No. 3 Prattville Holds Off No. 10 Spain Park 35-28 to Stay Unbeaten in Class 6A, Region 3

Prattville never trailed and turned a pair of game-changing plays by Kolby King into a 35-28 victory over Spain Park on Sept. 25 in a Class 6A, Region 3 matchup.

The win keeps the No. 3 Lions (6-0, 4-0) perfect and in firm control of the region race. No. 10 Spain Park (3-3, 1-3) answered nearly every Prattville score and stayed within one possession for most of the night, but the Jaguars could not get the ball back in the final minutes.

Jason Crenshaw rushed for two touchdowns. Bryson Francis added two field goals, and King had a 64-yard kickoff return and a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown. Nash Davis led Spain Park with a rushing touchdown and a scoring pass, and Tristan Hill delivered the longest play of the game with a 98-yard interception return.

First Quarter: Lions Strike First, Hill Answers

Prattville set the tone early. Crenshaw capped the Lions’ opening scoring drive with a 4-yard run with 7:08 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.

The Lions moved deep into Spain Park territory again on their next series, but Hill changed the game in one play. He picked off a Crenshaw pass and raced 98 yards for a touchdown with 3:22 left in the quarter, tying the score at 7.

Prattville responded right away. King returned the ensuing kickoff 64 yards to the Spain Park 10-yard line. The Jaguars defense stiffened inside the red zone and forced the Lions to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Francis, which gave Prattville a 10-7 lead after one quarter.

Second Quarter: Alexander’s Reverse, Davis Answers Before Half

The Lions stretched their lead with some misdirection. Christian Alexander took a reverse 9 yards into the end zone with 7:39 left in the half, putting Prattville ahead 17-7.

Spain Park kept its composure and closed the half strong. Nash Davis finished a late drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 15 seconds left before halftime, cutting the deficit to 17-14.

Third Quarter: Teams Trade Scores Before King’s Big Play

Prattville took the second-half kickoff and marched 61 yards. Crenshaw finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, and the Lions led 24-14.

The Jaguars answered with a 70-yard scoring drive. Davis found Barrett Price behind the Prattville secondary for a 39-yard touchdown pass, pulling Spain Park within 24-21.

The Lions’ second possession of the quarter ended with a 24-yard field goal by Francis with four seconds left in the period, making it 27-21.

Prattville’s defense then delivered the biggest swing of the night. Crenshaw hit Davis as he threw, and the errant pass fluttered into King’s hands. King sprinted 29 yards untouched for a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter, and the Lions led 33-21.

Fourth Quarter: Jaguars Rally Before Safety Seals It

Spain Park refused to fold. The Jaguars put together a 73-yard scoring drive, sparked by a 41-yard pass from Davis to Connor Greb. CJ Davis finished it with a 9-yard touchdown run with 9:39 left, cutting the lead to 33-28.

The Jaguars took over after an interception at the 20-yard line, but a special teams miscue followed. A snap sailed over the Spain Park punter’s head, and he kicked the ball out of the end zone. The penalty resulted in a safety, giving Prattville a 35-28 lead with 6:15 remaining.

The Lions took the ensuing free kick and put the game away on the ground. Prattville drove to the Spain Park 3-yard line and ran out the final 6:08, never giving the Jaguars another chance with the ball.

Standout Performances

• Kolby King, Prattville: 64-yard kickoff return that set up a field goal and a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown.
• Jason Crenshaw, Prattville: Rushing touchdowns of 4 and 3 yards, plus the pressure that forced King’s interception.
• Bryson Francis, Prattville: Field goals of 22 and 24 yards.
• Christian Alexander, Prattville: 9-yard touchdown on a reverse.
• Nash Davis, Spain Park: 1-yard touchdown run, a 39-yard touchdown pass and a 41-yard completion that set up a fourth-quarter score.
• Tristan Hill, Spain Park: 98-yard interception return for a touchdown.

What’s Next

Prattville stays home next week, when Oak Mountain travels to Prattville. The Lions will try to stay unbeaten and tighten their grip on Class 6A, Region 3.

Spain Park hosts winless Tuscaloosa County as the Jaguars look to get back above .500 and climb in the region standings.