Hoover outlasts Hewitt-Trussville 24-23 in overtime thriller

Hoover, AL – The Hoover Bucs advanced to the Class 7A North semifinals with a 24-23 overtime victory over the Hewitt-Trussville Huskies Friday night at the Hoover Met.  

The undefeated and top ranked Bucs (12-0) will host a rematch with region rival Thompson next Friday night with the winner advancing to the 7A title game at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium.  Hoover knocked off Thompson 24-21 in the teams October 22nd meeting.  The Huskies, who were ridding a four game winning streak, ends their season at 9-3.

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Tied at 17 apiece going into the overtime period, Bucs quarterback Bennett Meredith connected with R.J. Hamilton to put Hoover on top 24-17.  Hewitt answered back, matching the Buccaneer touchdown as James Hammonds bolted into the endzone from five yards out.  Down by one, Huskies head coach Josh Floyd rolled the dice and lined up for a two-point-conversion with a trip to the semifinals on the line.  HT quarterback Cade Ott Carruth rolled out and targeted Jordan McCants in the endzone but Terrell Jones got just enough of the ball to jar it from McCants grasp.  The incompletion punched the Bucs’ ticket to the semifinals for 14th consecutive time.  

The Huskies drove deep into Hoover territory late in the fourth, with a chance to take the lead, until Bucs defender Cory Warren sacked Carruth to send the game to overtime.  

The Husky offense finished the night with a pair of 90 plus yard scoring drives.  On the defensive side of the ball they held the Bucs out of the endzone on three goal line stands.  

The victory is the Bucs 10th over the Huskies in the region foe’s last 11 meetings. 

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Meredith, a Northwestern University commit, passed for 188 yards, completing 23-of-37 passes with one touchdown and an interception.  Hamilton hauled in nine receptions for 103 yards and the game winning score.  

Carruth completed 17-of-25 passes for 187 yards with a touchdown and an interception.  Omari Kelly lead the Husky receiving corps with 95 yards on nine receptions.  

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