Changing the Narrative: Jaguars Searching for a Winning Script After Recent Struggles

Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes with from left, Jamari Moseley, Landon Huey, Brock Bradley, and Derick Shanks.

By Rubin E. Grant

The Spain Park Jaguars have fallen on hard times in recent years.

The Jags have not made the state playoffs since 2017 and have endured five consecutive losing seasons, including a 3-7 record in 2022 in Tim Vakakes’ first year as the head coach.

Vakakes is more than ready for a different script.

“I think we’ve got a chance,” Vakakes said. “We’ve got some good players who are tired of losing. We want to change the narrative, to go out and get the dial turned the other way.”

For that to happen, Vakakes said, the Jags have to win close games.

“Against some teams we just couldn’t get over the hump,” he said. “A lot of that has to do with believing you can win. There are teams in our region who expect to win and that’s a big part of why they win. We’ve got to get there. We’ve got to turn every game into a legal fistfight.’

Vakakes is trying to instill toughness in the Jaguars while competing in Class 7A, Region 3.

“The Hoovers and Thompsons know how to win,” Vakakes said. “It’s bred in them. We’ve got to get there. These kids are not going to be scared of whoever is on that other sideline.”

Spain Park has six starters returning on offense and six on defense as it attempts to end its playoff drought. Here’s a position-by-position rundown to the 2023 Jags.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Senior Evan Smallwood has graduated, but Vakakes is high on 6-foot-0, 175-pound sophomore Brock Bradley.

“He has a chance to be special,” Vakakes said. “He has everything you want in a quarterback. He’s a good athlete. He can throw it and he can run it, and he’s got a little bit of moxie.”

Bradley already has offers, including from Texas A&M, West Virginia, UAB, Memphis, Arkansas State and Troy.

Junior Eli Smallwood, the younger brother of Evan Smallwood, will serve as Bradley’s backup.

Running Backs

Brothers Derrick Shanks, a senior, and Dakarai Shanks, a sophomore, will carry the load. Derrick is coming back from wrist surgery, but Vakakes expects him to be completely healthy once the season starts.

“We’ve got a couple of freshmen and we can put a defensive back or wide receiver back there, but they are our primary guys,” Vakakes said.

Receivers

Senior Jonathan Bibbs will be Bradley’s primary target. He’s gotten a few offers from NCAA Power 5 conference schools.

Senior Logan Brownlee and Reggie Jackson, a 6-3, 190-pound junior who is the nephew of Bo Jackson, are also in the mix.

“They’ve got a chance to go out there and make plays,” Vakakes said.

Senior Cam McFarlin will play tight end. “He’s 6-4, 215 pounds and has gotten a lot more physical and stronger,” Vakakes said.

Offensive Line

Senior tackles Hudson Cahalan and Connor Langston are returning starters along with junior center Jackson Bell.

A trio of players – senior Clete Ponder and juniors Jayden Craig and Jovan Taylor – are battling for starting guard spots.

“We’ve got those six guys, but I feel like we’ve got some young guys capable of stepping up to provide depth,” Vakakes said.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Junior defensive end Jared Smith (6-6, 240) is being recruited heavily by Power 5 schools. 

Junior tackle Nik Alston (6-3, 255) also is attracting attention from Power 5 schools. He’s the younger brother of Brian Alston, who graduated and signed with Arkansas State last year.

Senior Josh Lewis also plays tackle, while senior Jacob Olsen is the other edge rusher.

Sophomore Christian Smith (6-2, 200) will serve as a backup to Smith and Olsen at defensive end.

Linebacker

Senior Landon Huey is a returning starter at inside linebacker and the defensive leader. Senior Chase Wolsoncroft and junior John Higginbotham also will play inside linebacker.

Junior Noah Hendrix, sophomore E.J. Kerley and senior Jacob Roe will be in the mix at outside linebacker along with junior Kam Stevenson.

Secondary

Senior Jamari Mosley is a returning starter at cornerback, but the other starting spot is up for grabs. 

“We’ve got a couple of guys we’re working at corner, and they’ve gotten better,” Vakakes said.

Seniors Kelby Roberson, Tyler Walker and Keynote Robinson will man the safety position.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior Alex Lloyd and junior Josh Tulloss will handle the kicking chores.