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Hoover linebacker Kaleb Jackson (1) signals to the crowd during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover kicker Peyton Argent (37) kicks off during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover linebacker Kaleb Jackson (1) stops a Thompson ballcarrier during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover wide receiver Freddie Dunson (2) tries to avoid a tackle after catching a pass during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover defensive back Keith Christein (2) makes a shoestring tackle during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover running back LaMarion McCammon (3) is brought down after a short gain during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) braces for contact during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover defensive back DJ Estes (5) brings down a Thompson running back during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover defensive back Jay Avery (3) goes high to pick off a pass in the end zone during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover running back LaMarion McCammon (3) looks for running room during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) eludes a tackler during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover defensive lineman Chaleb Powell (9) sacks the quarterback during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover defensive back Keith Christein (2) holds on to a ball carrier during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover defensive lineman Jordan Norman (4) looks down field after intercepting a pass during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover defensive lineman Jordan Norman (4) sprints towards the end zone during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover fans during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover running back LaMarion McCammon (3) looks for running room during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover fans during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover linebacker Kaleb Jackson (1) locks up with a Thompson offensive lineman during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover offensive lineman Ethan Hubbard (72) blocks during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Action during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover quarterback Noah Shubach (10) throws a pass during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover running back Jack Lamey (13) leads the blocking during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover defensive back DJ Estes (5) signals to the crowd during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Action during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover quarterback Noah Shubach (10) hands off to Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover defensive lineman Chaleb Powell (9) eyes the running back during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Julia Freeman
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Hoover Buccanettes during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover linebacker Kaleb Jackson (1) just misses a sack during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Action during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Action during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover defensive lineman Jordan Norman (4) pressures the quarterback during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover running back LaMarion McCammon (3) eyes a defender during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover quarterback Noah Shubach (10) prepares to throw a pass during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover running back Ahamari Williams (1) runs the ball during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover wide receiver Freddie Dunson (2) sprints downfield during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover linebacker Bradley Shaw (7) and Hoover defensive lineman Michael Nixon (43) team up to bring down a ballcarrierduring a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover offensive lineman AJ Franklin (64) readies for play during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al.. Photo by Barry Stephenson
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Hoover quarterback Noah Shubach (10) looks downfield during a game between Hoover High School and Thompson High School on Friday, Oct.21, 2022, at Thompson in Alabaster, Al. Photo by Barry Stephenson
ALABASTER -- The defense has carried Hoover High School all season long, and the unit was at its best in its biggest moment of the regular season on Friday night.
The Bucs, ranked No. 4 in Class 7A, shut out No. 3 Thompson on its home field, winning 9-0 to clinch the Region 3 championship.
Hoover’s scoring came on a 1-yard touchdown run by LaMarion McCammon on its first drive, and a safety when defensive end Andrew Parrish tackled Thompson quarterback Zach Sims in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Hoover (9-1, 7-0 in region), winners of nine straight after a season-opening loss, also got two big turnovers deep in its own territory. Jay Avery had a first-half interception in the end zone and defensive end Jordan Norman intercepted a pass in the third quarter and returned it 60-plus yards into Thompson territory.
Hoover also held Thompson (7-3, 6-1) out of the end zone after a third-quarter blocked punt where the Warriors recovered at the 7. The Bucs’ defense held tight and forced a field goal attempt, which went off the upright.
"They’ve been fun to watch all year,” Hoover head coach Wade Waldrop said. "I told them that they make me ill. When they lock in and do their jobs, they’re really fun to watch and tonight they did it on the big stage.”
Hoover, down to its third-string quarterback in freshman Noah Schuback, did enough in the run game to keep the clock moving against Thompson’s defense, which features Alabama commit Tony Mitchell at corner and Clemson commit Peter Woods on the defensive line. Schuback completed 6-of-15 passes for 53 yards. McCammon ran for 61 yards on 19 carries and Ahamari Williams, back from an injury, rushed for 49 yards on 15 carries.
Hoover’s defense also stuffed Thompson on fourth and short opportunities in the first quarter.
"They had about three chances where a penalty set them up, a turnover set them up and they just rose to the challenge,” Waldrop said.
The Bucs sacked Thompson starting quarterback Zach Sims five times and backup Trent Seaborn once.
“We were timing up the blitzes right and everyone was executing their stunts,” Avery said. "It made everyone look good.”
Hoover won the regular season region championship last year, but lost to Thompson in the 7A semifinals. The Bucs will be at home in two weeks to begin the playoffs.
This was the first time since Oct. 21, 2016, that Thompson has been shut out, and Hoover won that game 20-0.
"We’ve got to stay focused,” Avery said. "I think that’s what we lacked last year and in years previous. If we stay focused and keep this going, I think we can do big things.”
