HOOVER, Alabama -- The #1 Hoover Bucs played on all cylinders tonight and defeated #1 Blackman, Tennessee 35-20 at the Hoover Met. The Bucs used their power running game, while quarterback Jack Hutcheson made some huge throws in this battle of the unbeatens.

The Bucs stingy defense did a great job of taking away the big play while the Bucs offense provided some big plays that was the difference in the win. "I told our kids that we needed to play physical coming into this game more that we have been playing," said Bucs head coach Josh Niblett. "I was proud of our offensive line that played physical. Jack had an outstanding game. Our kids could tell I was in a whole different mood tonight. I told them this is like the first round of the playoffs. There is no tomorrow. Play this game like its the first round. I think you saw our sense of urgency tonight. Were going to try to keep it up and go 1-0 next week."

The Hoover (10-0) power running game started the game and set the tone for the game. The Bucs went on a 9-play, 90-yard drive. Hoover scored first on a Marcus Webb 10-yard touchdown run. One key play on the TD drive was a 13-yard diving reception to Kris Parker. The Bucs lead 7-0.

Early in the second quarter, Blackman lined up for a 22-yard field goal, but linebacker Darrell Williams slipped in and blocked the field goal. After the Bucs took possession deep into their own territory. Hutcheson hooked up to Leonard Wood on a 83-yard touchdown pass. With the Bucs TD, Hoover led 14-0. "My teammates around me made some great plays tonight," said the Bucs QB Hutcheson. "Our offensive line played great and we had a great game plan. Coach told us before the game that we needed to get our swagger back and I think we did that tonight."

With 3:31 left in the half, Blackman (9-1) quarterback Jauan Jennings rolled out and found Blake Taylor on a 48-yard TD play. Jennings, a Tennessee commitment, used his athletic ability to roll out, buy time on his throws, and get some big runs on third downs to keep Blackman driving. "This is a tough offense to stop," added Niblett. "We couldn't get him off third down. There quarterback made some great plays, he is just an unbelievable player." Jennings finished the night completing 15-of-24 passing for 177 yards & TD along with 73 yards and 18 carries & TD.

Hoover scored a key touchdown right before the half with :49 seconds left, when Bradrick Shaw scored on a one-yard run. The key play on this drive was a big 35-yard pass to Justin Johnson. The Mississippi State commit had to readjust on the pass and made a great catch down on the Blaze 1-yard line. Johnson caught three passes for 52 yards in the win. At the half, Hoover led 21-7.

In the third quarter, Blackman was driving to the Bucs 35-yard line but the drive stalled as Hoover forced a fourth down incomplete pass play. The Bucs defense harassed the Blaze QB for most of the night. "We had a lot of fight tonight on our defense," said senior linebacker Darrell Williams. "We felt like we could pressure the QB, in past games he didn't see much pressure like we were going to throw at him tonight." Williams, a three-year starter new this was a special game tonight. "It his me a little bit before the game knowing this is my last regular season game with these guys," added Williams. "It is just so surreal, I love these guys so much, so I'm just taking it all in right now."

After the Blaze turnover with :37 left in the third quarter, the Bucs moved the ball and scored on a Hutcheson to Kris Parker 18-yard touchdown play. Parker made an incredible run being hit on the play, spun and kept his balance with his hand on the ground and ran through the endzone for a touchdown. With the score Hoover led 28-7. "There guy kind of stopped because he got hit and kept his unbelievable balance," said Niblett. "You can't say enough about that guy. I can't be more prouder of the guy because he is behind the scene type guy. He is the reason our run game is getting better, better, and better. He is the H-factor in our offense."

With 8:02 left in the game, Blackman scored two touchdowns. Taeler Dowdy scored on a 9-yard touchdown run. After the Blaze touchdown, Blackman recovered a short kickoff and kept the Blaze in the game. A few plays later, Jennings scored his second TD of the game on a 3-yard run. The extra point was blocked and Blackman cut the Hoover lead to 28-20 with only 3:53 left in the game. "I saw a lot of fight in our kids," said Blaze head coach Philip Shadowens. "We didn't get the stop that we wanted on that last drive, but we played a great football team."

Hoover picked up a huge first down on their last drive. Then with 1:49 left in the game, Hutcheson found Quincy Cox wide open in the middle of the field for a 42-yard touchdown. "Quincy made a great play on the ball and the coaches made a great call on the play," said Bucs QB Hutcheson. "We had a great game plan coming into this game and our team rallied together and played a great game." Hutcheson finished the game completing 12-of-14 passing for 232 yards and three touchdowns. "Jack played great tonight, he played an awesome game," said Niblett. "I'm proud of our offensive line, we did a great job of mixing up the plays."

The Bucs played one of their most complete games of the night against Blackman and look forward to the playoffs next week. "This is one of the greatest wins we had this season," said Niblett. "For us our kids got after it with passion and great effort. For the people that came tonight, I want to thank them for sitting in the elements, cheering our kids on tonight and supporting our program."