Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Photo credits Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMug.com
Spain Park kicker Crosby Gray laced a 39-yard field goal through the uprights with 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter, propelling the Jags to a gritty 15-14 road victory over Thompson (2-1) in the first week of region play.
“To get a win like this, especially on the road, it’s a blessing. I can’t even put it in words,” Spain Park coach Shawn Raney said. “We got a lot of grit, and that’ll win you a lot of games, just to be able to continue to fight like they do.”
Gray’s 39-yard game-winner was his fifth field goal of the night, having already connected on kicks from 31, 39, 44 and 22 yards.
“Crosby stepped up. I had full confidence in him. He’s done it his whole career,” Raney said.
Spain Park (2-1) led 9-7 at halftime, thanks to a trio of Gray field goals and stout defensive play.
The lone Thompson score in the first 24 minutes of game action came on a shifty 59-yard rushing touchdown by Warriors quarterback Walker Lott.
After the halftime intermission, the Warriors came out reenergized and quickly jumped out to a 14-9 lead, scoring on their first possession of the third quarter. Running back Carlos Stephens scampered 50 yards in to the end zone, capping a six-play, 74-yard drive.
The Jags responded with another Gray field goal on the following possession, cutting the deficit to 14-12.
A series of defensive stands closed out the third quarter, leaving the Jags trailing by two with 12 minutes to play.
Although Gray missed a 35-yard field goal attempt at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Spain Park defense continued to battle, forcing two three-and-outs on the next two Warrior possessions. On the night, Spain Park held Thompson to 250 yards of total offense, with just 26 of those coming through the air.
The 12-play, game-winning drive began at the Spain Park 24-yard line and included a remarkable tip-drill catch by wide receiver Thomas Jordan and a critical fourth-down conversion by running back Wade Streeter.
Collectively, Streeter carried the ball 27 times for 113 yards, grinding out chunks of hard-fought yardage down the stretch.
Streeter's grittiness, along with a relentless effort by the offensive line, set up the game-winning kick.
“I just kept on thinking follow through straight,” Gray said.