Sparkman struggles in 29-7 loss to region rival Austin

HARVEST – Host Sparkman had a chance to avoid a second straight dubious 0-3 start and to get its first win in last Friday’s matchup against defending Class 7A, Region 4 champion Austin. For the first drive, at least, things looked promising.

However, that sentiment did not last long.

The Senators mounted a nine-play, 66-yard drive on their opening possession, but it ended at Austin’s 4-yard line on the first of two Braylon Lawson fumbles.

Later in the fourth quarter, with Sparkman trailing by 16 points and moving downfield on another impressive drive, a fourth-down incompletion dashed the home crowd hopes again.

Meanwhile, the Black Bears, who beat the Senators by just one point (31-30) last year, scored 19 consecutive points following Keaton Williams’ touchdown pass to Chad Reynolds for a 29-7 victory.

“You’ve got to execute when it’s important,” third-year coach Ronnie Watson said. “They executed more plays than we did.”

Trailing 10-0, Sparkman’s lone score came early in the second quarter. Williams connected with Reynolds for a 24-yard scoring pass down the left sideline and Daniel Gomez followed with the extra-point kick.

Sparkman’s only other legitimate scoring chance came midway through the fourth quarter.

Williams, who completed 12-of-22 for 151 yards, set up that drive with passes of 24 and 15 yards to Zayden Bodner. The most impressive play, however, came on a fourth-down heave downfield to Kameron Reynolds with the Sparkman receiver leaping high to bring down the ball between two Austin defenders.

“It’s a matter of keeping your eyes on the ball,” said Reynolds, who had five receptions for 68 yards. “It came into my hands and I made the play.”

That drive ended on a fourthdown incompletion.

Afterward, Watson was asked if he was concerned about a second straight 0-3 start.

“I’ll tell you after the last game,” he responded. “They’re all vital.”

Last year’s team rebounded to finish with a third straight 5-5 record and come within one victory of a playoff berth. That squad got things rolling by winning the fourth game.

Below are some photos from the Sparkman vs. Austin game by Steve Lee.