By DAVIS POTTER / Staff Writer

The season came to a disappointing end for the Vincent football team Nov. 5, as the Yellow Jackets fell on the road at Houston Academy, 23-6, in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A playoffs.

Vincent head coach Dwight Spradley said his team wasn’t able to stay away from costly penalties and untimely turnovers.

“We didn’t play very well in the first half,” Spradley said. “We had to play mistake-free and hope they made some mistakes, but we just didn’t play well at all.”

Houston Academy (8-2) took advantage of three first-half turnovers by the Yellow Jackets (5-6) to jump out to a 16-0 lead after the first 24 minutes.

The Raiders added another touchdown in the second half before Ben McKinney put Vincent on the scoreboard with a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, and Vincent wouldn’t get any closer.

McKinney ended his Yellow Jacket career in style, racking up a team-high 107 yards rushing and 45 yards receiving. The senior also tallied 10 tackles to lead the defense.

Despite the early playoff exit, Spradley said the season was a gratifying one.

“I told (the players) after the game they have nothing to be ashamed of,” said Spradley, whose team finished with a 5-6 record. “I was disappointed with the loss, but not with the effort. I bet not a lot of folks thought we would make the playoffs. We’re a young team, and they played with a bunch of heart.”