Hoover sails past Bessemer City 62-0 in home opener

Hoover, AL – The third ranked Hoover Bucs (2-0) dominated Bessemer City (0-2) from bell-to-bell in route to a 62-0 shutout over the Purple Tigers Friday night at the Hoover Met. 

The win marked the Bucs’ sixth consecutive home opening victory and their seventh straight over the Purple Tigers.  

Dylan Pauley put the Bucs on the board early, storming into the endzone from just outside the Bessemer five.  Senior signal caller Josh Lundy tossed four touchdown passes on the next four Buccaneer drives connecting with Isaac Lovejoy for 17 yards, R.J. Hamilton for 41, Pauley for 8 and Malik Thomas for 36. 

Ahamari Williams extended the Hoover lead, capitalizing on a Paul Thompson interception, scoring from the Purple Tiger 10.  Brian Porter put a bow on the first half for the Hoover offense, adding a score from just outside the five.  

Hoover added a pair of scores in the final two frames, both on runs from inside the Tiger 10.  The first a four yard scamper by Jaylen Taylor, the last a D.J. Black seven yard run. 

Senior quarterback Josh Lundy finished the contest with four touchdown passes, to four different receivers, completing 9-of-12 throws for 178 yards despite only playing two quarters in the contest.   D.J. Black lead the Hoover rushing attack with 68 yards on seven carries.  Malik Thomas made three catches for 61 yards to lead the Buccaneer receiving corps.  

The Bucs travel to arch rival Vestavia Hills (0-0) next Friday night to take on a Rebel squad who will be kicking off their season after completing a COVID-19 quarantine.  The Bucs have won 12 of the last 13 matchups against their neighbors to the north. 

Bessemer City was scheduled to begin 6A Region 4 play against the Hueytown Golden Gophers but the Gophers were forced to forfeit the contest due to COVID precautions.  The Purple Tigers are slated to return to the gridiron September 11th on the road at Northridge.