After Hurricane Ivan postponed the first Hoover vs. Spain Park game, the Jaguars had to sit and wait until week 10 to get their shot at the nationally ranked Bucs.

When the game finally arrived, the Bucs downed the Jags, 45-17, in a game marred by allegations of late hits and fights among parents and boosters from both teams.

When Spain Park quarterback Neil Caudle went down early in the game with a season-ending knee injury, it looked as if the Jags would not get another shot at Hoover.

Friday night, however, the Jaguars earned that shot by downing Minor in the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs, 14-10.

Senior Tyler Grisham and E.J. Riggins, who both rushed for a touchdown in the Jags 205-yard rushing effort, paced Spain Park offensively.

&uot;(Tyler) and E.J. both are the leaders of our team,&uot; third-year Spain Park head coach Vince DiLorenzo said.

The Spain Park defense also had a huge night, holding Minor to just 56 yards passing.

&uot;Our defense has come to believe week in and week out and they did a great job of buckling down,&uot; DiLorenzo said.

When the Jaguars travel across town to the Hoover Met Friday, DiLorenzo knows his team must be ready for the fight of their lives.

&uot;(Hoover) is just a great football team and there is nobody in this state that has been able to slow them down,&uot; DiLorenzo said.

In order for the Jags to pull off the biggest upset in the program’s short history, DiLorenzo said his players must play a near flawless game.

&uot;We are going to have to eliminate mistakes, play within ourselves and walk off that field knowing we gave it our all,&uot; DiLorenzo said