The number-one ranked Hoover Bucs were too much to handle for Pelham friday night as the Panthers watched a close first half slip to a 38-14 loss.

After a slow start, the Bucs dominated both sides of the ball, holding Pelham to 167 yards of total offense while racking up 245 yards rushing.

Most of Pelham’s offense came in the first two quarters of play.

Chase Armstrong connected with junior wide-receiver Montez Billings for a big play early in the first quarter to put the Panthers in scoring position, but Pelham couldn’t punch it in and then had a field goal attempt blocked.

Hoover scored two touchdowns before Pelham was able to cut into their second quarter lead.

Armstrong again found Billings, this time for a 9-yard touchdown, capping off a 70-yard drive that sent the Panthers to the half trailing 14-7. But Pelham never got any closer as Hoover (3-0) came out strong in the second half.

Hoover added three touchdowns and a field goal while Pelham’s only other score came in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run by Wes Holland.

The Bucs ran and passed the ball effectively against the Pelham defense, compiling 453 yards of total offense.

The defending 6A state champions handed Pelham (1-2) their second loss in a row after a come-from-behind victory over rival Thompson in week one