By ERIC STARLING/For the Reporter

ALABASTER — The Thompson Warriors hosted the Hoover Bucs in the first home game of the season and the first game in the newly renovated Larry Simmons Stadium.  The celebration didn’t last long for the home team as the Bucs put 56 points on the board before the Warriors got their single score late in the game.

From the very start of the game, the Warriors found themselves under pressure from the Bucs. On offense, quarterback, Zach Brammer, was under duress, while attempting to look long enough for him to find receivers and on special teams, David Buckelew was pressured all night and hit on numerous occasions.

Thompson’s first possession resulted in a three-and-out and on the punt, and the Bucs got a piece of the kick and started their first drive at the Thompson 18-yard line.  It took just three plays for Bradrick Shaw to punch it in from seven yards out.

A deflected Brammer pass was intercepted by Darrell Williams and returned 20 yards for the Bucs second touchdown in the first quarter.

Hoover scored on three of their next four possessions and carried a 35-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.  The Warriors struggled to move the ball, as they were unable to achieve a single first down in the first half.

The Bucs started where they left off in the second half and pushed the score 56-0 in the fourth quarter.

Thompson got their best field position of the night late in the fourth and after their first first down of the night, they were sitting first and 10 from the Hoover 44-yard line.  Jordan Haywood handed off to Patrick Haywood on an end around play. Haywood scampered 44-yards for the touchdown, giving Thompson its first score of the night.  The point after attempt was no good.

Thompson will have a bye Oct. 3 week to regroup and prepare for the second half of the season while Hoover travels to Spain Park Oct. 2.