The Hoover (AL) varsity football team will face Central (Phenix City, AL) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs in the 7A tournament, where both teams will battle for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football Playoff
Who: Central vs Hoover
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 7A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Hoover vs. Central

The 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs continue with an exciting 7A matchup between Hoover and Central (Phenix City) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This neutral-site game promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the top teams in Alabama high school football, both looking to advance further in the postseason.

Central’s Strong Season

Central enters this game with a solid 9-2 record, having finished 5-2 in region play. The team has been impressive in both home and away games, posting a 5-1 record at home and a 3-1 record on the road. Their offense has been potent, scoring 477 points for an average of 43.4 points per game. The defense has been strong as well, allowing 233 points over the season.

Central’s scoring is particularly balanced across all quarters, showcasing their ability to stay consistent throughout the game. Here’s how their scoring breaks down:

• Q1: 9.2 points
• Q2: 12.9 points
• Q3: 9.9 points
• Q4: 10.5 points
• Final: 43.4 points

Their strong first-half performance and ability to close out games in the fourth quarter make them a tough team to beat.

Hoover’s Impressive Record

Hoover, with a 10-2 record and a perfect 7-0 region mark, enters the playoffs as one of the top teams in 7A. The Bucs have been dominant in region play, winning all of their region games, and their overall win percentage of .833 speaks to their consistency. Hoover’s offense has put up 363 points, averaging 30.3 points per game, while their defense has been solid, allowing only 187 points.

Hoover’s scoring, however, has been more spread out, with no real explosive quarters compared to Central’s balanced attack. Their scoring breakdown is as follows:

• Q1: 7.1 points
• Q2: 6.3 points
• Q3: 7.0 points
• Q4: 6.2 points
• Final: 30.3 points

Despite averaging fewer points per game than Central, Hoover has been effective in all phases of the game, especially in neutral-site contests, where they boast a perfect 1-0 record.

A Battle of Strengths

While both teams have shown offensive firepower, their styles differ. Central has been a high-scoring team, averaging over 43 points per game, with their biggest offensive bursts coming in the second half. Hoover, on the other hand, has been more methodical, consistently putting up solid numbers but without the same explosive offensive runs as Central.

Defensively, Hoover has allowed significantly fewer points, with a stronger defense that will likely be tested by Central’s powerful offense. Hoover will need to control the tempo of the game and limit Central’s scoring opportunities if they hope to advance.

As two of the top teams in their respective conferences, Central and Hoover have consistently proven themselves as powerful forces in high school football. Both teams boast impressive offensive and defensive stats, but each team has its own strengths and weaknesses that set them apart. This article dives into the key stats, player performances, and records of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.

Team Stat Comparison

• Offensive Prowess
  • Central has been particularly strong on offense, averaging 188.5 rushing yards per game and 218.2 passing yards per game. With a balanced attack that includes both the ground and aerial game, they accumulate a total of 406.7 yards per game. Hoover, while also potent offensively, averages slightly fewer yards: 177.1 rushing yards and 186.8 passing yards, leading to a total of 363.9 yards per game. Though Hoover has a slight edge in passing with 186.8 yards per game versus Central’s 218.2, Central’s rushing attack has been a significant contributor to their success.
• Defensive Strength
  • On defense, Central has posted strong numbers with 62.5 tackles per game and 3.0 sacks per game, showcasing a tough, disruptive defense. Hoover’s defense has been slightly less active, with 50.3 tackles per game and 2.4 sacks per game. However, Hoover still excels in limiting big plays, giving them the ability to stay competitive in tight matchups.
• Scoring Efficiency
  • Central has been a high-scoring team, averaging 43.2 points per game. This explosive offense gives them the ability to control games and wear down opponents. Hoover has averaged 29.7 points per game, a solid performance, but trailing Central’s offensive production. Both teams have been able to score effectively, though Central’s higher points per game shows their potential to put up big numbers when needed.

