HOOVER, Alabama -- In one of the best cross-town rivalary games in Alabama, the Hoover Bucs defeated the Spain Park Jaguars 21-10 at Jaguar Stadium in our Friday Night Game of the Week. The Bucs wanted to bring home the bragging rights as the Jags toppled Hoover last year, but Hoover had something to prove on this night. Defense!
The Bucs defense was stingy as they kept Brock Bradley uncomfortable in the pocket for most of the night. "That was a word floating around," said Hoover head coach Chip English. "Who's the toughest. Tough people find ways to win. We proved that tonight."
Last year, Spain Park won 39-37 in a shootout, but that wasn't going to be the game we had this year, and the Bucs' defense had something to prove. "We played lights out tonight," said Bucs defensive lineman Tyson Bacon. "I honestly think we can do better. We came together as a team. I want to be a team player, doing my job effectively."
Hoover (1-1) scored first in the game. With 3:20 left in the first quarter, Kaleb Freeman found Jeremiah Tabb on a 22-yard touchdown pass, and Tabb finished off the play soaring high in the air and snatching the ball away from the defender, something he has done for the second game in a row. With 7:36 left in the second quarter, Freeman hit Jonah Winston on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone, and the Bucs took a 14-0 lead.
Right before halftime, the Jags had their best drive of the first half, but had to settle for a Garrett Hoffman 25-yard field goal. Hoover led 14-3 at halftime, and the Bucs' stingy defense played a huge role in the first half. "We came out and got a couple stops," said Bucs linebacker Trey Sanders. "We knew coming into this game we had to do a lot of film study, getting ready for some of their trick plays. The defense is a 'we bend but don't break' mentality. Hoover/Spain Park is a big rivalry, so we wanted to take it back this year."
The defenses were dominating in the third quarter, but at the start of the fourth quarter, Spain Park received a spark when Bradley hit Kena Rego on a long pass down the middle that set up the Jags' only touchdown of the game. With 10:08 left in the fourth quarter, Bradley scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, and the Jags only trailed 14-10.
With 6:35 left in the game and the Jags driving again, Hoover defensive back Caden Smith picked off a Jags pass and raced the ball to midfield, but a penalty brought it back into Bucs territory, and Hoover had the football late in the game. The Bucs offense converted a few key third-down plays with Tabb and Winston receptions, and that brought the ball deep into Jags territory. With 2:29 left in the game, Freeman found a wide-open Anderson Clark in the end zone for a Bucs score. With the touchdown, Hoover led 21-10.
The Jags raced down the field late in the game and was deep down in Bucs territorry with 1:14 left in the game, Bradley scrambled on the play and saw a receiver in the back of the end zone, but Hoover receiver turned defensive back Winston stepped in front of the play and made the interception in the end zone for a touchback and pretty much ended any chance for Spain Park. "We are a hard-working team that is never going to give up," said WR Winston. "This is a dog mentality that's been with me since I was a little boy. Last year, they put me in that same situation. I gave them big plays, but this year, I had to make a statement. That this is our city, and I was the one, the best athlete in the world, so I had to make it known today."
Bucs quarterback Freeman had a solid night, completing 15-of-18 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns. “He came in, didn't play a perfect game, but when we needed him, he stepped up. I thought he took care of the ball and found the open receivers when we needed them. So again, you find a way to win,” English said.
Trey Sanders led the Bucs defense with 11 tackles on the night. Jovon Pulliam, Jordan Williams, and Jarrett Goldsby all ended up with six tackles. Hoover will face Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa at the Hoover Met next Friday night.
