field goal kept the game scoreless late in the first quarter. The score was still knotted at 0 when the second quarter began but Bob Jones was able to score from 27 yards out on a screen pass to pull ahead 7-0 with 9:26 remaining in the first half. Cullman got a big play on the ensuing possession when quarterback Colt Colvard hit Morgan Holley over the middle for 43 yards but the ‘Cats were unable to capitalize on the big gain and were forced to punt three plays later.
The Patriots added to their lead on the next possession, throwing another touchdown into the end zone in the final minute of the second quarter, extending the lead to 14-0 at halftime.
Cullman was forced to punt it away on its first possession of the third quarter, but Bob Jones stayed hot, scoring on a 65-yard touchdown pass to make it a 21-0 game early in the third. A big return from Kolby Holt on the ensuing kickoff gave the Bearcats excellent field position to start their next drive but they were unable to take advantage and had to punt just a few plays later. The Patriots continued to make explosive plays, scoring on an 80-yard touchdown pass late in the third to stretch their lead to 28-0.
Cullman got on the board midway through the fourth quarter when JD Ellerbee split the uprights with a 34-yard field goal but the ‘Cats couldn’t chip away any more than that and they ended up dropping the season opener to Bob Jones 28-3.
The outcome obviously wasn’t what the Bearcats wanted but Head Coach Trent Walker was proud of the way his team competed for a big home crowd in his first game at the helm.
“We will never be satisfied not coming out on top, but I was pleased and proud of the things that I saw from our football team tonight. When you play a high caliber 7A program, there is little margin for error. Small mistakes get magnified and usually lead to scores,” Walker said. “Our guys competed, played the game the right way, and most importantly played together as one. Thanks to our school and community who showed up in a big way for our guys. I thought our guys laid it on the line in return for them. I’m excited about where we are headed as a program, and we will get back to work on improving for the next opportunity at Mortimer Jordan.”
Weston Keel led the way for Cullman on the ground with 74 yards on 17 carries and Holley posted 79 yards on four catches to lead the receivers.
The Bearcats (0-1) will try to bounce back with a win next week when they travel to Mortimer Jordan.
