Bucs host James Clemens in second round

The playoffs are about going 1-0 each week.

In order to win a Class 7A state championship, a team must go 1-0 four consecutive times.

For the Hoover High School football team, that’s one down, three to go.

The Bucs (9-2) defeated Bob Jones, 31-10, last Friday in the opening round of the postseason. The defense allowed double digit points to an in-state opponent for the first time all season, but it forced four interceptions in the performance.

Hoover has won all nine games against teams from Alabama this season, and hosts James Clemens in the quarterfinal round this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Hoover Met.

James Clemens, which defeated Spain Park 21-12 to advance, boasts a wealth of talent that is sure to challenge Hoover.

“They’re really, really good defensively,” head coach Josh Niblett said last week. “Our biggest thing is we have to worry about us. We’ll break them down and try to figure out what we’ve got to do to give our kids the best opportunity to win. It boils down to how we play. We can’t sit here and worry about how they play. Our kids understand that. They know the next round is going to be harder, tougher. That’s what it’s all about. That’s why you play in the playoffs.”

James Clemens’ roster features a handful of potential future Division 1 talent, headlined by LaBryan Ray and Khyriq McDonald on the defensive side of the ball.

“They don’t get any easier,” Niblett said. “Our kids understand that.”

Last week, Hoover quarterback Garrett Farquhar finished 9-of-20 for 127 yards and an interception. Larry McCammon rushed 15 times for 104 yards and a score. C.J. Sturdivant churned out 73 yards on 15 carries and found the end zone twice.

Cortez Hall caught four passes for 47 yards to lead the Bucs in receiving. Shedrick Jackson grabbed two passes for 56 yards, both in the first half.

Ben Abercrombie scored his first career touchdown on a pick-six.

Hoover and James Clemens have yet to meet in a game, but the Jets have advanced to the postseason for the third consecutive year, and are looking to win multiple playoff games in a single season for the first time.

- Gary Lloyd contributed to this story.