Postgame Recap | Spain Park takes down Vestavia 33-14

Vestavia Hills, AL – The Spain Park Jaguars rolled to a 33-14 7A region 3 win over the Vestavia Hills Rebels Friday night at Thompson Reynolds Stadium.  

The win marked the fourth straight for the Jaguars over their Over the Mountain rivals.  

The Jaguars got some help early courtesy of two Rebel fumbles including one on the game’s opening kickoff.  Following the first Vestavia fumble Spain Park running back D’Arie Johnson put the Jags on the board early, rushing in from six yards out to put the visitors on the board 7-0 two minutes into the contest.  

The Jaguars second gift came in the form of a high snap over the head of Vestavia quarterback Sean Smyth.   Spain Park linebacker Hayes Cole recovered the 3rd and long snap in the endzone, Jags placekicker Cole Starr connected with his second point after of the night to put the seventh ranked Jaguars up 14-0 with less than four minutes off the clock.  

The Rebels only score of the first half came on a William Schaffeld run from inside the five yard line.  

Spain Park continued to pile on points with Starr adding two field goals and quarterback Braxton Barker pitching in a touchdown on the ground to give the visitors from Shelby County a comfortable 26-7 lead heading into the break.  

After lighting up the scoreboard in the first half, the Jaguars only crossed the goal line once in the second.  Junior running back Jalen Henderson capped a 10 play Spain Park drive to open the third quarter with a 2 yard touchdown dart to put the Jaguars up 33-7. 

The Vestavia offense capped the game with a Matthew Paugh 39 yard scamper with just over four minutes remaining to make the final score 33-14.  

The last time Spain Park lost to Vestavia, current Auburn University offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey was in his first year as the Jaguars head coach.  Current Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney has never recorded a loss to the the Rebels in his four seasons as head coach.  

Spain Park quarterback Braxton Barker finished the game with 147 yards through the air, completing 12 of 16 passes, and adding 64 yards on the ground including a touchdown.  Jalen Henderson lead the Jaguars rushing attack with 90 yards on four carries and a second half touchdown.  

The Jaguars will look to improve to 4-0 on the season as they host cross-town rival and second ranked Hoover (2-1) at Jaguar Stadium Friday night.  

Vestavia will try to avoid their first 0-3 start in 34 years playing host to 7A region 3 rival Oak Mountain (3-0) at Thompson Reynolds Stadium.