Hoover Slips Past Oak Mountain 24-21 to Advance to the 7A semifinals

Hoover, AL – The second ranked Hoover Bucs (11-1) held off the Oak Mountain Eagles 24-21 to advance to the 7A semifinals Friday night at the Hoover Met. 

The Bucs overcame a 13-0 deficit and a late game surge to notch their 19th consecutive victory over the Eagles.  The win sets up a much anticipated rematch with the defending champion and No. 1 ranked Thompson Warriors (12-0) next Friday night in Alabaster.  The Warriors knocked off Hoover 39-23 three weeks ago in the teams regular season meeting.  

Eagles standout signal caller Evan Smith finished the night with 217 yards rushing on 28 carries including a pair of scores.  He completed 1-of-4 throws for two yards.  Running back Judah Tait chipped in 105 yards on 25 attempts. 

Bucs quarterback Josh Lundy competed 10-of-13 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns.  R.J. Hamilton was Lundy’s favorite target hauling in five catches for 171 yards and a pair of scores. 

Hoover is making their 13th consecutive trip to the AHSAA semifinals it will be the Bucs’ 20th trip to the semis’ in the past 21 years. 

Oak Mountain closes their 2020 campaign at 7-5 in a season that was highlighted by wins over Shelby County rivals Chelsea and Pelham and region victories over Gadsden City, Vestavia, Spain Park and Tuscaloosa County.  The Eagles upset the 9th ranked Austin Black Bears 41-28 in the first round of the postseason giving Cris Bell’s squad their first playoff win since 2014.  

The Bucs trek to Bryant-Denny continues next Friday night, on the road at Thompson’s Warrior Stadium in what has become an annual semi-final meeting between the two 7A powers.  The Warriors are riding a three game winning streak over the Bucs, including two of the last three AHSAA 7A North semifinal showdowns.