By JOE ANTONIO/For the Reporter                                                                                            

Between the elements and a stout Tuscaloosa County squad, the Spain Park Jaguars had their hands full Sept. 12, as the road team fell at the hands of the Wildcats, falling 26-7.

Starting with their first possession, the Jaguars’ struggles surfaced. The team committed four turnovers over the course of the evening. In fact, the first points of the game came off a mishandled snap during a punt that was kicked into the back of the endzone for a safety.

In the second quarter, Tuscaloosa County extended its lead on a 4-yard touchdown run from Derrick Burns. Later on that same period, Spain Park’s Tyler Sumter’s punt was blocked for another safety, the second of the half. However, despite the setbacks, the Jaguars managed to keep their heads above water till halftime when quarterback Mason Duke scampered three yards for the score with under two minutes to go before intermission. The Jags battled back to make it 11-7 at half.

Things dissolved quickly in the third quarter though as Tuscaloosa County quarterback Seth Franks completed a 29-yard bomb to Chase Pearson to add another score. The Wildcats then added insult to injury by successfully completing a two-point conversion.

Tuscaloosa County’s Derrick Burns put his stamp on the Wildcats blowout win when he rushed for his second and final score on a six yard touchdown run. Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney said the weather had no effect on his team’s play.

“The weather was no factor,” he said. “They were better than us tonight. We did not play well at any stage of the game. It was very frustrating. We are a good enough team to compete in our region.”

At 3-1, Spain Park still has much to play for and believe in.

The Jaguars will look ahead next week to hosting Hewitt-Trussville before preparing for arch-rival Hoover at home on October 2^nd.