With a spot in the Alabama High School Athletic Association state championship game – and a 26-game winning streak – on the line, Julia Rose came through again for the Vestavia Hills flag football team.

The state record-holder for passing yardage and touchdowns found her favorite target, Alexis Rubin, for an 8-yard touchdown with 4:58 left in the final period and her clutch throw to Caroline Nintzel for the extra point lifted the Rebels to a 20-19 comeback win over Spain Park.

The PAT was a do-over after the home team was called for offensive pass interference on its first try for the win on Wednesday at Buddy Anderson Field at Reynolds Stadium.

The Rose-to-Rubin connection completed Vestavia’s rally from a 13-0 first-quarter deficit and lifted the 28-1 Rebels into the Class 6A/7A title game on Dec. 3 at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium against two-time defending champion Central-Phenix City (19-0). Vestavia Hills is riding a 27-game win streak while the Red Devils haven’t lost in 56 consecutive games.

“I can’t say enough about Julia Rose,” Vestavia head coach Daniel Davis said. “She willed us to the win. She was not going to be denied.

“We knew we had to battle,” he said. “We stuck to the game plan and our kids made plays.”

Rose added 288 yards to her state record 6,617 passing yards and her 3 touchdown passes pushed her record for TD throws to 121. The senior completed 18-of-40 passes against a swarming Spain Park defense.

“We didn’t want to lose in this game,” Rose said of the win over last year’s Class 6A/7A runner-up. “We have a special group and we want a state championship. I knew that we could win today.”

Spain Park got its early lead behind a pressing defensive front. Freshman Libby Gray and senior Josie Gray harassed Rose into several mistakes. The Jaguars grabbed the lead when Rory Payton intercepted Rose and ran 44 yards for a touchdown.

“We knew that she (Rose) doesn’t do well under pressure,” Spain Park coach Carmen Starr said. “Our game plan was to pressure her and it was working for most of the game.”

Jenna Kate Hutchison put Spain Park up 13-0 when she hit Abby Whatley with a 10-yard scoring pass in the opening period.

Rose found Molly Mac Sharp for a 15-yard touchdown to narrow Spain Park’s lead to 13-6 at the half and hit her again for 10 yards in the third quarter to tie the game at 13.

Facing a fourth-and-10, Hutchinson found Whatley on a 10-yard touchdown pass to put Spain Park on top 19-13 with 2:35 left in the third quarter. The Jaguars’ senior quarterback finished 22-for-42 for 186 yards.

“They are a great team,” Starr said. “But we didn’t make the plays on offense when we needed them.”

Kate Fitzpatrick and Rubin had interceptions for the Rebels in the win, which was Vestavia’s third over its Region 5 rival this season.

This post will be updated.