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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back CJ Cowley (26) celebrates a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park marching band performs during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) throws a pass during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive back Joe Cross (19) celebrates an interception with linebacker EJ Kerley (7) during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back CJ Cowley (26) delivers a stiff arm while running the ball during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park offensive lineman Jackson Bryant (75) looks to clear a path for running back Charleston Gray (11) during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back Charleston Gray (11) scores a touchdown while quarterback Nash Davis (13) starts to celebrate during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes talks to his team after a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive lineman Zac Erickson (98) sacks Pelham's quarterback during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park marching band performs during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park marching band performs during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park marching band performs during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park marching band performs during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park marching band performs during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park marching band performs during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back Dakarai Shanks (20) scores a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive lineman Geno Ferguson (95) fights off a block during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park wide receiver Corey Barber (17) stiff arms a defender during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back Dakarai Shanks (20) and wide receiver Mitchell Frazer (7) celebrate a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) hands off to running back Dakarai Shanks (20) during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park's offensive line gets ready to block during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back CJ Cowley (26) celebrates a touchdown with his teammates during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes and Pelham Head Coach Mike Vickery shake hands after a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park goes into the victory formation during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive lineman Kristian Carter (97) celebrates a fumble recovery during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Nash Davis (13) hands off to running back Charleston Gray (11) during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back Dakarai Shanks (20) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back CJ Cowley (26) scores a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park wide receiver Corey Barber (17) is tackled while running with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park wide receiver Mitchell Frazer (7) looks to make a catch during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park students cheer on their team during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park offensive lineman Jackson Bryant (75) and Nic Hendrix (64) look for someone to block while running back CJ Cowley (26) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive back Joe Cross (19) intercepts a pass in the endzone during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive back Brayden Matherson (0) drops back in coverage during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back CJ Cowley (26) tries to break a tackle while running the ball during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park wide receiver Mitchell Frazer (7) waits to make a catch during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive lineman Zac Erickson (98) sacks Pelham's quarterback during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
A prowl of Spain Park Jaguars tackle the Pelham ball carrier during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park kicker Josh Tulloss (50) kicks an extra point during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back Dakarai Shanks (20) scores a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park wide receiver Jaxon Haygood (3) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park kicker Josh Tulloss (50) kicks a kick off during a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park runs onto the field before a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park captains Dakarai Shanks (20), Hagen Holley (2), Ryan Breazeale (21), and Joe Cross (19) get ready for the coin toss before a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes talks to his team before a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes chats with the officials before a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes looks on while his team warms up before a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park players get ready to take the field before a game between Spain Park and Pelham on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Pelham High School.
PELHAM – Behind a three-touchdown performance from junior signal caller Brock Bradley, Spain Park throttled Pelham 42-7 Friday night at Ned Bearden Stadium. The Jaguars are off to their best start since the 2013 season.
Spain Park (6-0, 3-0 in Class 6A, Region 3) broke open a close game early when Bradley found senior running back Dakarai Shanks on scoring tosses of 20 and 17 yards, respectively. Bradley finished his night with 318 passing yards, connecting with seven different receivers, which included a 70-yard touchdown strike to junior Corey Barber (six receptions, 175 yards, one touchdown). The Jaguars rolled up 516 yards of offense and scored 35 unanswered points following an early score from Pelham.
“They did a good job of trying to stop the run and adding people to the box. Brock did a good job of getting the ball to the perimeter. With Brock, if someone tries to take something away, we feel like we can go to something else and that is just a testament to Brock and how special he is, and the kids around him,” Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes said.
The Panthers (1-5, 1-3) offense found success moving the ball (404 total yards) in the opening frame, however the Jaguar’s defense stood tall at critical moments, led by senior defensive end Zac Erickson (three sacks, one tackle for loss). Spain Park’s defense also forced three turnovers – interceptions by Carter Holloway and Joe Cross, in addition to a fumble recovery by Kristian Carter.
“This is Zac’s first year. He’s actually a really good thrower in track. Coach Robinson is doing a really good job on the defensive line with him. He did what he’s coached to do and to give an unreal amount of effort and he was in the right spot tonight,” Vakakes said.
Sophomore running back C.J. Cowley also had a productive night behind nine carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while Shanks finished with 92 total yards of offense. Senior running back Charleston Gray capped the scoring with a one-yard scoring plunge late in the fourth quarter.
“Our kids care about each other and the coaches care about them, and the kids work really hard,” Vakakes said.
Spain Park will host undefeated Chelsea next week while Pelham is at Helena.
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