The Jaguars fended off the pesky McGill-Toolen to advance

After a hot start, Spain Park defeated the pesky McGill-Toolen Catholic team 44-35 on Friday to book its ticket to the second round of the AHSAA Class 6A playoffs.

The Jaguars entered the first round with a perfect 10-0 record under McGill-Toolen, and after leading 21-7 after the first quarter, Spain Park looked set to get its first playoff win since 2017 Pulling in The 5-5 Yellow Jackets had an upset in mind and capitalized on two turnovers to take a 9-point lead, 35-24, late in the third quarter.

Undaunted, Spain Park relied on its wrecking ball running backs Dakarai Shanks and CJ Cowley, as well as a perfectly timed touchdown reception by wide receiver Corey Barber, en route to a thrilling 9-point victory.

“We’re not shy,” Spain Park coach Tim Vakakas said. “We’ve had big moments all year, big games in different places, and these kids just don’t shy away.”

Spain Park jumped out quickly, scoring on all three drives in the first quarter. The Jaguars scored first on an eight-play, 71-yard drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Shanks with 8:33 on the clock. After a quick three-and-out by McGill-Toolen, Spain Park gained 57 yards in five plays, with Cowley plowing in from the 3-yard line to give the Jaguars a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

On their final drive of the first quarter, the Jags eventually led 14-7, going 74 yards in four plays and reaching the end zone with a nifty end-around to wide receiver Mason McClure for a 27-yard touchdown run. Spain Park led McGill-Toolen 21-7 and appeared to be on its way to a long-awaited playoff victory.

Then the wheels fell off the bus.

McGill-Toolen started her comeback after an interception by Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley. The Yellow Jackets took advantage of the loss of possession and scored on an 11-yard pass from Andrew Murchison to Dorian Coker to get within 21:14. Four minutes later, Murchison tied the game at 21-21 with an 8-yard run with 4:17 left in the second quarter.

Spain Park put together a successful drive before stalling at the Yellow Jacket’s 8-yard line. Placekicker Josh Tulloss converted a 25-yard field goal to give the Jaguars a slim 27-24 halftime lead.

McGill-Toolen controlled the third quarter with a 14-play, 67-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by LaDarien Miller to retake the lead at 28-24. After another interception by Bradley at the Yellow Jacket 23-yard line, McGill-Toolen needed just four plays to go 77 yards, capping the drive with a 53-yard gallop from Miller.

Spain Park then went to work, relying on Shanks and Cowley to break through the Yellow Jackets’ defense. The Jaguars cut the lead to 3 on a 3-yard touchdown run by Shanks, capping a seven-play, 70-yard drive with just under a minute to play in the third quarter.

“CJ and Akarai, that’s what they do. They run,” Vakakas said.

Spain Park’s defense forced another three-and-out, giving the offense the ball on its own 24-yard line. Bradley led the Jaguars on a balanced, 7-play, 76-yard drive that he capped off with a thrilling 31-yard touchdown pass to Barber to retake the lead at 38-35 with just over 9 minutes to play.

The Jaguars defense forced McGill-Toolen to punt again, giving the offense good field position at the 50-yard line. Eight plays later, Bradley hit the ball from the 1-yard line to make the game 44-35.

The win was a gut check for the Spain Park team, which is now 11-0 heading into the second round of the playoffs.

“We’re just going to play our game and not panic,” Shanks said. “That means a lot. We haven’t been to the playoffs since 2017 and I’m grateful to be able to do that with this team.”

Although this is an important win for the Spain Park program, Vakakas said the victory will not stop the Jaguars from achieving their goals. “We train a lot in the weight room and will be there again on Sunday,” Vakakas said. “Our kids are used to doing hard things and I’m proud of them because they don’t bat an eyelid.

“These kids are grounded,” he added. “They don’t get too high or too low. We have a lot of seniors that it means a lot to be here and I’m just proud to be a Spain Park Jaguar.”

Spain Park had 534 total yards of offense, 312 rushing and 222 passing. Shanks had 190 yards on 26 carries while Cowley had 92 yards on 15 carries. Bradley completed 8 of 15 attempts for 168 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Cowley had a 55-yard pass to Shanks in the third quarter. Barber led all receivers with 150 yards on 10 receptions.

With the win, Spain Park advances to the second round of the 6A playoffs and hosts Russell County after defeating Northridge 42-25.

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