Jaguars clip Rebels in key region win

Published 9:16 pm Saturday, October 11, 2014

By NEAL EMBRY/For the Reporter

VESTAVIA HILLS — Mother Nature may have had her way Friday night, but Saturday night belonged to Wade Streeter and the Spain Park Jaguars.

Streeter, the junior running back for Spain Park, rushed for 178 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries in one of the many games that got pushed back due to severe weather Friday night.

The Jaguars scored on their first drive, paced by Streeter, who had 63 yards on three carries.  Mason Duke, the senior quarterback for Spain Park, punched the ball in from a yard away for the Jaguars first score.

Streeter, who went to work before Saturday’s game, took over again on the next Jaguar drive.  After getting Spain Park in the red zone, Streeter ran it in from 14 yards out for the Jaguars second score.  The score would hold up until the second half.

After halftime, the Rebels turned to their senior quarterback, Landon Crowder.  Crowder couldn’t find much success through the air, but was able to run for 108 yards on 15 carries.  Crowder moved the Rebels into Spain Park territory, and then scored from three yards out halfway through the third quarter.

The Rebel defense forced a Jaguar three-and-out, and Crowder once again shined.  Avoiding pressure, he got outside and scampered past defenders for a 42-yard run to end the third quarter.  However, after the Rebels failed to score on their first three plays inside the 10-yard line, they would settle for a field goal attempt.

The Jaguars blocked the Rebels attempt, forcing a turnover on downs.  60 seconds later, Vestavia’s defense would come up with an interception that gave the Rebels momentum and another red zone opportunity, and this time, Carter Jacobs made sure the Rebels walked away with six with his one yard touchdown run.

But it would only be six, as the Jaguar defensive line once again surged through and blocked the extra point.

That would prove to be the difference in the game as the Jaguars went on to win, 14-13.   With the win, Spain Park improved to 4-3 on the season and 2-3 in 7A, Region 3 play.

“We found a way to get it done tonight.  We tried to ‘out-physical’ them tonight and that’s what we did,” Spain Park coach Shawn Raney said.

Spain Park returns home to face Oak Mountain October 17.