By Lee Davis
When a football team is on the way to a special season, it almost always wins at least one game against all odds.
That game may have happened for Spain Park Friday night. The undefeated Jaguars found themselves in a 17-7 third quarter hole against fired-up Oak Mountain at the Eagles’ Heardmont Park.
But like all great teams, Spain Park found a way. The Jags rallied for two touchdowns to stage an epic 21-17 comeback victory and run their record to 7-0.
“I knew Oak Mountain would fight us tooth and nail tonight,” said a happy Spain Park coach Shawn Raney. “We made some mistakes, but I can’t say anything bad about the way our guys played. We showed a lot of heart coming back.”
There was plenty of heart on both sides. The Eagles seemed to be in control until late in the third period, when the Jaguars’ game-winning surge began.
“Oak Mountain’s a good football team,” Raney said. “They try to wear you out by running the ball. We dodged a big one tonight.”
The game started as if it might be a routine Spain Park victory. Jaguar quarterback Mickey Forrest, who transferred from Oak Mountain, passed six yards to Otis Harris for a touchdown with 5:04 remaining in the first quarter. Thomas Taylor’s kick gave Spain Park a 7-0 lead.
Oak Mountain responded with a strong second quarter. Talen Lloyd’s eight-yard touchdown run early in the period, followed by Blake Miller’s conversion, tied the score at 7-7.
Miller booted a 25-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give the Eagles a surprising 10-7 halftime advantage.
The hosts increased their lead in the third period when Harold Shader crossed the goal line from eight yards away. Miller’s second conversion gave Oak Mountain a 17-7 cushion with 6:17 remaining to play in the third period.
Spain Park coolly battled back. Harris’s three-yard touchdown run came with less than two minutes in the period. Taylor’s conversion cut the margin to 17-14.
The Jaguars used a bit of razzle-dazzle to set up the winning score. Forrest pitched to receiver Roman Verciglio, who connected on a pass to Brannon Martens. Martens’ reception went for 28 yards to put Spain Park inside the Eagles’ 20-yard line. Moments later, Harris scored on a four-yard run with 5:41 left in the game.
Oak Mountain couldn’t answer the score.
Spain Park’s comeback win not only kept the Jaguars undefeated but also ran their Class 6A Region 4 record to 5-0. The Eagles fell to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in league competition.
Forrest was outstanding in the winning cause, completing 13 of 23 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Harris finished with 84 yards on 20 carries and caught five passes for 18 yards. Kourtney Moore caught five passes for 82 yards.
Three solid running performances sparked the Eagles’ attack. Lloyd gained 77 yards on 26 carries, Harold Shader earned 62 yards on 14 carries and quarterback Warren Shader picked up 68 yards on 14 carries.
“This was one of those games you don’t forget,” Raney said.
It was also one of those games a team wins if it wants to go undefeated. The Jaguars close with a home date against Stanhope Elmore before going on the road against Pelham and Oxford. All are capable opponents, but none of them are likely to provide more resistance than Oak Mountain.
The 2013 season is looking to be a memorable one for Spain Park. If it is, the comeback at Oak Mountain might be the biggest moment of all.
In other games involving Over the Mountain schools, Homewood’s Walter Rutledge rushed for 209 yards and four touchdowns as the Patriots routed Sylacauga 50-7 on Thursday night. Homewood is 6-1 overall and 5-0 in Class 5A Region 4 play.
Jordan Johnson ran for three touchdowns–including an 82-yard kickoff return–to spark Vestavia Hills to a 56-14 domination of Carver of Birmingham. The Rebels moved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in Class 6A Region 6 competition.
Vestavia’s triumph gave Coach Buddy Anderson his 303rd career win–the highest number in Alabama High School Athletic Association history.
Top-ranked Hoover used a strong second half in defeating Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 28-6. Third string quarterback Christopher Vacarella stepped in after starter Jack Hutcheson and backup Jason Burton suffered injuries. Bradrick Shaw scored two touchdowns for the Bucs, who are 7-0 for the season.
Quarterback Jacob Carroll ran for 165 yards and passed for 127 yards in leading Mountain Brook to a 34-13 win over Hewitt-Trussville. The Spartans raised their record to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in Class 6A Region 6 play.
Briarwood earned a 22-0 victory over Class 5A Region 4 rival Chilton County. Victor Jerald raced for 132 yards on 18 carries to lead the Lions. Ethan Simmons had nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Briarwood raised its record to 5-2 for the season and 4-1 in region play.
John Carroll Catholic took a 16-9 homecoming win over Ramsay. Matthew Byers returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Byers also caught a two-point pass from Riley Mara. The Cavaliers raised their record to 2-5 overall and 2-3 in Class 5A Region 4 competition.
Shades Mountain Christian fell to Coosa Christian 26-24.
