MOUNTAIN BROOK, Alabama -- The Hoover defense scored two first half touchdowns to give the Bucs a 34-10 win over Mountain Brook in a key Class7A, Region 3 game at Spartan Stadium Friday night. The Bucs offense was shut out in the first half, but came back and scored 24 second half points to go on for the win.

Hoover (8-1, 6-1) will go on and play Sparkman, the #3 seed in Region 4 while Mountain Brook will travel to Florence to play the #2 seed in Region 4. The Hoover defense played an incredible game and they continue to get defensive touchdowns as they have six on the season and created three Mountain Brook turnovers tonight.

With the Bucs having four starters out for this game that hasn't bothered Hoover and their winning ways. "Just relentlessness, our word this week was pursuit," said Bucs head coach Josh Niblett. "To God be the Glory, God has blessed us and I thank him for the staff I have and the players I have. We never wavered and we never flinched. Our defense kept us in the game early and made some big plays. We felt like we needed to spread the ball out a little bit more. Get some isolation in the box and out of the box. We started playing with good tempo. It is the next man up. We want to play with no excuses and no regrets. I like that our defense is playing with end edge. We are getting better in the box and we are good on the backend. We have to continue to play fast."

Mountain Brook (7-2, 5-2) could not get their usual ground game going as Hoover played very well in the box. "We're better than this right here," said Spartans head coach Chris Yeager. "We are a better football team than what we played tonight. The team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins."

The Bucs defense scored first in the game when safety Kory Chapman picked off a Spartans pass and raced 27-yards for a Bucs touchdown. With the score, Hoover led 7-0 with 6:48 left in the first quarter. "I made a great play on the ball and the rest is history," said Bucs DB Chapman. "We look at film all week and see what they do and made a play on the ball. The defense is on fire right now. We are flying to the ball and having fun. We take it one week at a time." Chapman had an interception, fumble recovery and a sack in the game.

Mountain Brook responded to tie the game when Sam Higgins scored on a 6-yard touchdown run with :28 seconds left in the first quarter. With the Spartans touchdown, the game was tied at 7-7.

With 4:38 left in the second quarter, Mountain Brook took the lead on a Atkins Roberts 28-yard field goal. With the Spartans score, they led 10-7 late in the first half. With 3:08 left in the half, the Bucs defense scored again on an Aarren Smith fumble recovery and return of 25-yards for the touchdown. With the score, Hoover retook a 14-10 lead going into halftime.

In the second half, the Hoover Bucs offense found their rythem. Mountain Brook fumbled the opening kickoff and Hoover recovered. A few plays later, Anthony Hayes scored on an 8-yard touchdown run around the right end for the score. Hoover led 21-10 with 11:31 left in the third quarter. With 4:55 left in the third quarter, Hoover scored on a Josh Lundy to "Freight Train" Hayes on a 28-yard touchdown pass play. Hayes ran over a defensive player at the 15-yard line and continued into the end zone. With the score, Hoover led 28-10. 

"We fight to the end and play four quarters," said Bucs RB Hayes. "We had a bad half for the offense, but picked it up in the second half. Coach told us to come out and play hard from the beginning and our team did that. I was pleased the way our offense played in the second half."

With 11:53 left in the fourth quarter, Lundy hit RJ Hamilton on a 17-yard touchdown reception and the Bucs led 34-10 early in the fourth quarter.

The Bucs defense was salty getting five quarterback sacks on the night. "I feel that the defense is always up to the challenge," said Bucs DL Samuel Suswam. "We like it when we are up against a wall, when the pressure is on us. This is amazing for us to come here and get the win when it is their homecoming and playing for that number two seed."

Lundy completed 13-of-23 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns while Hayes had 15 carries for 87 yards with a rushing touchdown and a 28-yard receiving touchdown.

Up next for both teams, Mountain Brook will travel to Gardendale while Hoover will host IMG Academy.