1 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Robby Ashford (16) throws a pass during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
2 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Robby Ashford (16) steps back to make a play during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
3 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Robby Ashford (16) runs the ball during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
4 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Seth Parker (9) tackles Cocoa’s Lakota Wojciechowski (84) during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
5 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Constantine Hontzas (38) punts the ball at the start of a game between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) in the Freedom Bowl on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
6 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Marcus Williams (5) brings down Cocoa’s Caziah Holmes (8) during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
7 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Cooper Tullo (12) runs the ball during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
8 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Messiah Tolen (4) runs the ball during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
9 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Robby Ashford (16) looks to make a play during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
10 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
The Hoover High School marching band performs during halftime in the Freedom Bowl between the Hoover Bucs and Cocoa (FL) Tigers on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
11 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
The Hoover High School marching band performs during halftime in the Freedom Bowl between the Hoover Bucs and Cocoa (FL) Tigers on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
12 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
The Hoover High School marching band performs during halftime in the Freedom Bowl between the Hoover Bucs and Cocoa (FL) Tigers on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
13 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
The Hoover High School marching band performs during halftime in the Freedom Bowl between the Hoover Bucs and Cocoa (FL) Tigers on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
14 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
The Hoover High School marching band performs during halftime in the Freedom Bowl between the Hoover Bucs and Cocoa (FL) Tigers on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
15 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
The Hoover High School marching band performs during halftime in the Freedom Bowl between the Hoover Bucs and Cocoa (FL) Tigers on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
16 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Jamari Buye (2) is brought down by Cocoa’s Dajavon White (44) and Cedrick Hawkins (21) during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
17 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Jamari Buye (2) catches a pass during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
18 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Members of the Hoover defense bring down Cocoa’s Caziah Holmes (8) during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
19 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Jamari Buye (2) is brought down by Cocoa’s Dajavon White (44) and Cedrick Hawkins (21) during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
20 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Team captains, Hoover’s Luke Godwin (74), Hoover’s Constantine Hontzas (38) and Hoover’s Kory Chapman (3) walk out to midfield for the coin toss in the Freedom Bowl against Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
21 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Dylan Pauley (5) runs the ball into the end zone during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
22 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Dylan Pauley (5) runs the ball into the end zone during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
23 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Robby Ashford (16) turns to make the handoff to Hoover’s Messiah Tolen (4) during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
24 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover and Cocoa (FL) in the Freedom Bowl on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
25 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Dylan Pauley (5) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
26 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Jamari Buye (2) is brought down by Cocoa’s Dajavon White (44) and Cedrick Hawkins (21) during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
27 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Cooper Tullo (12) runs the ball during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
28 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Cooper Tullo (12) runs the ball on the return during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
29 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Cooper Tullo (12) catches the ball on the return during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
30 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Marcus Williams (5) takes down Cocoa’s Caziah Holmes (8) during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
31 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Dylan Pauley (5) runs the ball toward the end zone during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
32 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover’s Robby Ashford (16) looks to make a play during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
33 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
The Hoover Bucs cheerleaders rally fans during the Freedom Bowl between Hoover and Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
34 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover team captains, Luke Godwin (74), Constantine Hontzas (38) and Kory Chapman (3) meet at midfield for the coin toss in the Freedom Bowl against Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
35 of 35
Photo by Erin Nelson Starnes Media
Hoover team captains, Luke Godwin (74), Constantine Hontzas (38) and Kory Chapman (3) meet at midfield for the coin toss in the Freedom Bowl against Cocoa (FL) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Milton High School in Milton, Ga. Hoover defeated Cocoa 37-23. Photo by Erin Nelson
MILTON, Ga. -- He could have scampered out of bounds.
Instead, Robby Ashford lowered his left shoulder into the Cocoa High School defender standing in his path.
The decision only allowed Hoover High's star quarterback to gain an extra yard or two on a short run in the second quarter, but it encapsulated the Bucs' mentality on Friday night.
They never settled in a 37-23 victory over Cocoa (Florida) at the Freedom Bowl, a three-day event held in a suburb north of Atlanta that pits some of the best high school football programs from around the country against each other.
"Our mantra is just go out and dominate and, I mean, we're going to do whatever it takes," Ashford said. "If I have to run over somebody to get extra yardage, then I'm going to do that. That's just how I play."
Hoover (2-0) fell behind early, allowing Cocoa to march 66 yards down the field on its opening possession. Tigers quarterback DJ Arroyo zipped a 9-yard pass on the drive's 13th play to give his team a 7-0 lead.
Arroyo started the game by completing 8-of-9 passes for 44 yards as the engineer of Cocoa's uptempo offense. But Hoover's defense buckled down. After surrendering a field goal on Cocoa's second possession, the Bucs kept their opponent off the board until they were up big in the fourth quarter.
"I think once we made some adjustments, were able to put some pressure on their quarterback a couple of times, and then match their routes in coverage, we made some plays defensively and got some stops," Hoover head coach Josh Niblett said.
Ashford started the game slower than Arroyo, missing on his first three passing attempts. Then, he flipped a switch.
On Hoover's second drive, Ashford spiraled a 50-yard pass to Jamari Buye that put the Bucs at the Cocoa 4-yard line. Running back Dylan Pauley rumbled in for a score on the next play.
Pauley and fellow running back Anthony Hayes helped Hoover turned a 10-6 deficit after one quarter into a 30-10 halftime lead. Hayes scored on runs of 8 and 19 yards in the second frame, while Pauley added a 16-yard touchdown.
"I've got probably the best backfield in the state, the best O-line in the state," Ashford said.
A 42-yard field goal from Constantine Hontzas, the hero of last week's 17-14 win over Central-Phenix City, gave Hoover a 20-point edge at the break.
Massiah Tolen extended the Bucs' lead in the third quarter with a 65-yard rushing touchdown. Tolen paced his team with 82 yards on four carries. Hayes totaled 70 yards on four carries.
Hoover pulled its starters, including Ashford, late in the third quarter when it held a 37-10 lead. Ashford finished 11-of-19 for 137 yards.
"I think as a quarterback he's continually growing and he's understanding how his energy is infectious with everybody else," Niblett said, "so I was proud of him tonight and I was proud of what he was able to do as a quarterback."
Cocoa added a pair of late touchdowns, but they weren't enough to influence the game's outcome.
Next Friday, the Bucs will open Class 7A, Region 3 play at Thompson. It will be the teams' first meeting since Hoover's narrow loss in last year's state semifinal.
"It's just about us being 1-0 next week," Niblett said.
Click here to purchase photos from the game.
