Hoover football finalizes 2016 schedule

Hoover released the remainder of its 2016 10-game football schedule on Monday, finalizing its region schedule after announcing out-of-region games last month.

The Bucs will open the season Aug. 19 in Montgomery's Cramton Bowl, against Central-Phenix City in the Champions Challenge. Central-Phenix City is led by Jamey Dubose, head coach of the Prattville teams that faced Hoover in the Class 6A state finals in 2008, 2009, and 2011.

The following week, Hoover travels all the way to Texas, where it will face football power Allen High School. Allen's home field, Eagle Stadium, holds roughly 18,000 spectators.

Home matchups in Class 7A, Region 3 include defending 7A champ Spain Park -- who knocked the Bucs from the playoffs last year -- and Huffman -- the lone addition to Region 3. Other home games include region foes Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills.

The Bucs will take to the road to face region opponents Tuscaloosa County (Sep. 16), Oak Mountain (Sep. 30), and Thompson (Oct. 21).

To round out the regular season on Oct. 28, Hoover will welcome Grayson (GA) to town for an cross-state contest.