Spain parked by Warriors

Published 3:12 am Saturday, September 13, 2008

Thompson has a message for anyone who doubted them after an opening week loss: stop doubting. A week after a thrilling second-half comeback against Austin, the Warriors visited Jaguar Stadium in Hoover and beat the Spain Park Jaguars, 27-20.

Senior running back Sideeq Cooper led the attack for the Warriors, carrying the ball for well over 100 yards with two touchdowns, plus one touchdown through the air. Cooper sparked the Warriors with a 60-yard scamper late in the second quarter, setting up the second Warrior touchdown of the night on a 13-yard run.

Cooper added a 59-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the Warriors up by seven.

“I just trusted my line, and they played well,” Cooper said. “If it weren’t for the defense, we wouldn’t even have been in the game.”

“He had some great runs,” Thompson coach Brian Maner said. “The offensive line and receivers blocked really well and allowed him to do what he does.”

Spain Park came into the game looking to rebound after a disappointing loss last week to Pelham.

The Jaguars were not without their opportunities to put the game away early.

After a 33-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Walker to Alton Daniels, the Jaguars recovered a fumble on the kickoff at the Thompson 37. A 33-yard field goal put the Jaguars up 10-7.

A high snap on a punt during the next Thompson series was recovered by the Jaguars and returned for a touchdown, putting the Jaguars up 17-7. A Warrior interception late in the second quarter led to another Jaguar field goal, giving Spain Park a 20-14 halftime lead.

A missed Jaguar field goal to on the opening drive of the second half led to a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback David Bria, and it was all Thompson after that.

“This is a team win,” Coach Maner said after the game. “We’re not where we want to be, but this is a big win for us.”

It doesn’t get any easier for the Warriors this week as Hoover travels to James L. Simmons Field. Kickoff for Friday’s game is 7 p.m.