By Bobby Mathews, sports editor
TRUSSVILLE — If Hewitt-Trussville is going to stake their claim to a possible home playoff game in 7A Region 3, they’ll have to go through the Hoover Bucs to do it.
That’s easier said than done. The Bucs host the Huskies on Friday night, October 1, 2021.
Hoover is ranked No. 2 in 7A. It’s a proud program that boasts 13 state football championships, going all the way back to 1977’s 4A state title, and including twice winning five titles in six years (from 2000 to 2006, 2012-2017). In 2021, the Bucs are 6-0 and currently tied with Thompson at 4-0 in region play. Last season, the Bucs won by the slimmest of margins, 29-28 in Trussville. Hoover owns a lopsided 18-4 record against the Huskies in the series.
So what can eighth-ranked Hewitt-Trussville expect on Friday night, October 1?
Hoover’s quarterback, Bennett Meredith, is a 6-3, 190-pound Meredith has completed 82-of-135 passing for 1,283 yards with 14 touchdowns and one interception.
Meredith will be throwing to a plethora of receivers, including senior wideout Cotton Peters, who is averaging just short of 100 receiving yards a game and has caught three touchdowns. The Bucs bring in an experienced corps of receivers, including three seniors and two juniors.
Even more dangerous is junior running back Ahamari Williams, who is averaging 110.7 yards per game and has scored seven times. Williams and Peters are each averaging more than 100 yards per game in all-purpose yardage as well.
On defense, the Bucs will use an experienced, stout defensive line to try to get pressure on Cade Ott Carruth, as well as try to shut down the running attack of the elusive James Hammonds and Connor Thomas.
Terrell Jones is a 6-5, 255-pound rusher who can penetrate the backfield. He’s logged 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack so far this season, and he’ll be a concern for the Huskies’ offensive line. Hoover is giving up only 13.5 points per game this season.
For Hewitt-Trussville, Carruth is 98-for-157 passing for 1,330 yards and 11 touchdowns. Omari Kelly has caught five touchdown passes and averages 105.3 yards per game receiving. Jordan McCants has caught four scores and averages 54 yards per game receiving.
On the ground, Hammonds leads the way. He’s scored eight rushing touchdowns and caught another. Hammonds averages 91.2 yards rushing per game. Thomas gives the running game a good change of pace. He’s run for 3 touchdowns and averages 12.1 yards per rush.
Defensively, Justice Finkley and Hunter Osborne get a lot of attention on the the line and rightly so. Finkley’s totaled 19 solo tackles and 17 assists, with three sacks, six tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hurries. Osborne has 14 solo tackles, eight assists, one sack and six tackles for loss.
But the story of the defense may be the linebacker duo of Jamarion “Bam” White and Hunter Jones, who are leading the Huskies in tackles. White has 35 solo tackles and 20 assists, while Jones has 35 tackles and 14 assists. White has one tackle for loss while Jones has six. White has 2.5 sacks while Jones is credited with half a sack.
Game time is 7 p.m. at the Met in Hoover.