Region 4 Champion Spain Park was getting ready for the playoffs and an Oxford team came to town banged up and battered from an emotionally draining loss the week before against Pell City. It was a game that meant nothing to either team, but it was Spain Park that came out with a brilliant first quarter surge that ended up being enough as the Jaguars defeated the Yellow Jackets 20-6 in Hoover last Friday.

Spain Park’s hurry up offense was rolling on all cylinders as they overcome penalties to take their opening drive 43 yards in 9 plays. A nice kickoff return set the Jaguars up at the Oxford 43 to start the drive. Quarterback Nick Mullens hit Otis Harris on an eight-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring with 8:23 to go in the first quarter.

Oxford moved back down the field, but a Jacket fumble ended the drive in Jaguar territory. Moments later, the Jags kicked a 29-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.

The Yellow Jackets were three and out on their next possession and the Jaguars moved right down the field on a 12 play 61-yard drive to score again on the 68th career touchdown pass from Mullens to Grisham. It was 17-0 with 10:00 to go in the second quarter.

The Jacket offense could not get going as the Jaguar kickers were pinning the Jackets deep in their own territory. The Jackets first eight possessions of the game started at their own 10,20,20,15,25,20,20 and 20 yard lines.

Quarterback Ty Webber was injured in the first half, but came back in the third quarter to lead the Jackets on their only scoring drive. He gained 64 yards rushing on the drive, as Spain Park was completely keying on tailback Rock Thomas. Webber scored on a 16-yard scamper to cut the lead to 17-6 with 3:31 to go in the third quarter.

After a 43-yard Jaguar field goal, the Yellow Jackets put together another long drive keyed by a 42-yard Thomas run. They were stopped at the one yard line on downs and that ended the Jacket hopes for a come back.

Oxford (6-4) got 117 yards rushing from Thomas on 20 carries, while Webber picked up 101 yards on 11 rushes. In total offense the Jackets ended up with 318 yards to Spain Park’s 300. Penalties played a big role in the game as both teams were tagged with 14 penalties apiece.

Spain Park (8-2) was led by quarterback Nick Mullens, with 19 of 25 passing for 165 yards and two touchdowns. The Jags will host Central of Phenix City next week in the first round of the playoffs.

DeAngelo Thompson led the Jacket defense with 15 tackles. Urlic Jones had three sacks.