Top Ranked Bucs Squeak Past Mountain Brook

Hoover extends it’s in-state winning streak to 41 with win at Spartan Stadium.

Kade Olsen | PrepsNet

Mountain Brook, AL : With under five minutes to play, the defending state champion Hoover Bucs in-state winning streak, stretching more than three seasons was in serious doubt.

The top ranked and heavily favored Bucs jumped to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter behind scores through the air from Christopher Vaccarella to Cortez Hall and Vonte Brackett.

A four yard strike from Connor Adair to Harrison Pyburn pulled Sparty to within seven heading into the break.

Coming out of the half the Spartan defense stood tall stalling the Buc offense and holding Vaccarella in check.  Late in the third, deep in Buccaneer territory MB defensive back Zach Carroll picked up a Galen Richardson fumble and scampered into the endzone, tying the game a 14 a piece with just over 15:00 to play.

Midway through the fourth, Hoover defensive back P.J. Hall picked off an Adair pass handing the ball back to Vaccarella and the Hoover offense.   With three timeouts remaining, Josh Niblett was content to pound the ball through a winded Spartan defense.    Vaccarella handed the ball off to Junior running back C.J. Sturdivant every play of the Bucs go ahead drive.

A final Buccaneer defensive stand iced the victory for Hoover, the programs 41st consecutive against in-state squads.

Up Next: Hoover will travel to Heardmont Park to take on the Oak Mountain Eagles while Chris Yeager’s Spartans travel to Alabaster to face the Thompson Warriors.