FLORENCE, Alabama -- The Florence Falcons had the champs on the ropes, but #1 Hoover clawed their way back to win 22-21 in a AHSAA 6A quarterfinal playoff game at Tom Braly Municipal Stadium. With 1:59 left in the third quarter, Florence led 21-16 on a Kendrick Doss to William Bennett 89-yard touchdown play. The Bucs scored the winning touchdown with 6:08 left in the game on a Jack Hutcheson 9-yard touchdown pass to Alex Elam in the left corner of the endzone and the 28-game Bucs win streak rolls on.

The Bucs (13-0) defense gave up three Florence touchdowns through three quarters but shutout the Falcons in the deciding fourth quarter. "We had to battle tonight," said Bucs linebacker Darrell Williams. "We had to stick together as a team, we play together, grind together and shine together. We have been grinding since January and all of our hard work has paid off. Defensively, its not about how you start, but how you finished and we finished well tonight."

The Bucs scored first in the game midway through the first quarter on a Bradrick Shaw 4-yard touchdown run. A key play in the drive was a 24-yard pass play from Hutcheson to Hagan Scott. The extra point was missed but Hoover led 6-0. Shaw had a whopping 34 carries for 106 yards on the night. The Falcons defense limited the Bucs offense to many big plays in the Bucs ground game. "Were going to enjoy this game tonight," said Head coach Josh Niblett. "I told our kids their is going to be some inconvenience and keep persevering. We had to adjust and we showed great effort and passion. I'm so proud of our kids. We were able to run the football some but when they moved their safeties down we needed to throw the football successfully and we did that in the second half."

Florence scored after the Hoover touchdown when Doss had a 3-yard run around left end. The extra point gave Florence an early 7-6 lead. "We came up one point short," said Falcons Head coach Jamey DuBose. "I'm proud of our kids and proud of this program. We are with the elite. You can say how good their defense is but we put 21 up. I'm proud of our team and good luck to Hoover. I hope they win the north."

The only score in the second quarter came when kicker John Schmith hit on a 29-yard field goal after missing the opening extra point. Hoover led 9-7 going into the locker rooms at halftime.

Florence came out swinging after the half and took the lead back on a Doss 8-yard touchdown run up the middle of the Bucs defense. A Doss 18-yard run along with two Liles Hillhouse reception setup the Falcons touchdown. Florence led 14-9. The Bucs scored less then two minutes later on a Justin Johnson 48-yard bomb from Hutcheson. "We thought coming into the game we could run the football," said Bucs receiver Johnson. "At halftime, we knew we would have to throw the football a little more and we practice the deep ball all week and felt like we could make a big play against them." Hutcheson and the Bucs passing game came alive in the second half. Hutcheson was 7-of-12 passing for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

The Hoover defense made some big plays late in the game, one play was a key interception by sophomore corner P.J. Hall with only 5:12 left in the game. "It looked like he was throwing to the slot receiver," said Bucs Hall. "I saw the ball in the air and that I could make a play on it. I felt like halfway up in the air I could make a good break on it."

Doss had the late interception but had a solid game for the Falcons. Doss completed 11-of-23 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown. Doss, an Ole Miss commitment, had 60 yards on 18 carries. "I can't believe that it is all over," said the Falcons QB Doss. "We had big dreams, but it is all over tonight. I'm proud how we played but I would have liked to get the win." The Falcons coach added more praise for Doss. "Kendrick had a great career here. He is a great player and a great kid. He will do well at Ole Miss. He is such a wonderful kid off the field and he will do great things in college." 

Up next for Hoover is a return game with Vestava Hills at the Hoover Met next Friday. Hoover defeated Vestavia Hills 17-7 on week five of the regular season.