Sparkman notches third straight win, ready to host Bob Jones
HUNTSVILLE – Sparkman put a forgettable start to the high school football season behind them with its third straight win on a rain-drenched Thursday night in the Rocket City, giving the Senators an extra day to start thinking about their arch rival.
Class 7A Sparkman defeated host 6A Mae Jemison 31-7 in a non-region game at Milton Frank Stadium to pull even at 3-3 for the season. The Jaguars fell to 2-4.
The victory left the Senators feeling confident with Bob Jones coming to visit in the first of four 7A, Region 4 games to end the regular season. Sparkman enters the backstretch seeking a postseason berth starting with the Patriots, followed by James Clemens, Grissom and Florence.
“We just went three-and-oh,’’ Senators junior defensive lineman/edge Jamarius Matthews said as the team put an 0-3 beginning in the rearview mirror. “We’re just looking to continue the win streak and just keep going. We’ve got the region now. We’ve got Bob Jones (to start thinking about Friday). It’s gonna be a big game, a good game between us two. So we’re just looking to win that game and go forward now.’’
Matthews had a sack and three tackles for loss. His teammate, senior Jabari Davis, scored three rushing touchdowns.
“It’s starting to come together,’’ he said. “We’re starting to come together as a brotherhood. We have our eyes on one goal, just to win the region, and I have faith in all my guys and my coaches that we’re gonna do our thing.’’
On a wet night that limited offenses in the passing game, Sparkman ground out a sound victory after trailing 7-0 to end the first quarter. A steady rain then moved in, but the Senators shook it off and led 14-7 at halftime and 21-7 entering the third.
Jemison scored on a 2-yard run by Tavarian Moore-Langford in the opening quarter. In the second, sophomore Keaton Williams threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior Jonathan Rozier and Davis went in from the 3. Davis scored from the 4 in the third quarter, and in the fourth senior David Faulk kicked a 33-yard field goal and Davis later took it home from the 11.
Sparkman out-gained Jemison 209-135 with 177 yards on the ground. Junior Emmanuel Armstong had an interception for the Senators.
The Jaguars were penalized 15 times for 164 yards, including eight times for 15 yards. The Senators were flagged nine times for 70 yards.
Sparkman now looks toward Bob Jones. “We just gotta get those three phases,’’ Sparkman head coach Ronnie Watson said. “Once we get where we’re hitting all cylinders on offense, defense, and special teams, we’re gonna be dangerous.’’
