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Spain Park defensive lineman Kenneth Maddden (23) recovers a fumble during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park head coach Tim Vakakas watches his team warm up before a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park captains Jackson Bryant (75), Hudson Hibbard (16), Hudson Dees (39), and Israel Anders (32) watch the coin toss before a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park running back Dekati El (24) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) throws a pass during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receiver JD Thompson (14) fights for extra yards after a catch during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park offensive lineman Hudson Reed (55) blocks a Gardendale player during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receiver Kena Rego (0) scores a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park quarterback Hudson Hibbard (16) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park defensive lineman Nathan Byrd (8) picks up the Gardendale ball carrier behind the line for a loss during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park linebacker EJ Kerley (7) reacts to just missing out on an interception during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receiver Kena Rego (0) catches a pass during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) throws a pass during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receiver Connor Greb (3) catches a pass during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park full back John Malouf (20) celebrates scoring a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park kicker Rhys Jones (81) kicks an extra point during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park cheerleaders during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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The Spain Park Marching Band performs a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park cheerleaders during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park running back Nic McKissic (22) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park defensive lineman Kenneth Madden (23) looks to run down Gardendale's quarterback during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receivers Mason McClure (2) and Kena Rego (0) celebrate a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park linebacker Wyatt Baty (28) got past Gardendale's offensive line and drops the ball carrier for a loss during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park running back Khayden Comer (10) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park quarterback Nash Davis (13) throws a pass during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park quarterback Everett Thorson (17) hands off to running back Dekati El (24) during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receivers JD Thompson (14) and Barrett PRice (7) celebrate a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receiver Barrett Price (7) celebrates a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receiver Barrett Price (7) runs for a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park offensive lineman Jackson Bryant (75) blocks during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park quaterback Brock Bradley (5) hands off to wide receiver JD Thompson (14) during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receiver Kena Rego (0) catches a pass during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park wide receiver Mason McClure (2) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park linebacker EJ Kerley (7) looks into the back field during a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park captains Jackson Bryant (75), Hudson Hibbard (16), Hudson Dees (39), and Israel Anders (32) get ready for the coin toss before a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park huddles up around head coach Tim Vakakas before a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park’s offensive line gets ready before a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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The sun sets over Jaguar Stadium before a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
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Spain Park head coach Tim Vakakas talks to his team after a game between Spain Park and Gardendale on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Spain Park High School. Photo by Richard Force.
HOOVER -- Spain Park High School entered Thursday night’s matchup riding the momentum of five straight wins and looking to close the regular season strong, and did just that in a 45-17 win over Gardendale at Jaguar Stadium.
As the teams took the field, the storylines couldn’t have been more different — Gardendale fighting to snap its losing streak, Spain Park sharpening up for a postseason run. The Jaguars wasted no time making noise, taking the opening kickoff 90 yards to ignite the crowd. But that early spark fizzled quickly on an interception two plays later, stalling the drive before it could build momentum.
Gardendale capitalized on the turnover, piecing together an 80-yard march capped by a touchdown with 5:45 left in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead.
“I have to do a better job of having them ready, coming out.” Jaguars head coach Tim Vakakes said, “I don’t think we were ready to play mentally.”
Spain Park answered right back, shifting into its up-tempo rhythm and mixing explosive passes with steady runs. With 2:20 remaining in the quarter, senior Kena Rego lined up wide, took a reverse to the left side, and raced 22 yards untouched into the end zone. The extra point tied it at 7-7. From there, the Jaguars never looked back.
“Gardendale did some good things on offense in that first half”, Vakakes said. “I’m proud of our kids, nobody panicked, and we eventually figured it out.”
The game’s biggest highlights came early in the third quarter. On back-to-back drives, senior quarterback Brock Bradley dropped back and fired deep strikes to junior receiver Mason McClure, connecting for two touchdowns of more than 60 yards each. Those explosive plays put the game out of reach, allowing the Jaguars to shift their focus toward next week’s first-round playoff matchup against McAdory. Bradley led the charge with nearly 300 passing yards, capping off another strong performance to close the regular season.
“We have got to have more fire and that starts with me. We have to be intentional. We have to come out next week with an edge because McCdory is a real good football team,” Vakakes said.
As the Jags put the finishing touches on an 8-2 regular season, Vakakes took a moment to put the journey into perspective, reflecting on the growth and resilience his team has shown throughout the year.
“These guys have meant a lot. They have built a program. They are leaving a program better than they found it. That’s what it’s about. These kids grew up playing here, and I think that matters a lot. We are going to miss them, but it’s not over yet,” he said.
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