HOOVER, Alabama -- A big defensive play before halftime turned the momentum to give the Hoover Bucs a 38-20 win over Vestavia Hills on Friday night. With Hoover leading by three points late in the first half and Vestavia Hills driving inside the Bucs 35 yard line, defensive lineman Tyson Bacan grabbed the Rebels quarterback, and Justyn Hartley intercepted the pass to return it for a Hoover touchdown to go up 24-14 and change the momentum in the game.
In the second half, Hoover outscored Vestavia Hills 14-6 in the second half and really wasn't that close as the Rebels scored a late touchdown. "I saw a lot of fight, and I know it wasn't a clean game, but I'm proud of my guys staying focused," said Bucs RB JR Mosley. "This means everything to us. It felt good getting a statement win since we fell short last year."
Vestavia Hills (4-5, 4-3) scored first in the game. With 9:44 left in the first half, Carson Mann ripped off a big touchdown run on 39 yards, and the Rebels took an early 7-0 lead in the game. Hoover, though, came right back. With 5:19 left in the first quarter, senior Anthony Allen scored on a 22-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.
On the Rebels' next possession, they got into the red zone, but the Bucs' defense forced a negative play on fourth down and turned the ball over to Hoover. Both teams turned the ball over, and with 4:13 left in the second quarter, Matthew Daibes kicked a 26-yard field goal, and Hoover took a 10-7 lead.
Vestavia Hills came right back on their next possession. With 3:19 left in the half, Luke Stubbs scored on a reverse pass play from 29 yards out, and the Rebels took a 14-10 lead. Hoover came right back before the half when Allen scored on an 8-yard touchdown run with only 1:25 left in the first half, and Hoover led 17-14. On Vestavia Hills' next possession, the Hoover defense made the defensive play of the night to give the Bucs a 24-14 halftime lead.
Early in the third quarter, defensive back Jeremiah Tabb picked off a Rebels pass, and with 5:24 left in the third quarter, Hoover struck again. This time, Mosley scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, and Hoover led 31-14. With Hoover driving again on their next possession, Mac Beason hit Marii Towns on a 6-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone, and Hoover led 38-14 with 1:58 left in the game.
The Rebels scored their only second-half touchdown with 5:37 left in the game on a 21-yard touchdown run by Bruce Littleton.
