No. 4 Hoover rallies past Vestavia Hills 20-14

Hoover, AL – The Hoover Bucs improved to 3-1 (2-0 in Class 7A, Region 3 play) with a dramatic, come-from-behind victory over rival Vestavia Hills (1-3, 0-2) Thursday night at the Hoover Met.  

The Rebels came out firing, recovering an onside kick on the first play of the game and paying it off with a one yard blast into the endzone by Houston Owens.  

The Bucs pulled even in the second quarter as Brewer Smith connected with Ahamari Williams from just outside the Hoover five yard line.  

Midway through the third, Vestavia regained the lead when William Tonsmeire pulled down a 13 yard touchdown toss from Luke Turner, who was making his first start under center for the Rebels.

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The Buccaneer offense came to life in the fourth with a pair of rushing scores.  Kamal Anderson broke free with 7:25 remaining, scampering into the endzone from inside the Rebel 10 yard line.  First year Vestavia head coach Robert Evans’ squad threatened late but Lamarion McCammon’s five yard rushing score with just over a minute to play put the game on ice for the fourth ranked Bucs.  

The win marked Hoover’s seventh straight victory over their Over the Mountain rivals.  It was the first for new Bucs head coach Wade Waldrop.  

Hoover signal caller Brewer Smith completed 15-of-26 passes for 133 yards.  Ahamari Williams lead the Buccaneer rushing attack with 55 yards on 17 carries and a second quarter score.  

Rebels quarterback Luke Turner finished the contest with 184 yards through the air, completing 24-of-41 passes and a touchdown.  His favorite target Keown Richardson hauled in eight receptions for 34 yards.  

Hoover travels to fifth ranked Hewitt-Trussville (3-1, 2-0) next Friday night in a battle of top five teams.  Vestavia returns to Hoover to take on the Spain Park Jaguars (1-3, 0-2).