18 • Thursday, August 25, 2016
spain park
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Journal photos by Marvin Gentry
Members of the 2016 Spain Park High School varsity football team include D’arie Johnson, Andrew Mader, Landon Shoemaker, Zach Evans, Myckael Walton, Josh Denson, William Mee, Jaden Jenkins, Mason Pronk, Damon Wright, Emmanuel Holsey, Jalen McMillian, Rayfe Richey, Braxton Barker, Clay Christian, Ronald Carl, Tony Wendes, Jo Jo Dennis, Isiah Bonilla, Damarius Farmer, Hunter Howell, Thomas Branin, Colin Kirkpatrick, Ryan Griffin, Omar Angel, Mario Davis, Darion Keahey, Nicholas Dixon, Kameron Mcdaniel, Cole Starr, Cameron Toyer, Brandon Simmons, Jalen Henderson, Cedric Tooson, Larry Wooden, Victor Davis, Jack Connell, Thomas Jordan, Kenyon Hines, Tyrece Mickens, Braxton Hall, Robert Cook, Scott Moates, Houston Hollis, Darrian Stringer, Zachary Robinson, Peyton Maner, Gaven Pudlik, Hayden Callegan, Hayes Cole, Reed Vella, Josiah Johnson, Kishawn Dawsey, Mark Muir, Daris Robinson, Ja Cory Robinson, Johnathon Harland, Joshua Stanton, Nicholas Cotumaccio, Will Mullins, William Mote, Josh Wallace, Caleb Foster, Josh Mullins, Alexander Kassouf, James Schweer, Bredt Stover, Burrell Boswell, Layth Thiab, Colton Punzel, Ethan Prolsdorfer, Broderick Polk, David Shannon, Ryan Campbell, Abdulrahman Deeb, Casen Browning, L.J. Murray, Devin Dowdle, Michael Fowler, Claudio Sarniguet, Jayme Simmons, Jalen Johnson, Cameron Young, Michael Rogers, Marcellus Payne, Ashanti Carter, Michael Allen, Luke Blackmon, Jake Carver, Christian Richburg, Davis Brown, Steven Pate, Layth Abusuad, Jacob Pughsley, Douglas Henze, Isiah Johnson, Clifford Robinson, P.T. Vercher, Kalik Mallard, Zac Shaw, Tyrese Hollamon and Joseph Reece.
Repeated Efforts
Spain Park
at a Glance
Jaguars Hope to Be Consistent Program By Lee Davis When Spain Park coach Shawn Raney talks about great seasons in Jaguar football history, he’s just as likely to discuss 2007 as he is 2015. That may seem strange because Raney wasn’t Spain Park’s coach in the 2007 season. But there’s a lesson from that year that he wants his players to carry into 2016. “The last time Spain Park reached the state championship finals was 2007, and then we went 4-6 the next year,” Raney said. “We went to the state finals last year. We don’t want to be 4-6 this time.” Not only that, but the Jags came within a hair of earning its first-ever Class 7A title last season, losing a 14-12 heartbreaker to McGillToolen. And reaching the championship finale wasn’t the only highlight. The Jags also scored two victories over arch-rival Hoover and even shut out perennial power Vestavia Hills. As summer turns to fall, Raney wants to prove that last year’s team wasn’t a one-year wonder. “We want to develop consistency in our program,” said Raney, who begins his fifth year as head coach. “We’re trying to get to the point where we are one of the best teams in the state every year.” There’s a good chance that Raney’s vision of the future is exactly where Spain Park will be in 2016. The Jags are solid across the board and will feature the hard-nosed ground attack that is consistent with Raney’s overall philosophy. Leading the running game will be senior tailback Larry Wooden, who was Spain Park’s top rusher last season. He might be one of
Alabama’s best running backs and is a big-time college prospect. “Larry is an outstanding player,” Raney said.
“He understands the role that our running backs need to play in our offense.” Junior D’arie Johnson and sophomore Jalen
Head coach: Shawn Raney 2015 Record: 12-2 (State Class 7A Runner-up) Region: Class 7A Region 3 Hoover, Huffman, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia Hills Stadium: Finley Stadium (5,000)
Henderson give the Jaguars great depth in the running back positions. The quarterback race is between senior Hunter Howell and junior Braxton Barker. Both candidates are solid runners and passers and display leadership skills, so the coaches are embracing a two-quarterback system. Barker probably comes by his talents naturally. His father is former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker. “We’re planning on playing both of our quarterbacks a lot,” Raney said. Spain Park’s offensive line is in rebuilding mode. Former All-State center Grey Best picked up his diploma last spring. Raney will count heavily on senior linemen Will Mullins, Burrell Boswell and Bret Stover. Seniors Thomas Jordan and William Mee key players will be contributCoach Sean Raney ing at wide receivwith, front, from er. Newcomer Cole left: Larry Wooden, Damon Wright and Starr, who played Thomas Jordan. Back: soccer last spring, Douglas Henze, Bredt is the leading Stover and Houston hopeful for placeHollis. kicking duties.