By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

HOOVER – The Spain Park Jaguars are ready to host the Hazel Green Trojans in the first round of the 7A playoffs after the Jags took down the 6A Bessemer City Purple Tigers 24-6 on Oct. 30.

The Jags (9-1, 7-0 in Class 7A Region 3) leaned on plenty of young talent during the final game of the regular season, and saw a breakout performance from sophomore running back D’Arie Johnson, who ended the night with 104 rushing yards on 20 carries.

“He’s a sophomore kid that’s been a running back in JV. He’s going to be a really good player,” Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney said of Johnson. “He’s small right now, but get in the weight room in the spring (and) he’s going to be a really good player for us.”

Spain Park linebacker Perry Young finished the night with four solo tackles and an assist, and scooped up a ball fumbled by Bessemer City’s Jalen Conwell with less than a minute left in the first half and ran it back 20 yards for a touchdown.

The Jags jumped to a 10-0 lead with a first-quarter 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joey Beatty to Parker Kelly and a 21-yard field goal by placekicker Crosby Gray.

Bessemer City answered on the ensuing kickoff when Jalen Conwell fielded the ball from his own 2-yard line and ran it back 98 yards for a touchdown. The Purple Tigers missed the PAT attempt.

Following Young’s touchdown to end the first half, Spain Park added another touchdown on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Gray to Wooden midway through the third quarter to put the Jags up 24-6.

“This game, I wanted to get out without any injuries. We accomplished that and got a win,” Raney said. “The last two weeks have been tough for us. You want to keep playing, but there’s not a lot to play for and you want to keep the momentum from the season going.”

Raney’s thoughts on hosting the 5-5 Hazel Green Trojans in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 6?

“I feel good. I believe you’ve got to play good defense and run the ball this time of year, and that’s what we’ve done all year and been successful,” Raney said.