Spain Park Edges Hoover 39-37 To Break Eight Game Series Skid

HOOVER, AL – The Spain Park Jaguars snapped an eight game losing skid to cross town rival Hoover with a narrow 39-37 win Friday night at the Hoover Met..

After Hoover scored a go-ahead touchdown with just over two minutes remaining, Tim Vakakes’ Spain Park Jaguars rallied.  Jags quarterback Brock Bradley demonstrated poise under pressure. On a crucial fourth down, he scrambled for a crucial 15-yard pickup. Shortly after, the Clemson University commit rifled a sharp 9-yard scoring strike to Corey Barber, securing the win for the Class 6A No. 4-ranked Jaguars over Class 7A No. 5 Hoover, who came into the matchup ranked No. 5 in Class 7A.

The second half began with a Spain Park drive that stalled,turning the ball over to the Bucs on downs. However, defensive back Payton Wood picked off a pass from Hoover quarterback Mac Beason and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown, pushing Spain Park to a 27-12 lead midway through the third quarter.

Hoover (1-1) responded with 18 unanswered points, including a 3-yard touchdown run by Kelian Jefferson and a 13-yard pass from Beason to Ar’Mari Towns. A 50-yard field goal by James Bryant then put Hoover ahead 30-27 with just under six minutes left on the clock.

Bradley and the Jaguars kept their composure, the standout signal caller connecting on a 36-yard pass to Barber and a 37-yard toss to Camden Major. Dakarai Shanks regained the lead for Spain Park on a 6-yard touchdown run. Hoover quickly countered, moving down the field in five plays to reclaim the lead 37-33 with a 9-yard bolt into the endzone by AJ Allen. Yet, Bradley and Barber would not be denied, driving downfield to score the game-winning touchdown with a 9-yard pass.

Corey Barber stood out with nine receptions for 208 yards, including the decisive touchdown catch with only 50 seconds left.

Spain Park’s Brock Bradley completed 19-of-26 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns, adding 18 rushing yards. Dakarai Shanks tallied 59 rushing yards and a touchdown. Hoover’s Beason went 20-of-30 for 286 yards with one touchdown, and one interception. Hoover’s rushing unit, led by Jefferson, Mosley, Allen, and JaCorrey Hayes, combined for 116 yards and three touchdowns.

Looking ahead, Spain Park will kick-off region play with a road trip to Shelby County foe Helena, while Hoover heads to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa next week.