The #4 Hoover Bucs will travel to play #3 Thompson in a winner take all contest for the Class 7A, Region 3 title. Thompson holds a 3-2 edge in the last five region regular season games. Hoover won 24-21 at the Hoover Met in the region game, but Thompson won the semi-final playoff game 35-10 back at the Hoover Met last season.
Both teams are coming into the game on winning streaks. Hoover has an eight-game winning streak while Thompson has a seven-game winning streak. Hoover lost to Auburn to start the season, while Thompson lost to Bufford, Georgia and Lipscomb Academy, Tennessee in their first two games of the season.
Hoover (8-1, 6-0) comes into the game with one of the best defenses in the state. The Bucs have a lot of weapons on offense, but the one position where there has been a lot of change over has been the quarterback position this season. Senior Brewer Smith played in the Bucs' first game against Auburn but has been injured the past few weeks and will not play this Friday night. Junior quarterback Brody Stacey played two games a couple of weeks ago, but he has been out and could play this Friday. Freshman quarterback Noah Schuback has been forced into action the last two weeks and has played well.
Schuback was 3-of-6 passing for 19 yards against Tuscaloosa County and was 14-of-24 passing for 175 yards and a touchdown against Chelsea. However, this will be a different test if he has to play. Also, freshman Jonah Winston started against Auburn in game one and has played a little at receiver and quarterback the rest of the way. Winston is a dynamic runner when he gets a chance to run the ball.
At running back, the Bucs have a stable of talent. Senior Ahamari Williams has been injured the last two weeks, and junior LaMarion McCammon has been a difference-maker. McCammon had games of 249 yards with three touchdowns against Tuscaloosa County and 139 yards with two touchdowns against Chelsea last week. For the season, McCammon has 650 yards on 92 carries and eight touchdowns. Junior Kamal Amerson and sophomore Jacorry Hayes will get carries. Amerson started the previous game against Chelsea. Amerson has 269 yards on 57 carries and three touchdowns.
The wide receiver core is very talented. Jordan Woolen, KJ Law, and Fred Dunson are having great seasons. Woolen has 26 receptions for 334 yards with three touchdowns, while Law has 296 yards on 30 receptions and two touchdowns. Tight ends Jack Lamey, and Len Darius Wood are excellent blockers, and Lamey is an asset in the passing game.
Duke commitment Ethan Hubbard anchors the Bucs' offensive line. This group will be tested all night with the Thompson D-line. The Bucs' offensive line with Hubbard has Aj Franklin, Grant Bonner, Jackson Richard, and Tyrick Harris.
Kicker Peyton Argent, who was just invited to the Alabama All-Star team, is a big weapon for the Bucs. Argent has made 7-of-8 field goals this season. Argent handles the punting and kickoff duties while pretty much spotting the ball at the 20-yard line when kicking off.
The Bucs' defense has been steady all season. Hoover only gives up 9.1 points per game but only 7.3 during region games. The defense must play up to those standards if Hoover wins this game.
The defensive line has played well all season. Chaleb Powell, Jordan Norman, Michael Nixon, and Andrew Parrish will start in the game. Parrish and Norman will be a handful for the Warrior's offensive line. Also, Micah Hampton and Omarion Simpson will get playing time.
The linebackers are talented. Bradley Shaw and Kaleb Jackson are the best one-two combination in the state. Jackson leads the team in tackles with 56 on the season. Also, he has 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception. Shaw has 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception.
The secondary of Devan Carlisle, Dj Estes, Keith Christein, Jay Avery, and Braxton Urquhart has a lot of experience. Christein and Estes move all around the field and will be a blitzer from time to time. Avery will play centerfield and be an essential piece defending the Warrior's passing game.
Thompson (7-2, 6-0) has outscored their opponents 100-7 in the last two games and look to be hitting their stride on both sides of the ball. When Thompson scores below 20 points in a game, they are 2-2 overall.
Running the Thompson offense is Zach Sims. The junior quarterback has completed 85-of-135 passing for 1,152 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. Along with 189 yards on 39 carries and three touchdowns on the season. Trent Seaborn could get some playing time. He has completed 26-of-40 passes for 407 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He is going to be a special player when he gets his chance to start for the Warriors.
The running game has been very good the last half of the season. AJ Green has been electric. Green has 789 yards on 114 carries with 12 touchdowns. Also, he has 11 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown on the season. Michael Dujon is another good back for the Warriors. Dujon has 357 yards on 42 carries and five touchdowns so far this year.
The receiving core has speed and more speed. Korbyn Williams, Deuce Oliver, Kolby Hearn, and Bo Jones can make the big play anytime during a game. Williams has 32 receptions for 358 yards and five touchdowns, Oliver has 24 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns, Hearn has 15 receptions for 286 yards and a touchdown, and Jones two receptions for 79 yards.
The offensive line is led by Michigan State commit Stanton Ramil. Ryan Walker, Dylan Marquess, Stephen Lillich and Hunter Holtzman will be the starters. Add in tight end Jeffrey Kimochu and this is a very good run blocking line.
The defense is been solid all season long and have produced five interceptions for touchdowns on the season. The Warriors defense has only given up 8.3 points in region games so far this season.
The defensive line play of Clemson's commit Peter Woods creates a lot of pressure for opposing offensive lines. Woods, pound-for-pound is probably the best player in the state. His speed and quickness of the ball, along with his power on tackles, is just dominating. Woods has 53 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and six sacks on the season. With him is Caleb Ballard. Another player who stays in opposing backfields. Ballard has 51 tackles, 12 tackles for losses, and seven sacks on the season. Hayden McDonald, Jacary McCurry, and Dylan Campbell get playing time.
The linebackers have Seth Hampton, Jake Ivie, Kelby Taylor, and Jayden Davis. Hampton has 58 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a sack on the season. Ivie has 61 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and two sacks on the season.
The secondary has Alabama commit Tony Mitchell. Mitchell can play corner or safety, and it one of the most versatile players for the Warrior's defense. Peyton Lewis, Anquon Fegans, Jasiah Ward, and Kaleb Harris will play in the secondary. Fegans has seven interceptions and two interceptions for touchdowns on the season. Don't be throwing the ball his way. Harris is working his way back from an injury he suffered earlier in the season.
Thompson has created a lot of turnovers this season, and when they do, they usually take advantage of it on offense or defense. Hoover will have to play mistake-free for them to win the game. They will need to limit penalties and turnovers, something they have been struggling with times this season. It could be the first team to hit 20 points, or more should win the game on Friday night and win the region title.
