Bucs face Tuscaloosa County after rivalry game

Hoover and Tuscaloosa County have been region foes since 2012. In each of the five meetings since that time -- including one playoff matchup -- the Buccaneers have beaten the Wildcats comfortably, to say the least.

Tuscaloosa County is much improved under first-year coach Bart Sessions, winning the first two games. But the start of Class 7A, Region 3 play has brought two straight losses, and Hoover will do anything in its power to make that three straight.

The Bucs will have to avoid the letdown temptation following a big win over rival Spain Park last week, after the Jaguars won both games the teams played against each other last fall, the only two times the Jags have won in the series' history.

Last week, Vonte' Brackett led Hoover with 61 yards rushing on four carries. Fellow running back C.J. Sturdivant totaled 55 yards on 14 carries. Through the air, Garrett Farquhar went 18-of-28 for 167 yards and one interception. Cortez Hall hauled in five receptions for 62 yards, and Shedrick Jackson caught five passes for 47 yards.

On defense, Hoover defensive back Chase Brown snagged two interceptions, and linebacker Kholbe Coleman-Abrams tallied 10 tackles, as the Bucs forced four turnovers.

"We've got to continue to keep getting better, continue to take it to another level and grind and do what we do," Hoover head coach Josh Niblett said. "These kids are going to do that. They love what they do."

If the Bucs win, they will move to 3-0 in Region 3, putting them in a prime spot halfway through the regular season.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Tuscaloosa.