Kyle Parmley
Spain Park Football
Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney with Houston Hollis, left, and Larry Wooden, right, at the Jefferson-Shelby Media Days on July 25, 2016, at the Gardendale Civic Center.
Spain Park High School made its appearance at the Jefferson-Shelby Media Days on Monday, July 25.
Fourth-year head football coach Shawn Raney was accompanied by a pair of three-year starters in seniors Houston Hollis and Larry Wooden. Hollis will anchor the Jags’ linebacking corps and Wooden will spearhead the team’s rushing attack this fall.
In 2015, Spain Park reached the Class 7A state final, but lost to McGill-Toolen High School, 14-12.
“Coming off the year that we had, I think that brings up a lot of different challenges for a program,” Raney said in regard to the task of establishing consistency. “The sign of a good program is to not let complacency sneak in.”
It’s a lesson the Jags know well. The last time Spain Park played in the state championship game, in 2007, the team went 4-6 the following season.
Raney said his team, which will be anchored by an experienced senior class, has been working hard to prevent that from happening again. He said the Jags will strive to make a second straight state title appearance this fall.
“In my opinion, we haven’t done anything really,” Raney said. “The objective is to have a ring on your finger.”
