Sparkman gets defensive in road win over Huntsville
HUNTSVILLE – There’s an old sports saying that “defense travels.’’ The offense might sputter on the road in an unfriendly arena, but hardcore D should succeed away from home. Sparkman put that theory to the test Friday night.
The Senators scored in the first quarter, allowed a touchdown in the second, then pitched a shutout the rest of the way and claimed a 21-7 Class 6A, Region 4 win at Milton Frank Stadium.
The journey wasn’t very long from Harvest – if the traffic is fairly light these days – but Sparkman was playing in unfamiliar territory.
“The defense played lights out,” Senators head coach Ronnie Watson said after the game. “The offense finally got out of the mud.”
Sparkman (4-1, 3-0 region) had 385 total yards and held Huntsville (2-3, 1-2) to 97. Sparkman threw three interceptions but also recovered three fumbles.
Versatile senior quarterback/receiver Josh Naylon scored two TDs, the first on an 8-yard pass in the opening period from sophomore Daniel Maxtion. Huntsville responded with a short TD burst by senior Michael Chobey and the game was tied at 7-all heading into the second half.
Sparkman senior Waylon Marbury scored on an 11-yard run in the third quarter, Naylon scored on a 75-yard QB keeper in the fourth and the defense made it stand up.
Naylon only completed a single pass and tossed an interception but rushed nine times for 115 yards and caught five passes for 134 yards. Marbury rushed 30 times for 134 yards. Maxtion completed 8-of-14 for 146 yards and the one score with two interceptions.
Defensively, senior safety Kirlando Ayers, senior linebacker Amare Hicks and sophomore linebacker Karsen White all totaled seven tackles. Sophomore end Zayden Taylor-Anderson and senior lineman Zane Bradley both had two of the Senators nine tackles for loss.
Taylor-Anderson had 1.5 sacks and junior linebacker Justin Hatcher was credited with a half sack, sophomore Rex Rogers recovered two fumbles and junior lineman Justin Robinson had one.
“It’s always big when we’re playing Huntsville,” Watson said. “We knew we had to be more physical.”
Sparkman is one of just three of eight region teams playing this week when they return to Huntsville to take on Mae Jemison (2-2) in a non-region game on Friday at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.
The Senators kept pace with James Clemens (4-1, 3-0), which has a bye this week, for the region lead. Bob Jones (3-2, 2-1) is idle this week, then travels to Sparkman Friday, Oct. 2.
