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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain athlete Evan Smith (9) runs the ball in a game against Spain Park held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain running back CJ Branson (1) carries the ball in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain running back CJ Branson (1) runs the ball in a game against Spain Park held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain defensive back Corbitt Grundhoefer (3) intercepts a pass intended for Spain Park defensive lineman/tight end Caldwell Bussey (21) in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain athlete Evan Smith (9) makes the handoff to Oak Mountain running back Trey Vassell (5) in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park quarterback Evan Smallwood (7) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park running back Zamir Farris (28) runs the ball as the Jags face Oak Mountain in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park quarterback Mitchell Nutter (10) catches the snap as he moves to make the handoff to Spain Park running back Zamir Farris (28) in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park running back/defensive back Dee Davis (11) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney watches from the sideline as the Jags face Oak Mountain in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park quarterback Evan Smallwood (7) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain defensive back Corbit Grundhoefer (3) turns to run after intercepting a pass intended for Spain Park wide receiver George Gilbert (2) in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park defensive lineman/tight end Caldwell Bussey (21) tackles Oak Mountain athlete Evan Smith (9) in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain athlete Evan Smith (9) throws a pass as Spain Park linebacker KJ Rudolph (6) moves in on coverage in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park wide receiver John Michael Lee (16) runs the ball into the end zone to score a touchdown for the Jags in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park kicker Braxton Sumpter (44) kicks the extra point following a touchdown in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney high-fives his players as they come off the field following a touchdown late in the first half of a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park quarterback Mitchell Nutter (10) tosses the ball to Spain Park running back/defensive back Dee Davis (11) in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain wide receiver Ethan Hammett (11) catches a pass as Spain Park defensive back Jamari Mosley (8) moves in on coverage in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park defensive lineman/tight end Caldwell Bussey (21) runs the ball in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain athlete Evan Smith (9) throws a pass in a game against Spain Park held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park running back Eli Johnson (29) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park running back Zamir Farris (28) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park running back Zamir Farris (28) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain running back CJ Branson (1) runs the ball in a game against Spain Park held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain defensive lineman Gavin Nelson (91) tackles Spain Park running back Zamir Farris (28) in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park defensive back/wide receiver Alex Smith (4) intercepts a pass intended for Oak Mountain wide receiver Cade George (10) in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park quarterback Evan Smallwood (7) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park offensive lineman Morgan Bowden (71) gets ready to snap the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain linebacker Mattox Vines (57) moves in to tackle Spain Park running back Zamir Farris (28), assisted by Oak Mountain athlete Garrett Murphy (16), in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park takes the field at the start of a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park kicker Braxton Sumpter (44) attempts a field goal in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain athlete Evan Smith (9) stretches out as the ball crosses the goal line in a game against Spain Park held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park offensive lineman Connor May (55) moves to block in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park quarterback Mitchell Nutter (10) moves to make a play in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
The Oak Mountain student section rallies for the Eagles in a game against Spain Park at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park takes the field at the start of a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Oak Mountain defensive back Corbit Grundhoefer (3) turns to run after intercepting a pass intended for Spain Park wide receiver George Gilbert (2) in a game held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park quarterback Evan Smallwood (7) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney watches from the sideline in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park running back/defensive back Dee Davis (11) runs the ball in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Spain Park quarterback Mitchell Nutter (10) catches the snap as he moves to make the handoff to Spain Park running back Zamir Farris (28) in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
The Jags come together to say a prayer as starting quarterback Evan Smallwood is tended to by athletic trainers on the field in a game against Oak Mountain held at Jaguar Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at Spain Park High School. The Eagles defeated the Jags 35-7. Photo by Erin Nelson.
HOOVER – After the game, Tyler Crane divulged that every play in the playbook leads to an Evan Smith touchdown.
He said he was joking. But one could be convinced by watching Thursday night’s game that there is some truth to his comment.
Smith, the star Oak Mountain High School quarterback, accounted for all five Eagles touchdowns in a 35-7 win over Spain Park at Jaguar Stadium in a Class 7A, Region 3 contest.
Four of those touchdowns were on the ground, some of them designed runs and some on plays Smith escaped the pocket and made his own magic. He scored on bursts of 10, 59, 19 and 39 yards. The first two of those came in the first quarter, as Oak Mountain (5-1, 3-1 in region) opened up a 14-0 edge. The last two came in the third quarter as the Eagles put the game away.
“He’s doing a great job of taking the reins and taking ownership of the offense,” said Crane, Oak Mountain’s first-year head coach. “He’s done a really good job.”
Smith scored once every four times he ran the ball, as he amassed 184 yards on 16 carries. He also completed 8-of-11 passes for 94 yards and a score. That was a 4-yard pass to CJ Branson in the second quarter to make it 21-0 at halftime.
“He did a great job tonight, but we also had a lot of guys step up. Ethan Hammett had a great catch, Joe Regan had a great catch. Cade George, he played phenomenal. Offensively, we got better tonight being able to get more people involved,” Crane said.
Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney lamented the fact he’s had to face Smith for four consecutive seasons now. The Jags won the first two of those meetings, but Oak Mountain has had a clear upper hand the last two seasons.
“We just could not get anything going. [We had a] heartbreaking loss two weeks ago and I was concerned about this. I thought we needed to get off to a good start and we did not,” Raney said.
The opposite quarterback in the game, Spain Park’s Evan Smallwood, suffered a scary injury late in the third quarter. Toward the end of a run, Smallwood was hit at an odd angle and remained on the turf for several minutes before being carted off. He was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, according to Raney. Mitchell Nutter played quarterback for the remainder of the contest.
“I told the kids we’d figure out what was going on but I think he’s OK. He was talking and he was moving everything,” Raney said.
Oak Mountain’s defense was stellar much of the game as well, limiting Spain Park to just 62 yards through the air. Corbitt Grundhoefer was all over the place in the secondary, picking off a pass in each of the first three quarters.
“Hat trick, right? He got him three,” Crane said.
Crane said Grundhoefer should have even had a fourth interception. He thwarted a promising Spain Park drive in the first quarter by outjumping a Jags receiver on a trick play in which Spain Park’s Pierson Cole threw a double pass. He stepped in front of a pair of Smallwood passes in the second and third frames.
“I thought he did a great job,” Crane said. “Defense, we gave up the one at the start of the second half, which is what we don’t want to do, but they battled back and we made the plays when we needed to make them.”
Spain Park (1-5, 0-4) had a brief jolt of energy to start the second half. The Jags took the opening kickoff and marched down the field in less than two minutes. Zamir Farris broke a 43-yard run and two plays later, Smallwood hit John Michael Lee, who beat everyone to the pylon for a 19-yard touchdown.
At the time, the Jags cut the deficit to 21-7, but back-to-back Smith touchdowns made it a moot point.
“We’ve got some games down the line and we’ve just got to continue to work and be fighters and fight through some of this. We’ve had a lot of adversity and that’s life,” Raney said.
Smallwood completed 5-of-11 passes for 62 yards in the game. Farris rushed for 72 yards on 14 carries to lead the Jags on the ground. Branson added 35 yards on 11 carries for the Eagles as well. Both teams racked up more than 200 rushing yards and passed for fewer than 100.
Next week, Oak Mountain hosts Tuscaloosa County in another region contest. Spain Park stays at home to entertain crosstown rival Hoover.
