By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Editor

In their season opener on Aug. 22, the Spain Park Jaguars relied on tough defense to help them take a 5-3 win over Austin High. With their second game of the season, the Jags’ offense took charge, as the team took a 28-21 win over Hueytown High Aug. 29.

Spain Park got on the board first, taking a 7-0 lead after a Mason Duke quarterback sneak was followed with a Crosby Gray extra point with 8:32 left in the first.

The Gophers responded with a strong special teams play, blocking a punt attempt by Tyler Sumpter and scoring on the scramble for the ball. The extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 3:53 left in the first quarter.

Early in the second, Hueytown took control of the game, scoring on a 5-yard run. The point after was good, and the Gophers held a 14-7 lead with 11:52 left in the half.

Just before the half, Mason Duke found Trent Harper for a 7-yard touchdown strike. Gray nailed the extra point, tying the game with 36 seconds left in the half.

The score remained tied at half, but the Gophers came out on the offensive in the second half, as 50-yard touchdown pass gave Hueytown the 21-14 lead following the extra point with 5:43 remaining in the quarter.

Spain Park struck less than a minute later, as Duke hit Harper again, this time for 63 yards and a score. Gray tied the game with the extra point, and the score was 21-21 with 5:22 left in the third.

The Jags finally took control of the game in the fourth, as Wade Streeter scored on a 4-yrad run to put Spain Park up 28-21 after the PAT.

It was all the Jags needed, as the defense shut down Hueytown, sealing the 28-21 win.

Duke finished 17-for-26 passing with two touchdowns on 193 yards. Streeter rushed for 127 yards, while Harper led all receivers with 82 yards. Defensively, Houston Hollis had 7.5 total tackles, while Jonah Tibbs had 6.0.

Spain Park moves on to host Thompson Sept. 5.