Farmer's pick-six flips momentum in Jags' win
Spain Park needed to have “one of those moments.”
One of those moments that drastically turns the momentum of a game. One where players respond with their backs firmly pressed against the wall, on the verge of being crushed.
One that wins a game, and potentially flips an entire season on its heel.
The Jaguars got that moment on Thursday night, in a crucial 17-14 road win in a Class 7A, Region 3 contest against Thompson High School at Larry Simmons Stadium.
“We were sitting there with a lot of stuff going bad, and if we didn’t have something good happen at that point, we were probably in trouble,” said Spain Park High head coach Shawn Raney.
The Jaguars found themselves in a precarious situation after their third straight drive ended in an interception, the first two at the conclusion of the first half and the most recent on the first drive of the third quarter.
On the first play of a Thompson drive that began at the Jag 7-yard line but was moved back to the 12 after a false start penalty, senior defensive back Damarius Farmer stepped in, literally. He jumped in front of a pass to the end zone and hauled in the interception. It was his chance to run the 100-yard dash in front of several thousand people.
97 yards later, he found the opposite end zone, bringing the score to an even 14-14.
“I was thinking I had to fight, I had to make a play for my team,” Farmer said. “I did not want to lose this game.”
“If the kids will keep playing, you’ve always got a chance,” Raney said. “When things get bleak, if you’re not mentally prepared for that, that’s when teams fold. To keep preaching that and something like that happen, as a coach, that’s a great moment.”
Spain Park (5-2, 3-2 in Region 3) was forced to keep playing after the potential 14-point swing. With the game tied, the Jags’ defense forced a quick three-and-out, setting up the eventual game-winning drive.
An 11-play drive that featured the combination of Larry Wooden and D’Arie Johnson on the ground and Braxton Barker connecting on a pair of passes set up the trusty left leg of Cole Starr for a 27-yard field goal attempt.
It was true and the Jags took the 17-14 lead with 4:37 remaining in the third quarter; a lead that would stand for the duration.
Wooden and Johnson each registered 15 carries on the night, totaling 120 yards rushing.
The Spain Park offense did not have its best night, turning the ball over four times – three interceptions and a blocked punt – but the Thompson defense deserves its fair share of credit for that. Meanwhile, the Jags’ defense held up its end of the bargain and more.
“To overcome that against a real good football team, that says a lot about us,” Raney said.
Both teams scored on their opening drives of the game, with a 45-yard pass on the first play of the game leading to a 17-yard touchdown from Josh Huner to Mo Edwards to give the Warriors an early 7-0 edge.
The Jags responded after a 53-yard kickoff return from Farmer. Michael Allen took a short pass from Hunter Howell seven plays later and scampered down the sideline for a 13-yard score to tie the game.
Howell finished the night 11-of-17 passing, for 63 yards. Barker manned the offense for the final two quarters, and completed 6-of-12 passes for 49 yards.
The blocked punt set Thompson (4-3, 2-3) up for its other scoring drive of the night. It took just one play, as Huner delivered a pop pass to Sam Holmes directly in front of him. Holmes streaked around left end for an 11-yard touchdown to give Thompson a 14-7 edge early in the second quarter.
Spain Park and Thompson were two of the four teams tied for third in Region 3 with a 2-2 mark entering the night. Raney has not diminished the value of the final stretch of region games to his team.
“Our playoffs started last week,” he said. “If we lose any games, now we’re wishing this happens or hoping this happens. We just got to win out and take care of business. We started out needing four and now we need two.”
For Thompson, Shadrick Byrd carries the ball 14 times for 73 yards. Joseph Ford gained 96 yards on 12 carries. Huner completed 7-of-15 passes for 107 yards and a pair of scores.
Both teams stay in the region next week. Spain Park hosts Tuscaloosa County, while Thompson travels to Huffman.