The Hoover Bucs will host Miami Central Saturday morning at Hoover High School. This national television game for ESPN will be a good one. Both teams come into the season ranked nationally in the top 10 of high school football. USA Today has Hoover ranked 7th and Central 8th in the nation. Both teams are coming off state championships.
The Miami Central players are well aware of the Bucs 31-game winning streak. The Rockets would like to go to Hoover and end the streak while going on and playing for a national championship themselves.
Miami Central comes into this game ready to battle. "The kids are excited to come to Birmingham and play a special team like Hoover," said Rockets Head coach Roland Smith. "They have been on the map for a while and it is going to be a challenge, but were looking to play a good game on Saturday."
On offense, Central’s talented backfield duo of Joseph Yearby and Dalvin Cook are now in their first college minicamps at the University of Miami and Florida State, respectively. The running backs fueled the Rockets to 44.1 points per game last season and their second consecutive state championship.
This season, the Rockets offense is loaded at wide receiver. Da'Vante Phillips leads the way for the Rockets. Phillips has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida and Florida State. Jamari Hester at 6-feet-6 inches is a big target for quarterback Malik Atkins. "We have our whole receiving core returning," adds Smith. "Even though we lost some players due to graduation at different positions, we pride ourselves in developing our student-athletes at Miami Central."
Running back Cedric Miller runs behind offensive lineman Jason Jean. The 6-feet-2 275-pound lineman has an early commitment to Marshall.
On defense, the Rockets really excel here returning a lot of experience. Safety Calvin Brewton, a Florida State commitment, leads the way in the secondary. "Calvin can play both safety or corner for us," Smith said. "He is such a tacticianer, a very smart player. Uses his hips real well and can really jam the opposing wide receiver. He guards the top receiver week in and week out."
Also, the Rockets have book-ends at defensive ends. Fermin Silva and Keivonnis Davis can rush the passer and look to interupt the Bucs passing game and stop the run. "There quarterback is the key that does a good job of getting the ball to their receivers," Smith added. "We have to stop their running game and try to make them one dimensional. We can't let them get balance, we know that they like to run the ball."
The Hoover Bucs are coming off back-to-back state championships. There is a lot of talent on both sides of the ball this season. On offense, Jack Hutcheson has many targets. The senior two-year starter has gained valuable experience from last season. "Jack puts us in a good play," said Bucs Head coach Josh Niblett. "He makes good decisions, very athletic player and is throwing the ball well at camp." The Bucs have a lot of playmakers at receiver. "We have some great receivers," Niblett added. "He have some guys that can run and are big and physical." Justin Johnson, a Mississippi State commitment, along with Leonard Wood and Alex Elam are a handful to cover. If you need a big play, look for Wood and Johnson for the deep ball, but if you need a first down, keep your eyes on sure handed Alex Elam. Coach Niblett has another weapon at QB in Chris Vacarella. Look for him to have his own package of plays in this game. "Chris brings something different to the table," Niblett said. "You can look for him getting in this game."
Super 6 Championship Game MVP Bradrick Shaw (6-1, 193) returns for his senior season. Last season, Shaw rushed for over 1,000 yards and can really carry the load. Shaw has SEC offers in South Carolina, Mississippi State and Alabama along with others. The Bucs have depth at running back with Marcus Webb and Kris Parker. Parker does a great job of catching the ball out of the backfield. All three running backs run behind junior Nick Eldridge (6-2, 295) and senior Alex Horn (6-3, 245).
On defense, the Bucs are loaded and return a lot of experience back. The front seven can stuff the run or rush the quarterback with the best of them. Defensive end Christian Bell is quick for his 220-pound frame. The Alabama commitment has a motor that just doesn't stop and can be a huge problem in the oposing backfields. Linebacker Darrell Williams, an Auburn commitment, is another run stuffer. Williams was a huge player in the Bucs defense last season that only game up only 6.0 points per game in the regular season.
Another defensive lineman looking to make an impact is defensive lineman Zach Eldridge. "He is not the biggest kid at interior DL spot," said Niblett. "He has a motor that always runs and brings a lot of enery to the team. We need him to hold his own and make big plays up front against a big offensive line that Miami has. We will move him around a little bit on the defensive front."
In the secondary, P.J. Hall returns and saw a lot of passes his way last season due to Marlon Humphrey was on the other side of the field. Look for Hall to match up with Phillips of Central all day long this upcoming game.
A big match up for both teams on Saturday. What secondary can keep the other teams receivers in check and not give up the big play along with putting pressure on the quarterback and not giving time to throw the ball? Look for both teams to try and move the ball in the humid air on Saturday.
