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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) throws a pass during warmups before a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes looks on while his teams warms up before a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park cheerleaders before a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes addresses his team before a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park linebacker John Higginbotham (10) leads the Jaguars through the tunnel at Tiger Stadium before a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park captians EJ Kerley (7), Nathan Byrd (48), Hudson Reed (55), and Brock Bradley (5) get ready for the coin toss before a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park runs onto the field before a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
A prowl of Spain Park Jaguars tackle the Chilton County ball carrier during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive back Brayden Matterson (0) intercepts a pass during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive back Brayden Matherson (0) and linebacker Noah Hendrix (8) celebrate an interception during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back CJ Cowley (26) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) throws a pass during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back Dakarai Shanks (20) drags along a group of Chilton County Tigers during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park offensive lineman Jovan Taylor (52) looks for someone to block during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) looks for a receiver during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) throws a pass during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive lineman Aden Walker (9) and linebacker JD Bonamy (11) tackle the Chilton County ball carrier during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive lineman Aden Walker (9) looks to get past Chilton County's offensive line during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back Dakarai Shanks (20) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes expresses frustration during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park wide receiver Corey Barber (17) waits to make a touchdown catch during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park wide receiver Weston Brock (9) is escorted into the endzone by wide receiver Andrew Thornton (1) during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Spain Park Marching Band performs during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (5) looks to throw a pass while running back CJ Cowley (26) makes sure he doesn't get pressured during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park wide receiver Corey Barber (17) catches a touchdown pass during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park full back Ryan Breazeale (21) runs with the ball during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park center Jackson Bell (72) snaps the ball during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park kicker Colt Stabler (87) kicks an extra point during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back CJ Cowley (26) gets around the edge during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park running back CJ Cowley (26) fights off a tackle during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive lineman Geno Ferguson (95) goes over the top for a rushing touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park defensive lineman Geno Ferguson (95) is mobbed by his teammates after scoring a touchdown during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes shakes hands with Chilton County coaches after a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
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Photo by Richard Force
Spain Park Head Coach Tim Vakakes addresses his team after a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Chilton County High School.
CLANTON – A program first was a bit slow in getting started but finished on a joyously heavy note as Spain Park (9-0, 6-0 in Class 6A Region 3) beat Chilton County 37-6 Friday night.
The fourth-ranked Jaguars led only 7-6 after one quarter but stretched the lead to 23-6 at the half and methodically dominated the second half, capping the fun with a 1-yard touchdown run by big defensive lineman-turned-fullback Geno Ferguson.
From there, it was time to celebrate some history for a team that certainly has built on the progress made in 2023. Coach Tim Vakakes saw the potential in last season’s 7-3 mark, and although that campaign didn’t end with a playoff berth, the Jaguars have certainly carried that momentum without a blemish in 2024.
Spain Park has won nine games in a season two other times in its history, but never before had it reeled off nine consecutive wins without a loss to start a campaign.
That changed Friday night.
“These kids are making history,” Vakakes said. “Spain Park, they've been 8-0 before, never been 9 -0. So this team makes a little history, which I’m really proud of. They've done a lot of hard work. It wasn't always clean, it wasn't always perfect execution. It wasn't always 10 out of 10, but the effort was there.
“I’m really proud of how far this program has come in the last couple of years that these kids have bought in, man. Our parents, we have great parents, we have great families.
“And it's a big moment for our kids to make history. We talked about tonight, we're gonna make some history being 9-0, and I'm really proud of them, and I'm blessed to be a part of it.”
The Jaguars struck first with a 1-yard run by quarterback Brock Bradley at the 7:35 mark of the first quarter, but Chilton County (2-7) fought harder than its season record might have suggested in the first meeting ever between these two programs. The Tigers drove for a quick touchdown but missed the extra point, leaving Spain Park ahead 7-6 at the end of the quarter.
Bradley, the Clemson commit, led a field-goal drive and then tossed touchdown passes of 17-yards to Corey Barber and 35 yards to Weston Brock, giving Spain Park a 23-6 lead at halftime. The pass to Brock capped an 87-yard drive, one aided by a 12-men-on-the-field penalty against Chilton County after the Tigers appeared poised to get the ball back.
Another long drive ate up much of the third quarter, with Bradley tossing his third touchdown pass of the game and second to Barber. This one covered 9 yards, capping a 90-yard drive, with 5:36 to play in the third quarter.
Ferguson, normally a standout nose tackle and defensive tackle for Spain Park, got in on the scoring in the fourth when Vakakes put in the backfield to bull in over the top of the pile. His 1-yard touchdown run made it 37-6 with 9:45 to play.
“Geno is a big part of what we do,” Vakakes said. “He's just one of the hard workers, and he's just a staple of our program. … That's just a little way of showing a big guy some love.”
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