Team Leaders

• Rushing
  • Central’s #24 Tristan Williams has been a key contributor to the team’s rushing attack, averaging 104.8 yards per game. His powerful running has helped Central control the clock and keep defenses on their heels. Hoover’s #13 Jr Mosley leads the team in rushing with 47.8 yards per game, but he still falls below the national average of 20.2, indicating that Hoover may rely more on their passing game than the ground attack.
• Passing
  • Central’s #13 Andrew Alford is a standout quarterback, throwing for 199.2 yards per game. His ability to pass the ball effectively makes him a dual threat, as he also leads the team in total yards per game with 203.1. Hoover’s #15 Mac Beason, with 182.9 passing yards per game, has been a reliable signal caller, though Central’s passing game provides a slightly greater offensive threat.
• Receiving
  • Central’s #5 Daylyn Upshaw has been a primary target in the receiving game, with 82.8 yards per game, well above the national average of 17.3. Upshaw’s ability to stretch the field and make big plays gives Central an extra dimension. Hoover’s #4 Jonah Winston leads the team in receiving with 49.1 yards per game, a respectable figure but still significantly lower than Upshaw’s contribution.
• Tackling
  • Defensively, Central’s #11 Brennan Core has emerged as a key tackler, with 8.3 tackles per game, helping the team limit big plays and control opposing offenses. Hoover’s #5 Cameron Torbor leads Hoover with 7.4 tackles per game, also a solid number, but slightly lower than Core’s output.
• Sacks
  • Central’s #9 Tristan Lyles leads the team with 1.1 sacks per game, contributing to their ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Hoover’s #5 Cameron Torbor records 0.7 sacks per game, also a significant contribution, though Lyles’ sack numbers give Central an edge in this department.

• Scoring

  • Tristan Williams, in addition to his rushing yards, also leads Central in points scored, contributing 10.5 points per game. This makes him one of the top offensive players on the team. Hoover’s #90 Matthew Daibes is the team’s leading scorer with 8.2 points per game, a solid but less impactful figure compared to Williams’ contributions.

Common Opponents

Both Central and Hoover faced Opelika and Vestavia Hills this season, with mixed results:

• Opelika: Central lost to Opelika 23-14 on October 18, 2024, while Hoover defeated Opelika 32-29 on November 15, 2024. This shows Hoover’s ability to edge out tough opponents in close games.
• Vestavia Hills: Central defeated Vestavia Hills 41-21 on November 15, 2024, while Hoover won 38-20 on October 25, 2024. Both teams handled this common opponent effectively, with Hoover securing a slightly more dominant win.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Records

  • Central holds a strong 9-2 overall record, with a solid 5-2 record in league play. Hoover, with a slightly better overall record of 10-2, has been perfect in league play, posting a 7-0 record. Both teams are positioned well for playoff contention.

• League Play

  • Hoover’s perfect 7-0 record in league play shows their dominance in their conference, while Central’s 5-2 league record is strong but indicates a few close losses. Central’s ability to compete at a high level in their league has set them up for success.

• Non-League Play

  • Central is 2-0 in non-league games, showing they can handle opponents outside of their conference. Hoover has a 1-2 non-league record, indicating some challenges when facing teams outside their conference but still maintaining a competitive edge.

• Home and Away Records

  • Central is 5-1 at home and 4-3 away, showing they are very strong at home but still competitive on the road. Hoover is 4-2 at home and a perfect 5-0 on the road, suggesting they perform exceptionally well in hostile environments.

• Playoff Records

  • Both teams have proven their ability to perform in the postseason, with Hoover holding a 2-0 playoff record and Central also at 2-0, suggesting they are ready for the challenges ahead.

Conclusion

Central and Hoover are two of the most talented teams in their respective conferences, each with strengths that could lead them to success in the playoffs. Central’s potent offense, led by Andrew Alford and Tristan Williams, gives them the edge in scoring, while Hoover’s strong league record and road performance demonstrate their ability to win under pressure. As the season progresses, the battle between these two teams could be one of the most exciting matchups in high school football. Both are playoff-ready and capable of deep runs, making them teams to watch closely in the coming weeks.