By Lee Davis
Journal sports writer
A classic game between two national powers ended with a worthy finish on a steaming hot Saturday afternoon.
Beymar Piraquive’s 32 yard field goal with 45 seconds remaining gave Miami Central a 24-21 win over Hoover at the Bucs home field in front of a national ESPN audience. The loss shattered Hoover’s 30-game winning streak. Hoover had done nothing but win since falling to Prattville 35-34 in the 2011 Class 6A state championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
As disappointing as the loss was to Buc supporters, surely it’s not the end of the world as we know it. The Rockets – just like Hoover – are ranked in the nation’s top ten, according to most polls.
“At the end of the day we stick together,” said Buc linebacker Darrell Williams. “We’re not down. We still have a lot of goals to reach. The streak wasn’t a concern. We’ll come in Sunday afternoon and go back to work.”
Hoover started as if it might make short work of Central. Jack Hutcheson’s 36-yard touchdown pass to Kris Parker gave the Bucs a 7-0 as the first quarter concluded.
The Rockets battled back in the second period when Cedric Miller hit paydirt on a 12 yard run with 6:31 remaining to play in the first half. The extra point sailed foul, so Hoover clung to a 7-6 halftime lead.
A scoreless third quarter set the stage for a wild final stanza. Central’s Anthony Jones – effective all day out of the wildcat formation – scored on a nine yard dash to give the visitors the lead for the first time. Piraquive’s kick put the Rockets ahead 13-7 with 11:29 left in the game.
Central added to the lead a short time later when Malik Akin scored from six yards away. A successful two-point conversion attempt gave the Rockets a seemingly-commanding 21-7 lead with 10 minutes on the clock.
But Hoover showed its mettle by striking quickly to get back in the game.
Hutcheson’s 46-yard scoring strike to Trey Bracket and Hunter Schmith’s second extra point with 8:46 left to play cut the advantage to 21-14.
Bradrick Shaw’s 19-yard touchdown run and Schmith’s conversion tied to score at 21-21 with 3:15 to go.
Hoover’s late explosion didn’t rattle the Rockets. Anthony Jones busted loose for a 46-yard run on the second play of Central’s drive, moving deep into Buc territory. The Rockets moved to Hoover’s 15 to set up Piraquive’s winning kick.
Hoover couldn’t rally.
Losing was a new experience for many of the Bucs, but their comments showed a renewed dedication.
“We have got to handle adversity,” said end Christian Bell. “I promise you that every single time we go on the field we will go hard.”
Hutcheson completed nine of 24 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Three interceptions hurt Hoover’s cause.
Shaw led Hoover runners, picking up 71 yards on 17 carries.
Central’s tandem of Jones and Miller spearheaded the Rocket attack, as the duo combined for 267 yards on the ground.
Things won’t get much easier for the Bucs this week. They travel to Georgia to face Colquitt County, led by former Hoover coach Rush Propst, before entering Class 7A Region Three play against Mountain Brook.
The Bucs’ 30-game winning streak may be history, there are plenty of goals waiting over the horizon.
