By Blake EllsOn Feb. 7, senior athletes from across the country made their college choices known by signing their Letters of Intent on National Signing Day.Former Spain Park quarterback Braxton Barker accepted an offer to join the Alabama Crimson Tide as a preferred walk-on, a decision that seemed predestined. His father, Jay, led the Tide to a national championship in … [Read more...]
Old Tricks: Briarwood’s Yancey Said Smart Players Made a Good Year Better
By Blake Ells Fred Yancey has been coaching football for almost 50 years; his first team was in 1969, right after college. Being named Over the Mountain Journal Coach of the Year is certainly not the first time the Briarwood Christian legend has been recognized for his leadership, but the accolades never get old. “It means that we’ve had a great season,” said Yancey. “As … [Read more...]
Tough Start Doesn’t Diminish Powers’ Optimism For Homewood Girls Basketball
By Rubin E. GrantWhen Jazmine Powers accepted the Homewood girls basketball head coaching job last spring, it also meant she accepted the 2017-18 schedule that already was in place.“I couldn’t do anything about it,” Powers said.On a scale of one to 10, the opening three games rated a 20.The reigning Class 6A champion Patriots faced 2017 Class 7A champion Hoover … [Read more...]
Regaining Confidence: Spain Park Coach Pushing Players to Overcome Three Losses Before the Playoffs
By Blake Ells Spain Park has known its postseason plans for a few weeks, which could be to blame for late season complacency and losses to Hoover, Mountain Brook and Oak Mountain. In its final region game against Mountain Brook, the Jaguars had five turnovers. “Against a team like Oak Mountain that eats up the clock, you don’t get many opportunities on offense,” said head … [Read more...]
7 Up: Spain Park’s Braxton Barker Follows in His Father’s Footsteps
By Blake Ells Hoover needed some late heroics to survive their cross-town rival on Sept. 15. They got it in the form of a play with 1:18 left on the clock. Quarterback Jalen Parker connected with Shedrick Jackson on a 25-yard touchdown to capture a victory over No. 6 Spain Park. Despite coming up short in the 24-27 game, Jaguars’ quarterback Braxton Barker rolled up big … [Read more...]