Hoover Advances to the Second Round for the 25th Consecutive Season With Win Over Fairhope

HOOVER, AL – The No. 2 ranked Hoover Buccaneers secured a decisive 35-10 victory over the Fairhope Pirates in the opening round of the AHSAA Class 7A playoffs Thursday night at the Hoover Met.

Under the leadership of first-year head coach Chip English, the Bucs improve to 9-2 and continued their impressive streak, marking the 25th consecutive year they’ve moved beyond the first round of the postseason.  

Hoover set the tone early, scoring on their initial possession with a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mac Beason to receiver Jeremiah Tabb. The duo struck again two drives later as Beason and Tabb connected for a 32-yard score, extending the lead to 14-0.

Fairhope responded with a spark on the following drive, narrowing the gap to 14-7 after a 53-yard touchdown toss from Jackson Robertson to Bryon Martin.

Hoover answered back with a methodical drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown run by AJ Allen. At the end of the first half, Fairhope’s missed 50-yard field goal attempt was redeemed by a penalty call, allowing a successful 34-yard field goal to bring the score to 21-10 in favor of the Buccaneers. 

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Following a scoreless third quarter,  Hoover extended their lead at the start of the fourth with a 4-yard touchdown run by JR Mosley. Allen put the game on ice with an electrifying 62-yard touchdown run, securing Hoover’s spot in the second round and sending Fairhope back to the Eastern Shore with a 5-6 record.

Hoover signal caller Mac Beason ended the game with 189 yards, completing 14-of-25 passes, throwing two touchdowns, and one interception while adding 26 rushing yards on six carries. JR Mosley carried the ball 17 times for 83 yards and scored a touchdown, while Jeremiah Tabb caught four passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns. AJ Allen dominated the ground game with 146 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

For Fairhope, Jackson Robertson completed 9-out-22 passes for 208 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Fisher Southall was a key target, catching four passes for 106 yards, and Bryon Martin contributed with a 53-yard touchdown grab.

Looking ahead, the Region 3 champion Bucs advance to the Class 7A quarterfinals, where they await the victor of Friday night’s round one matchup between the Opelika Bulldogs and the Florence Falcons.