For the first time in school history, the Bob Jones High School boys soccer team is headed to the state championship.
The Patriots secured their spot in the Class 7A title game Thursday night with a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime victory over Hewitt-Trussville High School at John Hunt Park.
Zachary McGee scored the game-winning goal with just 5.4 seconds remaining in the second overtime period, sending Bob Jones players and fans into celebration and keeping alive the Patriots’ bid for the program’s first state title.
McGee told the Alabama High School Athletic Association he knew the shot was good as soon as it left his foot.
“Earlier in the game, I missed one and I’m glad I made up for it,” McGee said. “As soon as I hit it, I knew it was going in.”
Centerback Ryan Jones, a junior at Bob Jones, delivers his famous somersault throw-in to create a goal-scoring opportunity.
The Patriots, coached by Head Coach Michael Parker, improved to 17-5-1 on the season and will face Auburn High School in Saturday’s Class 7A championship match. The game is scheduled for 9 a.m. at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
For Parker, the championship appearance represents the culmination of a years-long culture shift within the program.
“After my second year, I realized I needed to reset the culture,” Parker said. “We brought in a group of freshmen four years ago and took our lumps early because they were young. But over that time frame, they molded this into a truly player-led team.”
That freshman class is now leading Bob Jones into uncharted territory, anchored by senior captains Arnav Maskey, a Harvard University signee and Bryant-Jordan Award winner, and McGee, whose late goal delivered the historic victory.
“The grit this season is what’s been the difference,” Parker said. “Everyone has bought in to play for each other. Both on and off the pitch, these boys really love and care about each other, and that translates onto the field.”
The semifinal was tightly contested from the opening moments. Maskey scored less than two minutes into the game before Hewitt-Trussville quickly answered on a penalty kick. Maskey later added a second goal early in the second half to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead.
Hewitt-Trussville tied the match with just 31.5 seconds remaining in regulation, forcing overtime before McGee’s late heroics sealed the historic win for Bob Jones.
Parker said his team understands the challenge ahead against Auburn High School.
“We really respect our opponent,” Parker said. “We know we’ve got our work cut out for us for sure.”
Still, the coach said Saturday’s match is about more than a championship trophy.
“Tomorrow is definitely the last chapter of this story, not just for these seniors, but for this season,” Parker said. “We hope to make it a great ending and make history for Bob Jones and for the Madison community.”
