Senators roar back in final minute

Saturday, October 08, 2005

By JOHN FERRY

Times Sports Staff jferry@htimes.com

PELHAM - Sparkman High football coach Roger Haynes could see it coming, as it had in earlier in the season against Pell City and Austin.A defeat that came late in the game.Oak Mountain had intercepted two Whitney McKinney passes, responding with a touchdown after the first one and taking over after the second with just 2:03 remaining on Friday night. In a stunning turnaround, Sparkman avoided defeat at Heardmont Park.The Senators allowed Oak Mountain just three plays, then put a 10-man rush against punter Ryan Shoemaker. Several Senators could have blocked this one, and Taron Ryce did, then raced down to grab the ball around the 5 and run it into the end zone.Sparkman went on to a 13-10 victory.The Senators improved to 4-3 and are 3-1 on a five-game road trip that will end Friday at Florence."We fought and never gave up," Haynes said. "We had to adjust to their speed. We challenged them at halftime and played really well on defense in the second half."Linemen Albert Rocker and Jaimal Payne were singled out by their coach for defensive play. McKinney also credited the defense."Our offense was horrible," he said. "It was our worst game there. Our defense kept us in the game." Sparkman had one first down at halftime and trailed 3-0 after a 48-yard field goal by Shoemaker.The Senators struck suddenly in the third quarter when McKinney found Josh Brown open across the middle on a play that turned into a 65-yard touchdown. Michael Kitchens kicked the extra point for a 7-3 lead.The score looked like it might stand up until Alex Foreman intercepted McKinney with 7:53 to play, and Oak Mountain set up at the Senators 33. Nine plays later on fourth down, Nick Anderson took a pitchout from quarterback Richie Fordham and passed to John Cubelic for a 6-yard touchdown. Shoemaker kicked the point and Oak Mountain (5-2) was ahead 10-7 with 4:23 remaining.Sparkman then ran six plays before Trent McKnight intercepted McKinney at the Oak Mountain 43. The Eagles were third-and-3 at the 50, then were set back by a 5-yard penalty and a 6-yard loss on third-and-8.There was 1:09 to go. On the next play Ryce settled the issue with his blocked punt.Oak Mountain played without top rusher Zack Fowler, who injured a knee last week."It was a lack of execution at times in several phases," Oak Mountain assistant coach John Pledger said. "We have played a lot better on offense. A late offsides penalty can kill you against a good team like Sparkman."The Senators lost Bryant Williams to a hamstring injury on their first offensive play. Lineman Wes Goode went down in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.Oak Mountain's James Hope ran 15 times for 100 yards.

4th

Passing

• #2 McKinney 6-15 115 yards 1 TD 2 Int

Punting

# 22 Jusmon Rivers- 7 punts - 38,37,38,30,25,40,24

33.1 yard average.

Rushing

• # 5 Ryce 6-17
• # 11 Burns 3-8
• # 36 Williams 1-7
• # 37 Richardson 4-6
• # 27 Elston 6-5
• # 22 Rivers 8-4
• # 42 Garrot 1-4
• # 2 McKinney 3-4

Receiving

• #13 J.Brown 2-76 TD
• #20 Deloney 3-20
• #22 Rivers 1-19

Sparkman

Oak Mountain