Deshawn Hall put the finishing touch on Prattville’s biggest statement of the season, and he did it in the loudest way possible.
With 13 seconds left Friday at the Hoover Met, the Auburn wide receiver commitment hauled in the game-winning touchdown to push third-ranked Prattville past No. 6 Hoover, 30-29. Hall was the difference all night, finishing with 10 catches for 169 yards, and he also delivered an 11-yard grab on fourth-and-6 during the Lions’ decisive drive.
“The coaches told me that the ball was coming my way,” Hall said. “I knew that I had to make a play for my teammates.
“This was a big win for us. I think we have shown we are for real in the region this year.”
Prattville improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Class 6A, Region 3, and the victory snapped a long drought in the series with Hoover. It was the Lions’ first win over the Bucs since the state championship game in 2011.
Hoover had won five straight in the matchup and holds a 7-4 edge, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society website. The first six meetings between the programs all came in state championship games.
“I am so proud of our kids because they keep getting off of the mat and fighting back,” said Prattville coach Bobby Carr, now in his second season leading the Lions. “Hoover is a heck of a program and we knew winning tonight would be a huge step for our kids.”
Hoover, which fell to 2-2 and 0-2, had to finish the game without starting quarterback Kaleb Freeman after he left with an injury. Even so, the Bucs made things uncomfortable in the second half.
“Our kids found a way to make it competitive in the second half,” Bucs head coach Chip English said. “It shows a great deal about our character as a team when one of your top players goes out and we battle.
“Those guys did a great job,” he said. “Everyone knew that they were going to run the football, and they were still able to break long runs.”
After Freeman exited, Hoover leaned more heavily on a Wildcat look, with Jordan Williams and Jordan Ward handling most of the snaps. Williams, who scored on a 3-yard run before halftime, ripped off a 59-yard touchdown run that put Hoover ahead 29-23 before Prattville answered with its late surge.
The Bucs also got a huge defensive swing from Dorian Waluyn, who returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown to give Hoover a 21-20 lead.
Prattville got key production from kicker Bryson Francis, who was steady throughout the night. Francis made field goals of 24, 28 and 28 yards and added three extra points, including the final kick after Hall’s touchdown.
Carr also made clear how much he trusted his star receiver.
“(Quarterback) Will (McKay) should have thrown more passes to Deshawn. Deshawn is not only a heck of a football player, he is a heck of a young man.”
For Hoover, the result was another difficult region loss. English said the Bucs are dealing with injuries and keep losing important pieces, but he pointed to the way his team kept competing.
“Another tough region loss. We have really been hit hard by the injury bug this year.
That is no excuse, but it seems like we lose a key player every week. Our kids continue to fight and show a lot of character.
We are growing each week. The season is still young and we still have to make some noise.”
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