By Lee Davis
Hoover’s football team has reached the point that every time it wins a game, an old streak is continued or a new record is set.
And that was true even before the Bucs met Prattville for the first-ever Class 7A championship at Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium Dec. 3.
Entering the game, Hoover was making its 13th appearance in a state title game in 14 years – a model of consistency virtually unmatched in any sport at any level. Additionally, the Bucs had won 39 consecutive games against teams from the state of Alabama. Hoover’s last loss to an in-state team came in the 2011 championship game when Prattville slipped by the Bucs 7-6.
If that wasn’t enough, a Buccaneer victory over the Lions would give the program its 11th football championship, tying it with Hazelwood for the most of any Alabama high school. That includes two championships for the old Berry High School under the late Bob Finley in 1977 and 1982.
With all this on its resume, didn’t it naturally follow that Hoover should be the first team to win a championship in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s new Super Classification?
It did – and it does.
The Buccaneers took care of business by dominating the first half and coasting home to a comfortable 35-21 victory, earning their first 7A title and third consecutive state crown.
Interestingly, Hoover coach Josh Niblett saw the victory as much more than another blue-mapped piece of hardware to put in the already-crammed school trophy case.
“It’s not just about a state championship,” said Niblett, whose seven-year record with the Bucs is a Sabanesque 96-8. “It’s really about getting up every day and making the most of what we do. We talk to the kids every day about winning the day. What we did in the past or future isn’t the focus. It’s what we do for this game that matters. All we talked about this week was, ‘Let’s be 1-0.’ That means do all we can to be successful in the challenge ahead.”
Some may say that sounds like The Process. Whatever you call it, the strategy worked.
Hoover took command almost immediately. With quarterback Jack Hutcheson at the controls, the Bucs marched 80 yards on 13 plays for a touchdown on their first possession. Hutcheson’s 7-yard pass to tight end Quincy Clark gave the Bucs a 6-0 lead with 5:37 remaining in the quarter. Hunter Schmith kicked the first of five extra points to raise the score to 7-0.
Prattville battled back. The Lions drove 78 yards into Hoover territory, facing a first and goal at Hoover’s 1-yard line. Prattville couldn’t pick up the yard needed for a touchdown in four plays as the Bucs’ defense produced an epic goal line stand. The setback may have taken a little steam out of the Lions.
After an exchange of punts, Hoover was knocking on the door again. Marcus Webb’s 26-yard scoring run gave the leaders a 14-0 margin with eight minutes to play in the first half.
The Bucs seemed on the verge of closing the deal early when Bradrick Shaw struck pay dirt from 5 yards out, giving his team a 21-0 advantage with just over two minutes remaining in the half.
Prattville may have been down, but the Lions weren’t out. Quarterback Keith Washington passed 50 yards to Seth Knotts for a touchdown to shave the lead to 21-7 with 1:24 on the clock.
At that point, Hoover used its own version of a hurry-up offense, traveling 80 yards in six plays to score. Shaw had runs of 20 and 8 yards, and Webb also ran for an 8-yard gain. The drive was climaxed by Hutcheson’s 41-yard touchdown toss to Leonard Wood in the final seconds of the half, bringing the margin to 28-7.
The Bucs turned more conservative in the third quarter, utilizing Webb and Shaw heavily on the ground to gain yards and run the clock. Hoover’s offensive line, led by Chance Pruitt, Nick Eldridge, Ziggy Arledge and Alex Horn, opened large holes for Hoover’s strong running backs. Shaw’s 20-yard run elevated the margin to 35-7 with five minutes to play in the stanza.
Prattville rallied for two late touchdowns to make the margin respectable, but the Bucs’ domination was never in doubt.
Webb finished with 153 yards on 22 carries to be named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Shaw added 101 yards on 19 carries.
“There’s not enough I can say about them,” Niblett said. “They are two of the most unselfish players I’ve ever been around and two of the best competitors I’ve ever seen.”
Webb completed the season with more than 1,100 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns.
Hutcheson, a senior, completed nine of 15 passes for 150 yards and two scores.
Shaw said Webb was deserving of MVP honors.
“Marcus deserved everything he got tonight,” Shaw said. “Marcus worked hard all year. He gained weight in the weight room and changed his entire work ethic. Without a doubt, he’s a great running back.”
Hoover opened the season with two losses to out-of-state powers before rebounding for 12 consecutive victories. The question remains: Now with its first Class 7A title under its belt, what does Hoover do for an encore?
Here’s an answer: Just keep on winning.
