Jags balanced in season-opening win

Published 11:45 pm Friday, August 24, 2018

HOOVER – Mason Pronk passed for 108 yards, Jalen Henderson rushed for 172 yards and the Spain Park defense did its part in a balanced, 24-14 win over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Friday, Aug. 24 in the first game of the season for both teams.

The host Jaguars built a 17-0 lead before allowing Hillcrest to score, in the fourth quarter on a caught pass that was lateraled from Tre’ Ross to Nassir Boyd for a 31-yard touchdown play with 8:49 remaining in the game.

Before that, Spain Park got on the board with a 30-yard field goal by Trevor Bernier with time winding down in the first quarter.

Henderson’s 20-yard touchdown run with 2:21 left in the first half made it 10-0 after Bernier’s point-after.

Pronk ran it in from 12 yards out with 10:26 on the clock in the fourth quarter, sparking a scoring rally.

After the lateral from Hillcrest, SPHS answered with an 11-yard Henderson scoring run with 1:45 left to play.

Kyah Moore returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, but it would not be enough for the Patriots to close the gap.

Spain Park outgained Hillcrest 346 yards to 151, and 26 first downs to eight.

Two hundred thirty-eight of the Jags’ yards came on the ground, and though Hillcrest had 122 passing yards to Spain Park’s 108, the hosts also had an interception for the game’s only turnover and three sacks.

Pronk completed 13 passes in 19 attempts for 108 yards.

Kenyon Hines caught three passes for 53 yards, and Kameron McDaniel had eight receptions for 46 yards.

Henderson ran 31 times for 172 yards, and Pronk added 61 yards on 16 carries.

Matthew Moates led the defense with six tackles, Josh Wallace had four tackles and Dre Robinson had four tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Joshua Stanton had Spain Park’s interception.

The Jaguars visit Bessemer City on Aug. 31.