By Zack Steele, For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – Usually the home field provides an advantage. This season that has not been the case for Hewitt Trussville, as they dropped their third game of the year to a resurgent Spain Park team 50-29.
Hewitt had no answer for the Spain Park passing game. Jaguar quarterback Brock Bradley put up video game numbers, throwing for 417 yards and 4 touchdowns on 28 of 36 passing. The Jags also dominated time of possession, controlling the ball for 36 minutes.
Hewitt would open the scoring with a 43 yard Peyton Floyd touchdown run. The point after was good. Spain Park would answer with a 70 yard drive, capped by a Bradley touchdown pass to Andrew Thornton.
The Jags were on the move again after a Husky drive stalled. Dakari Shanks would find paydirt from 13 yards out. Spain Park would add another score on a 46 yard strike from Bradley to Reggie Jackson. The PAT made it 21-7. Needing an answer, Floyd would lead the Huskies on a 70 yard drive, calling his own number for a 4 yard score. The PAT failed and Spain Park led 21-13.
The Jaguars would add a field goal just before the half to take a 24-13 lead at the break. The drive was kept alive by an offside penalty on 4th and 5 from the Hewitt 9
Hewitt would force a Spain Park punt on the initial possession in the second half. Hewitt would march down the field on a 72 yard drive. It took the Huskies a little over 2 minutes where every play was a run, including the final 11 yard touchdown run by Jacqson Melton.The 2 point conversion was good, and Hewitt had an opportunity to steal the momentum that Spain Park enjoyed in the first half.
The Jaguars would answer with a 75 yard drive to extend the lead to 10. Hewitt would turn the ball over on downs on their next drive at the Jag 39. Spain Park then drove 61 yards for another score. The 2 point conversion failed, but Hewitt trailed 36-21 with a little over 6 minutes to go.
Floyd would lead Hewitt on another long drive in a short span of time, with Floyd finding Donovan Price for a 43 yard touchdown pass. The 2 point conversion was good, and Spain Park’s lead was cut to 7.
The Jaguars would seal the game with a 43 yard pitch and catch from Bradley to Michael Bibbs, and add icing on the cake when Kelby Roberton intercepted Floyd and took it 80 yards for a score to make it 50-29 with about 2 minutes to go.
Josh Floyd was not pleased, yet gracious after the game.
“We didn’t play well offensively or defensively, but their receivers are really good and made some big time plays. We didn’t get enough pressure on their QB and they ate the clock all night.”
In all 3 of Hewitt’s losses, as well as some of their wins, pre snap penalties have been a major issue for the Huskies. Floyd acknowledged that this must be corrected before the playoffs.
“I think we had 3 drives where penalties really hurt us. We have to get that fixed for the playoffs.
Despite the loss, Hewitt still controls its own destiny with a win over Chelsea next Friday night.
Despite the win, Spain Park was eliminated from playoff contention with Hoover’s win over Chelsea.