The Keith Bears (0-2) looked like they had the formula for a comeback in the third quarter against third ranked Linden (2-0) with running back Domonique Jones, but a scoreless fourth quarter put the Bears’ hopes in the rearview mirror in a 48-24 loss.

Jones had a monster night, racking up 270 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, but Linden’s Charles Blackmon had an equally impressive night, scoring four touchdowns in the Patriots’ second win of the season.

“There ain’t nothing like seeing Domonique Jones tote it, man, because he can tote it. He’s the ultimate running back,” Keith head coach Harry Crum said. “One of our best guards Keyon Lewis … was getting him out there.”

The first quarter was an offensive showcase, as Linden came out of the gate with a 63-yard rushing touchdown from Blackmon to make it 7-0.

Keith looked to answer back with a touchdown of its own, but a Brian Crum interception put the ball back in the hands of the Patriots’ offense.

The Bears’ defense came up with a big stop on fourth-and-short on their own 13 yard line with 7:28 left on the clock in the first quarter, giving the ball back to the Bears’ offense.

Jones capitalized on the turnover on downs, punching it into the end zone to put Keith on the board. A failed two-point conversion made the score 7-6, Linden.

Linden wasted no time answering the bell, as Blackmon scampered down the field for a 75-yard rushing touchdown, his second score of the night, making the score 14-6.

A 74-yard Travis Goldsby reception for Keith with 4:36 left in the first quarter set up the Bears’ next score. Running back Jeremiah Campbell punched it in from three yards out to pull the Bears within two.

Linden took control of the game in the second with a 15-yard rushing score from Justin Jenkins and a 9-yard touchdown on the ground from Blackmon that was set up by a Keith fumble midway through the second quarter, making it 29-12, Linden.

The Patriots closed out the first half with a 2-yard touchdown run from Christopher Robinson, giving them a 36-12 lead to take to the locker room.

With the momentum looking like it was all going in Linden’s favor, Keith came out for the second half fired up.

The Bears’ defense didn’t allow a touchdown in the third, allowing them to claw their way back into the game.

“I got on the guys and told them to take care of the little things. Stop giving up containment, and in that quarter we didn’t give up containment,” Crum said. “We were able to hold them, and we were able to implement our offense with those sweeps.”

Play after play, Crum fed the ball to Jones, who scored on a 35-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 18.

“We’ve got to give Keith credit. They fought us early on, and there were some looks we saw that we need to go work on,” said Linden head coach Andro Williams.

“I thought they fought hard, and they’ve got a pretty good football team. We respect them, and our kids respect them.”

The Keith defense came up with another big stop, giving the Bears another chance to put points on the board.

Crum connected with Ja’Quan Lipscomb on a shovel pass from the 3-yard line to make the score 36-24, Linden.

Linden’s defense found the answer it needed to stop the Bears in the fourth quarter. The Pats eventually sealed the game with two 1-yard touchdown runs from Henry Lee and Blackmon, his last of four.

“Charles is one [player] that has come a long way,” Williams said. “He’s building as we go and getting better and better as a player.”

The game was the first region matchup for both teams, giving Linden an edge in the Class 1A Region 4 standings.

“I think it was a learning experience tonight. Our guys weren’t scared of Linden, so they were just ready to play,” Crum said.

Keith will hit the road next week to take on Maplesville (2-0).