Hoover advances to 7A quarterfinals with win over Sparkman

Hoover, AL – The No. 3 ranked Hoover Bucs (9-2, 6-1) punched their ticket to round two of the AHSAA 7A playoffs with a 21-3 win over the Sparkman Senators Friday night at the Hoover Met.

Bucs quarterback Robby Ashford returned after missing the last seven games with a foot injury. The Ole Miss commit completed 17-of-28 throws for 210 yards and three scores. Junior wide receiver Malik Thomas was on the receiving end of all three Ashford touchdown tosses in route to a six catch, 59 yard performance. Anthony Hays lead the Bucs on the ground with 14 carries for 63 yards. Joseph Davis lead the Hoover defense with a pair of sacks and a forced fumble.

The win marked Hoover’s twentieth consecutive victory in the first round of the postseason while running the Bucs record to 4-0 all-time against the Senators.

The Senators closed out Laron White’s third season in Harvest at 8-3, capping their most successful campaign since posting a 10-2 mark in 2006. Sparkman rattled off seven consecutive victories to begin 2019 before dropping consecutive region matchups with James Clemens and Florence.

Hoover continues their trek to Jordan-Hare next Friday night in the Tennessee Valley. Josh Niblett’s squad travels to North Alabama to take on Region 4 champ James Clemens (9-2, 7-0) at Madison City Schools Stadium. James Clemens is coming off a 21-20 victory over Vestavia Hills in round one. This will be the Bucs second meeting with the Jets. Hoover narrowly defeated JCHS 14-7 in 2016 in route to their 12th state title.