No. 9 Hoover Routs Oak Mountain 59-13 in Class 6A Region 3 Road Win

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Ninth-ranked Hoover overwhelmed Oak Mountain from start to finish Friday night, piling up 602 yards of offense in a 59-13 Class 6A, Region 3 rout on the road.

The Bucs (3-2, 1-2) leaned on a balanced attack and a stingy defense that limited the Eagles (1-4, 0-3) to just 256 yards. Quarterback Kaleb Freeman set the tone through the air, completing 18 of 28 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns, while a deep stable of running backs found the end zone repeatedly.

Hoover Sets the Pace Early

Hoover jumped ahead 14-0 and never let Oak Mountain climb back into the game. The Bucs mixed a punishing ground game with big plays downfield, spreading the ball among eight different receivers who each caught at least one pass.

Blake Clark led the receiving corps with six catches for 119 yards, giving Freeman a reliable target all night.

Tolbert Answers, Freeman Responds

Oak Mountain finally broke through midway through the second quarter. Trailing 14-0, running back Kentrell Tolbert broke free for a 77-yard touchdown run with 11:49 left in the first half, cutting the deficit and giving the Eagles a spark.

The momentum lasted just 50 seconds. Freeman connected with Jordon Ward on a 93-yard touchdown strike, a back-breaking answer that restored Hoover’s command and quieted any thought of a comeback. Ja’myreion Dickerson added a 21-yard touchdown reception to keep the points flowing.

Ground Game Piles On

The Bucs turned to their backfield to widen the margin. Sophomore King Sims carried 12 times for 100 yards and a score, showing why he figures to be a centerpiece of Hoover’s offense for years to come.

Paxton Weatherly added 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, and Malik Boggan found the end zone twice while gaining 47 yards on five attempts. Albert Felder chipped in another rushing touchdown as Hoover’s depth wore down the Eagles.

Defense Locks It Down

Hoover’s defense matched the offensive output. Dorian Waluyn posted three tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, disrupting Oak Mountain’s efforts to sustain drives. Jamal Jones added three stops as the Bucs kept the Eagles off the scoreboard for long stretches.

Oak Mountain’s bright spot was Tolbert, who finished with 196 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. On defense, Cooper Campbell was busy all night with a team-high 11 tackles, and Okoye Walker recorded six stops for the Eagles.

Looking Ahead

Hoover returns home next week to host Knoxville Catholic before a marquee Region 3 showdown with top-ranked Thompson on Oct. 2. The stretch offers the Bucs a chance to build momentum before facing the state’s premier program.

Oak Mountain is off next week, giving the Eagles time to regroup before hosting Hewitt-Trussville in another region test. With a young season still ahead, the break arrives at a useful moment for a team searching for its first region win.