Jaguars shutout Spartans in region matchup

Published 2:01 am Saturday, October 25, 2014

By JAY BEARD/For the Reporter

MOUNTAIN BROOK — The Spain Park Jaguars grabbed a shutout on Oct. 24, as they defeated region foe Mountain Brook, 19-0.

With excellent quarterback play and a ground and pound rushing attack, the Jaguars were able to keep the Spartans out of the end zone, and demolish Mountain Brook’s dream of post-season play.

In the first quarter, both teams traded possessions until Spain Park’s Rondaius Johnson intercepted a pass, which helped set up the first score of the game for the Jaguars.

To open the drive, quarterback Mason Duke connected with Bridge Suber for 17 yards, but the drive began to sputter when a flag was thrown for blocking in the back, which brought the count to second-and-23.

With a couple of passes to Wade Streeter, the Jaguars were faced with a fourth-and-10 from the Spartan 27 yard line.

After deciding to go for it, quarterback Mason Duke connected with Owen Carr on a 27-yard screen pass, which resulted in the first score of the game for the Jaguars.

For the Jaguars, passing played a major role in Friday night’s victory. After quarterback Mason Duke connected with Owen Carr for 21 yards and then again for another 21, the Jaguars hit a field goal with 5:30 left in the half.

Mountain Brook had a chance to score late in the first half, but the Jaguar defense stood tall when the Spartans attempted to go for it on fourth-and-7, turning the ball over on downs.

After getting the ball back with 1:37 left in the half, a 15-yard completion to Wade Streeter and a pass interference penalty set the Jags up for a 33-yard field goal to end the half, 13-0.

To open the second half, the Jaguars were able to sustain a drive that resulted in a touchdown, when Mason Duke threw a 35-yard bullet to Bridge Suber for six.

For the rest of the game, head coach Shawn Raney and the Jaguars were able to wear down the Spartan defense with a duel rushing attack from Wade Streeter and Larry Wooden.

Raney said it was a complete game and a much needed win.

“We’ve just been a little short in every game,” he said. “Just like I told the kids, I felt like we played a complete game tonight. I know we have a good football team, and we just haven’t been able to put it all together, but tonight it all came together.”

The Jaguars will travel to Bessemer City on Oct. 31, for a non-region matchup and a chance to end the regular season with another complete game.