BESSEMER, Alabama -- The #1 Hoover Bucs scored touchdowns in all three phases of the game to defeat #7 Bessemer City 48-7 tonight in a big 6A region 5 game tonight. The Bucs looked like they had a step in their bounce during pregame and went on and scored on a kick return, three interceptions for touchdowns and a dose of the running game in the second half for the rout.

Hoover (6-0, 4-0) didn't waste anytime getting on the scoreboard as on the opening kickoff senior Marlon Humphrey went 83-yards untouched for the first score of the game. "Our special teams set the tone tonight," said Bucs Head coach Josh Niblett. "Anytime you play in big games, your defense and special teams usually play a part, a tonight we made some big plays in those two areas." Special team touchdown, check. Bucs lead 7-0. At the end of the first quarter, Bessemer City had a change to get on the scoreboard but missed on a 39-yard field goal.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Bessemer City (5-1, 3-1) took over after a Bucs punt but on the first play from scrimmage, corner P.J. Hall stepped in front of a Tigers pass and returned it 35-yards for a Bucs touchdown. Defensive touchdown, check. Bucs lead 14-0. In the first five games of the season, the Bucs defense has been getting stops but not many turnovers and that trend changed tonight. "Defense had some scores tonight that I challenged them all week," added Niblett. "We have to get some takeaways with some points. They had a couple of drives on us but we stiffened up. Those pick six scores were big to us. I'm proud of our effort in our kids tonight."

With 8:26 left in the half, Bessemer City drove the ball and missed another field goal, this time short 26-yard field goal. With 2:38 left in the half, Bessemer City forced another Bucs punt and on a first down play by the Tigers, Bucs defensive lineman Malcolm Cox picked off a 21-yard pass and returned it down the left sideline for a Hoover score. At the half, Bessemer City had 198 yards of total offense, missed two field goals, and had three costly turnovers. The Tigers defense held Hoover to only 85 total yards in the first half.

In the second half, the Bucs offense put it into gear and out came the Hoover run game. Early in the third quarter, junior Bradrick Shaw scored on a 19-yard touchdown run. Offensive touchdown, check. Hoover takes a 28-0 lead. On the Bucs next possession, Hoover scores again on a 2-yard run by Kyler Jackson. The Hoover lead now is 35-0. Shaw gets into the end zone again when on a 39-yard touchdown run. "We started off slow on offense in the first half," said Shaw. "I think we did a better job in the second half, our offensive line started getting a good push. My adrenaline just took over and I wanted to get into the end zone." Shaw finished the game rushing for 136 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.

With 2:19 left in the third quarter, Bessemer City get on the scoreboard for the first time in the game when Letraveon Armstrong hit Marcus Key on a 40-yard touchdown pass play. "We made some mistakes early," said Tigers Head coach Martez Edwards. "Were going have to get back in the lab and correct our mistakes and we will see this team down in the playoffs."

The Bucs defense scores again when Tyren Spurling picks off a Tigers pass for a 55-yard touchdown interception return. "I just had to take the opportunity when I saw the pass come my way," said Spurling. "I just had to get into that end zone."

Bessemer City did a good job of moving the ball as they had 375 total yards compared to 255 yards for the Bucs. Hoover had its problems with penalties as they had 12 for over 100 yards causing them issues on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers plagued themselves with the four turnovers, three of those went for touchdowns.