Bucs defeat Hillcrest, prepare for Minor

Excellent coaching decisions and a third-string, sophomore quarterback led the Hoover Bucs to a 28-6 win over Hillcrest of Tuscaloosa.

The Bucs (7-0) started senior Jason Burton at quarterback because of an injury to Jake Hutcheson. When Burton was injured on the game's third play, the job fell to a tenth grader, Christopher Vacarella.

When the first two drives with the young quarterback resulted in turnovers, Hoover Head Coach Josh Niblett decided to stay with his young leader. Vacarella settled down and led the Bucs to a convincing victory, a continued winning streak and his place in the history of Bucs football.

Another key coaching decision came late in the first half, when Niblett called a reverse-receiver pass from Hagan Scott to Alex Elam. The 61-yard pass gave Hoover the lead at halftime, along with critical momentum.

Hoover ran away in the second half, which was punctuated by an 82-yard Marcus Webb touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Next week, the undefeated Bucs place their No. 1 ranking on the line as they travel to Minor.