Jags close season with win over Shades Valley

HOOVER – Despite a furious rally from visiting Shades Valley, the Spain Park High School football team capped the 2019 season on a positive note, sending 19 seniors out victoriously with a 14-7 victory at Jaguar Stadium.

The Jaguars’ (4-6) defense paved the way with three interceptions – including two by junior defensive back Michael Ogletree – and senior running back Michael Callens had a memorable final game with 186 rushing yards on 21 carries, including a 32-yard touchdown run.

“We have 19 seniors who showed up every day and worked hard for us and our kids kind of spent this week with those seniors. That is what high school football is all about," Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney said. “It wasn’t as successful as we wanted, but there were so many little subtitles and battles that we fought and learned from and to me that is what high school football is all about. Of course, I love winning a lot of games, but I also love these kids. They grew to learn and love each other and that is what I love about coaching.”

Following a scoreless opening frame, Ogletree corralled his second interception of the second quarter to thwart a nine-play Shades Valley (3-7) drive at the Spain Park 34-yard line. Senior quarterback Harrison Barker quickly guided the Jaguars offense down the field and Austin Hutcheson found pay dirt via a 7-yard run out of the wildcat package for the opening score.

Midway through the third quarter, Shades Valley defensive back Dareon Jones snagged an interception to halt a nine-play drive when the Jaguars were on the verge of putting the contest out of reach. The Jaguars’ defense didn’t buckle, however, forcing a three-and-out that allowed Callens and Barker to go back to work. Callens took the fourth play of the possession 32-yards off the right side for the game-deciding score. The Spain Park defense continued to force turnovers, as Zach Rushing stepped in front of an errant Shades Valley pass on the final play of the third quarter.

The Mounties finally found the end zone when A.J. Williams darted in for an 11-yard rushing touchdown late in the contest. The visitors had an opportunity to tie the game after getting the ball back with 55 seconds on their own 21-yard line, but a Jake Horton sack resulting in a 19-yard loss forced Shades Valley effectively ended the Mounties' hopes.

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