Spain Park rediscovers winning ways at Huffman

Published 11:08 pm Friday, October 6, 2017

BIRMINGHAM – A second-half comeback at Huffman, fueled by 236 passing yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Braxton Barker, produced a 35-26 win on Friday, Oct. 6, that was Spain Park’s first in almost a month.

The Jaguars (4-2 overall and 2-2 in Class 7A, Region 3 play) got back on track after two consecutive losses and a bye last week.

Their playoff fate will be determined in the next three weeks as they host Thompson, visit Tuscaloosa County and host Oak Mountain in consecutive weeks.

Against Huffman, SPHS went on a 21-point run in the third and fourth quarters to erase an 18-14 halftime deficit and claim the win.

In the first half, Spain Park scored on a 38-yard pass from Barker to Jalen McMillan and a 10-yard pass from Barker to Kenyon Hines.

The Jags took the lead for good with 9:12 remaining in the third period when Barker passed to McMillan for a 49-yard touchdown, and Cole Starr added the point after.

Spain Park added six-yard scoring runs by Jalen Henderson in the third quarter and D’Arie Johnson in the fourth quarter to pull away.

The Jaguars outgained the Vikings (3-3, 1-3) 406 yards to 307, and had 23 first downs to their hosts’ 17.

Barker completed 15 passes in 25 attempts, and his favorite target was McMillan, who had five receptions for 114 yards.

Henderson (14 rushes for 111 yards) and Johnson (19 rushes for 105 yards) both topped the 100-yard mark on the ground.

Josh Wallace paced the Spain Park defense with five tackles