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Photo by Neil Fonville
Hoover Football
Hoover's Jayden Jordan (22) stretches out for an interception in the third quarter in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Photo by Neil Fonville
Hoover Football
Hoover's Kam Ford (2) scores a touchdown in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Garrett Farquhar (16) is called for intentional grounding, resulting in a safety in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
The Hoover band practices in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Allen's Brock Sturges (15) runs with the ball in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Allen's Kirby Bennett (45) is tackled by Hoover's Will Singleton (4) in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Allen's Michael Ewton (89) kicks a field goal in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Allen players celebrate in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
The Hoover band performs at halftime in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
The Hoover band performs at halftime in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Vonte' Brackett (5) takes the handoff in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Garrett Farquhar (16) drops back to pass in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Kam Ford (2) catches a pass in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Ben Abercrombie (30) attempts to tackle Allen's Kirby Bennett (45) in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Ben Abercrombie (30) attempts to tackle Allen's Kirby Bennett (45) in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Garrett Farquhar (16) throws a pass in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Jayden Jordan (22) an Kholbe Coleman-Abrams (55) attempt to recover a fumble in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's R.J. Randle (9) is tackled in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover's Jimmy Turner (19) and Shaw Niblett (86) celebrate a reception in the first quarter in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
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Hoover Football
Hoover's Garrett Farquhar (16) throws a pass in the Tom Landry Classic game between Hoover and Allen on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas.
The Hoover High School football team came up empty in the Tom Landry Classic, falling 25-7 to Allen High School at Eagle Stadium on Friday night.
“Tonight was just one of those nights,” head coach Josh Niblett said. “You hate to say that and it’s corny, but it is what it is.”
The Bucs (1-1) scored on their opening drive of the game to take a 7-0 lead, as Garrett Farquhar hit Kam Ford on a slip screen that resulted in a 16-yard touchdown.
After that, though, the offense failed to score again and hardly threatened. Allen’s defensive line was stout, not allowing C.J. Sturdivant or Vonte’ Brackett much room to operate, as they finished with 35 and 37 yards, respectively.
The passing game struggled as well after getting off to a hot start. Faruqhar finished the night 12-of-31, for 134 yards and a score.
Allen capitalized on the ensuing possession following Hoover’s touchdown, as Brock Sturges scampered 23 yards up the middle for the score.
Michael Ewton showed off an impressive leg for the home fans, as he booted three field goals in the game, of 48, 47 and 32 yards.
Allen took a 10-7 lead into the break, but the Eagles broke through for consecutive big plays late in the third quarter to extend the lead.
Michell Jonke connected with Tenio Ayeni for a 42-yard gain, and on the play, hit Josh Cornell on an 8-yard slant to give Allen a 20-7 advantage.
“We just didn’t put any pressure on them,” Niblett said. “The only pressure we put on them is when we went (up) 7-0. You have to make plays. I thought our defense played well enough to win the game. When you play in games like this, everybody’s got to play their A-game, and we didn’t tonight.”
Of note on defense, Christon Taylor wreaked havoc in the backfield, racking up a handful of sacks and tackles for loss.
Hoover was the first out-of-state program to compete in the Tom Landry Classic, now in its 17th year. Niblett said the team was ready “emotionally ready” and had energy, but just failed to capitalize on opportunities.
Allen head coach Terry Gambill was coaching his first game as the head man of the Eagles, and did not put any additional weight on playing a team from Alabama.
“Any time we play, we want to win,” he said. We did exactly what we wanted to do tonight. We won.”
Niblett also emphasized the opportunity the Bucs had to participate in the game.
“I want us to soak this in,” he said. “We need to take this in. There was a lot of sacrifice and hard work to put this thing together.”
Hoover plays its home opener next week against Mountain Brook, at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
