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Photo by Erin Nelson. Starnes Media
Hoover running back/wide receiver Lamarion McCammon (11) runs the ball as he puts an arm out to block North Gwinnett cornerback Taylor Smallwood (16) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover running back/wide receiver Lamarion McCammon (11) runs the ball in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover quarterback Bennett Meredith (3) runs the ball as he looks to make a play in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) takes the ball to the end zone in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. The Bucs defeated North Gwinnett 38-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover quarterback Bennett Meredith (3) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) takes the ball to the end zone in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. The Bucs defeated North Gwinnett 38-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover linebacker Terrell Jones (7) jumps to block a throw by North Gwinnett quarterback Ethan Washington (2) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. The Bucs defeated North Gwinnett 38-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) takes the ball to the end zone in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. The Bucs defeated North Gwinnett 38-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver Cotton Peters (12) runs the ball as he’s trailed by the North Gwinnett defense in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover head coach Josh Niblett calls a play from the sideline in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover defensive lineman Andrew Parrish (44) and Hoover linebacker Terrell Jones (7) rush North Gwinnett quarterback Ethan Washington (2) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover quarterback Bennett Meredith (3) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover’s Jacob Lundy (18) stops North Gwinnett quarterback Ethan Washington (2) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
The Hoover student section holds up a sign after the Buccaneers score during the opening season game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. The Bucs defeated North Gwinnett 38-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver Cotton Peters (12) runs the ball downfield in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover tight end/fullback Sky Niblett (6) carries the ball in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver Cotton Peters (12) catches a pass from Hoover quarterback Bennett Meredith (3) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover tight end/fullback Sky Niblett (6) carries the ball in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover quarterback Bennett Meredith (3) looks to make a play in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover inside linebacker Kamal Amerson (24) and Hoover safety Paul Thompson (2) tackle North Gwinnett quarterback Ethan Washington (2) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover outside linebacker Josh Carter (30) tackles North Gwinnett quarterback Ethan Washington (2) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover quarterback Bennett Meredith (3) makes the handoff to Hoover running back/wide receiver Lamarion McCammon (11) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver Cotton Peters (12) catches a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver Cotton Peters (12) catches a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover inside linebacker Kaleb Jackson (10) and Hoover defensive lineman Markus Clark (9) move in to tackle North Gwinnett quarterback Ethan Washington (2) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver KJ Law (19) takes the ball downfield to score in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver KJ Law (19) takes the ball downfield to score in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover safety Jay Avery (3) tackles North Gwinnett quarterback Ethan Washington (2) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) runs the ball in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) runs the ball in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver Cotton Peters (12) points up after scoring a touchdown in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver KJ Law (19) takes the ball downfield to score in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) runs the ball in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover inside linebacker Kaleb Jackson (10) and Hoover defensive lineman Markus Clark (9) move in to tackle North Gwinnett quarterback Ethan Washington (2) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover quarterback Bennett Meredith (3) makes the handoff to Hoover running back/wide receiver Lamarion McCammon (11) in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hoover wide receiver Cotton Peters (12) catches a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown in the Buccaneers opening game against North Gwinnett (Ga.) during the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Photo by Erin Nelson.
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Hoover High School football team crossed the state line and, after a couple shaky possessions to start the game, asserted itself as the superior team.
Hoover (1-0) pummeled North Gwinnett of Georgia 38-14 in the Corky Kell Classic on Saturday evening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
“I saw exactly what I thought I’d see, playing to a standard that we demand every day of ourselves and accountability,” Hoover head coach Josh Niblett said following the game. “That’s a tough team with a lot of really, really good players.”
North Gwinnett (0-1) quarterback Ethan Washington broke free for a 73-yard touchdown on the game’s third play to give his team a quick 7-0 lead. Hoover’s first drive featured two drops by the wide receivers and resulted in a quick punt.
From then on, the Bucs dictated the proceedings. Hoover was the first team from outside of Georgia to be invited to the season-opening event, and put forth a terrific showing.
New Hoover quarterback Bennett Meredith — who transferred from Spain Park — threw the first of three first-half touchdowns on the Bucs’ second drive of the game. He hit Cotton Peters on a short ball and Peters took it the distance for a 44-yard score to tie the game at 7-7.
KJ Law broke free after catching a bubble screen from Meredith, scooting 82 yards to the house to give Hoover a 14-7 lead.
The next time Hoover had the ball, Meredith found a wide open Peters in the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown. Lamarion McCammon then hauled in a long pass to set up Meredith’s 4-yard scramble, as the Bucs extended the lead to 28-7.
“You could see the nerves on the first drive, we had two dropped passes, but we came back and executed after that. We all played with good energy. That’s what happens when we play with good energy,” Meredith said.
Peyton Argent booted a 40-yard field goal and North Gwinnett struck on a long pass to make it 31-14 at the half.
The only scoring of the second half came from Ahamari Williams, who burst up the middle for a 34-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Hoover dominated a North Gwinnett team that won nine games last fall, despite having about five starters out due to injury.
One of those starters was electrifying receiver RJ Hamilton. Despite not having his top target, Meredith finished 16-of-26 for 333 yards and the three touchdowns. Peters was his go-to guy on the night, as he hauled in seven passes for 137 yards.
“He did a really good job of protecting the football,” Niblett said. “He did a really good job on third down. Our guys did a good job of getting open. When we were able to take some shots, he didn’t miss. We dropped a couple early that we’d like to have back but that’s part of it.”
Williams had a big game in his own right, rushing for 118 yards on 14 carries. Niblett raved about his offensive line for creating the push up front and holes for Williams to plow through.
Hoover’s defense, in its first game under new coordinator Chad Merrill, played extremely well outside of the two big plays it allowed for touchdowns. North Gwinnett gained 293 yards of offense, but over half of that came on two plays.
Jeremy Cook intercepted a pass in the third quarter that set up Hoover’s final touchdown and nearly picked off another one later in the game. Paul Thompson, Terrell Jones and Corey Warren each had four tackles in the game to lead the Bucs. Markus Clark and Michael Nixon each registered a sack, while Jones and Andrew Parrish finished with a half sack each.
Meredith said Mercedes-Benz Stadium ranks at the top of places he’s played. The Bucs handled changing circumstances well, with limited warmup time and a kickoff over an hour later than originally scheduled.
“We were super excited just to get out to Atlanta and play some different competition. This is the best of the best, it doesn’t get any better than this,” he said.
Next week, Hoover plays another team from the state of Georgia. The Bucs will host Alpharetta, which is coached by former Hoover offensive coordinator Jason Kervin.
