A lot of talk about this being the year. The year to knock off the defending state 7A champions, the Hoover Bucs. With Hoover needing to replace a lot of starters from last season and not having a lot of starting experience this season, the Bucs looked like it could have a blemish or two on their record this season. With five games so far this season, Hoover stands at 5-0.
With this game against Spain Park, Hoover has won 13 games on the field against the Jaguars and before the season this game looked like it could be the year for Spain Park because of the talk. Could this be the season to break the streak? "Just like everybody else, I'm sure they think that this is their year," said Bucs Head coach Josh Niblett. "We take on that challenge just like we do every week. This is no different for us this week."
Spain Park comes into this game at 4-1 on the season. The Jaguars lost their opener to Austin in three overtimes. Spain Park is currently riding a four-game winning streak along with knocking off Hewitt-Trussville in their last game. "I think we have gotten better since we went up to Austin and lost that first game," said Jaguars Head coach Shawn Raney. "The last four weeks, we have improved in the areas we needed to improve in. Our attitude has been great. I don't know if a lose ever helps you, but I thought we responded very well to that game and that game against Hewitt was a huge game for us. We get to see where we are Thursday night against the best program in the state."
The Jaguars look to two running backs to get the offense starting. Wade Streeter is one of those guys that Spain Park likes to get the ball in his hands. "Wade is a character kid, one of the hardest workers that I have every been around," added Raney. "He is a football, baseball kid. Starts the day at 6:00 am to begin his workout so he doesn't miss anything with football. Great to see a kid like that be successful in high school." Streeter has 476 yards on 105 carries with seven touchdowns this season.
Larry Wooden gives Streeter a blow and their isn't much drop off when Wooden touches the football. "We have based our offense on these two guys," said Raney. "That is what we have done in those first five games." Wooden has 272 yards on 65 carries with three touchdowns.
At quarterback, Joey Beatty runs the Jaguars offense. Spain Park likes to get you in the run game, then go over top with the big plays in the passing game. "Joey is one of those players that gets the most out of his ability, a very smart player," said Raney. "He does exactly what you want him to do with the ball. He has only two turnovers in five games. He doesn't try to force the ball. He is a good enough athlete if it is not their he can tuck it and run. Just a great leader on offense that the kids look up to." This season, Beatty has completed 56-of-83 passes for 729 yards with four touchdowns and only one interception.
Beatty has weapons to turn to if he needs to throw the football. Bridge Suber (198 yards on 16 receptions), Thomas Jordan (160 yards on 13 receptions and a TD), Willie Green (130 yards on 11 receptions and a TD) and Wooden (205 yards on 13 receptions and a TD.)
The Jags defense has been good this season. They have two shoutouts against Hueytown and Tuscaloosa County this season. Jonah Tibbs is a three-year starter up front that has 12 tackles and one TFL this season. Markell Clark has been another defensive lineman, who transferred in from Georgia, has played well this season. With those lineman taking on blockers it has opened up linebacker Houston Hollis to make some big plays for the defense. Hollis has 35 tackles and four tackles for loss in five games. Another linebacker playing well is Perry Young, another three-year starter for the Jags. Young has 35 tackles with four TFL this season.
Against Austin, there were some problems in the secondary that Spain Park has made some changes and have improved in that area. The Jags are solid in the front seven but it could be a big test for the Jags secondary against the Hoover big play. The special teams have been real good with kicker Crosby Gray who has made some big kicks for the Jaguars.
For Hoover, the Bucs have a lot of first year starters in the skill position but these guys are getting to play pretty good through the first half of the season. The one area for concern for the Bucs has been penalties. Hoover has 58 penalties for 508 yards while their opponents only have 32 penalties for 266 yards. "We have to be a little more discipline with penalties," added Niblett. "We have been shooting us in the foot some. He need to be a little more consistent on offense. When we can keep that good tempo on offense, we can be really, really good."
The offense has been in good hands with quarterback Chris Vacarella. "I've been really excited about about Chris, he is still learning the game," said Niblett. "He is learning to be a student of the game more and more. Watching film and knowing what to look for has been good, him learning the game. Physically he can make every throw in our offense but he can turn a five yard gain into a touchdown with his feet. If we have a break down in protection, he can find his way out of trouble and make a play. There is no substitute for that and he has done a great job of taking care of the football." This season, Vacarella has completed 74-of-122 passes for 875 yards with seven touchdowns and only one interception along with 177 yards on 33 carries and four touchdowns.
Vacarella has his own weapons to go to when the ball goes in the air. Jimmie Johnson has been a big target for the Bucs offense. "Jimmie is a high energy guy with a lot of passion with a lot of great work ethic," said Niblett. "Great attitude with great body language. Works hard in practice and is an unbelievable kid. He has great speed with being a big physical player. He understands the offense and knows his skills and give us opportunities to do well on offense." Johnson (21 receptions for 206 yards with two touchdowns), Cortez Hall (14 receptions for 164 yards with two touchdowns), Quincy Cox (11 receptions for 189 yards with two touchdowns) and Shedrick Jackson (7 receptions for 163 yards with one touchdown) lead the Bucs receivers.
The offensive line has been solid with Nick Eldridge. Eldridge is a three-year starter on offense and is the glue for a good offensive line this season. Dalton Nelson is a two-year starter for the Bucs.
You know the offensive line has played well because the Bucs have a stable of running backs that have been productive. CJ Sturdivant (345 yards on 55 carries with four touchdowns), Vonte Brackett (155 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns), and Galien Richardson (126 yards on 30 carries) lead the way for the Hoover ground game.
The Hoover defense has been very good only giving up 69 points in five games for a 13.8 points per game average. "We have been pretty good on defense," said Niblett. "We have given up a few big plays, we have to do a better job of taking care of that." The defensive leader is Jeremiah Moon. "Jeremiah is a young guy that we needed to get some good reps for him," added Niblett. "He was thrown into the fire as a sophomore and was a lot more physical last year. This year he is our leader that has to make plays, get guys in the right spots lined up and continue to play hard and he has done that for us. He practices the same way he plays. Shows great professionalism that you are supposed to take on as a senior." Moon has 24 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and a half of a QB sack on the season.
Kholbe Coleman is another linebacker with high energy that can get to the football. Coleman leads the team with 25.5 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two QB sacks. Defensive tackle Taures Payne (23 tackles) and linebacker Christon Taylor (22.5 tackles) have played well so far this season. In the secondary, PJ Hall has two interceptions for the Bucs. Hall can take out half the field in the secondary and can find the football very quickly when the ball is in the air.
A game can be lost in the kicking game, but it hasn't been a problem for the Bucs. Barret Pickering is 3-for-4 in field goals with a long of 37 yards. In kickoffs, 21 of his 25 kicks have been touchbacks.
This could be a special game Friday night between two great schools and football programs.
