Hoover holds back Spain Park

Published 2:31 am Saturday, October 4, 2008

One of the county’s youngest rivalries continued to be rather one-sided Friday night, as Hoover won a shootout with Spain Park, 34-24 at Jaguar Stadium.

Spain Park received the ball to start the game, and they quickly took it down field. A touchdown pass from Hunter Walker to Jake Lee put the Jags up 7-0 less than three minutes into the game.

Hoover answered quickly, much like they did against Oak Mountain one week earlier. After a long pass from Simon Propst to standout wide receiver Josh Magee, the Bucs put the ball in the end zone on a 20-yard touchdown run, knotting the score, 7-7.

The Jags and Bucs traded the next two possessions. But the defensive struggle would cease for a quick 59 seconds.

Spain Park kicked a field goal with 0:59 left in the first quarter to take a 10-7 lead.

Hoover didn’t wait long to answer. On the first play of their next drive, Propst again connected with Magee, this time for a 78-yard touchdown, to put the Bucs ahead, 14-10, at the 0:13 mark of the first quarter.

Spain Park had a quick answer of its own. On its next possession, DaRon Smith broke loose from a pile of defenders for a 72-yard touchdown run, putting the Jags back on top 17-14 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw a return of strong defense. Hoover missed a field goal at the 8:20 mark, but they scored a late touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Propst to Trevino Carr. Hoover would go to the half leading 20-17.

Hoover took the second half kickoff all the back for a touchdown to extend their lead to 27-17.

After a Spain Park punt, the Jaguar defense gave the team a spark. Spain Park defensive back Taylor Hopkins intercepted Propst’s pass and returned it to the Hoover 25-yard line.

After the interception, the teams’ emotions kicked in. Hoover was penalized for two dead ball personal fouls, putting the Jags at the Hoover 6-yard line.

Walker would score a touchdown on a quarterback keeper two plays later, pulling the Jaguars within three points, 27-24.

The Bucs then put up a long drive, but Propst threw his second interception and the Jaguar offense took over on their own 4-yard line.

The Jaguars couldn’t take the ball down the field, and they were forced to punt to Hoover.

The Jaguar defense took the field hoping to give their offense one more opportunity to tie or win the game. But the Bucs held on to the ball, scoring on a 2-yard run with less than 1:00 remaining.

A last-second interception secured the win for Hoover.