Bucs get back in win column, dominate Oak Mountain
HOOVER -- After three straight losses, Hoover High School got back into the win column in a big way Friday, defeating Oak Mountain 62-14 in a Class 7A, Region 3 matchup. The game had a little bit of everything for Hoover, as the Bucs scored on offense, defense and special teams to notch their second win in 2023.
After a dominant first half, in which the Buccaneers offense scored on every drive except for a missed field goal as time expired in the second quarter, Hoover scored four touchdowns in the third quarter despite only running one offensive play.
After building a 34-0 halftime lead, Hoover scored touchdowns on the four times the Bucs put a hand on the ball; a 64-yard punt return by junior JJ Moultrie, a 30-yard fumble recovery by linebacker Bradley Shaw, a 53-yard run by Kamal Amerson, and on a blocked field goal attempt return by Justyn Hartley as time expired in the third quarter. That gave Hoover a 62-0 lead after three quarters.
In the final frame, Oak Mountain managed two touchdowns.
“It was a crazy second half. We snapped the ball four times in the second half,” Hoover head coach Wade Waldrop said. “Offensively, we had a lot of guys we wanted to get in the second half, but we couldn’t do that because we didn’t have enough plays. Big plays and good effort on defense, though, and in the kicking game.”
Hoover and Oak Mountain came into the contest with 1-5 records, with Hoover’s only prior victory a region win over Spain Park on Sept. 8. Now with two wins in Region 3, the Bucs still have a chance to earn a playoff berth with a win or two over the final three region contests.
“Obviously, I’m proud of the win, a much-needed win. The phrase we’ve used all week is ‘good medicine.’ That was good medicine,” said Waldrop. “It’s a region win. We’ve got to find a way to get better and hopefully get a little more confidence.”
Hoover starting quarterback Noah Schuback played only the first quarter, completing 8-of-9 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, a 4-yard pitch-and-catch to Jordan Woolen, and a 70-yard toss to Jonah Winston.
Andy Howard started under center in the second quarter and completed 3-of-4 passing attempts for 46 yards, including a 27-yard-touchdown pass to Woolen.
Amerson led all rushers with 73 yards on five attempts and two touchdowns, followed by Chalmers Peters with 65 yards on seven carries and a touchdown. Overall, Hoover compiled 453 yards of total offense, 247 rushing and 206 passing.
Oak Mountain quarterback Will O’Dell completed 13-of-27 attempts for 125 yards and two touchdowns, one each to tight end Jackson Blackwell and wide receiver Walter Shook in the fourth quarter. Le’Kamren Meadows was the Eagles leading rusher, gaining 66 yards on 17 attempts, followed by O’Dell with 61 yards on 14 attempts.
With the loss, Oak Mountain falls to 1-6 and 0-3 in region play. First-year Eagles head coach Shane McComb said despite the loss, there are some positives the program can build on.
“This year is all about continuing to fight to the end, trying to get the program, get to a level of what it takes to be a winner in the future. That means you fight to the end and continue to get better every single week,” he said. “We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores out there. We’re going to learn how to win. We’re going to get there.”
Hoover will go on the road to face Tuscaloosa County in another key region game next Friday. Oak Mountain hosts Thompson in a region game as well.