Comeback, Again Hoover Overcomes Rebels, Heads to Finals By Lee Davis
Journal Sports Writer
You only think that Auburn University’s epic win in the Iron Bowl was the biggest comeback of Thanksgiving weekend. Actually, one that took place the previous night was just as big–if not quite so last second–and the ramifications were far and wide. Trailing archrival Vestavia Hills 28-10 early in the third period, homestanding Hoover battled back with three touchdowns to take a 31-28 win. The victory sent the Bucs into the Class 6A championship game against Auburn High School at Tuscaloosa’s BryantDenny Stadium on Dec. 6. The game winner came with three minutes to play, when Hoover quarterback Jack Hutcheson passed 17 yards to
Vestavia Outfielder Makes All-American Team
A Vestavia Hills High School senior has been named to the 2014 Power Showcase All-American Baseball Team. John Thomas Pietrantoni, (pictured below) an outfielder for the Rebels, will represent Alabama at the event, set for Jan. 2-5 at Miami’s Marlins Stadium. The Power Showcase includes a home run derby as well as a game. The event will feature 120 amateur athletes from around the world. Players are chosen based on their abilities, power, scout references and performances in high school games and showcase tournaments, according to Power Showcase officials. Pietrantoni also plays for Coach Steve Gendron’s Excel Travel Team. He is a right-handed pitcher as well as an outfielder. Tommy Walker, Vestavia’s head baseball coach, said that while Pietrantoni is a very good baseball player, he’s an “even better person off the field.” At Vestavia, Pietrantoni has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society and the National Honor Society. He is a member of VHHS Youth Leadership and the Mayor’s Teen Council. Pietrantoni also is a member of the Literacy Club and the Key Club and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. “From a coaching standpoint, J.T. has been fun to coach,” Walker said. “He is very conscientious and is an extremely hard worker. J.T. is always trying to do what I am coaching him to do and is a great teammate to others. “He is a great young man, and I am honored to be his coach. He will be a great representative of Power Showcase.”
Leonard Wood for the go-ahead touchdown. The Bucs began the drive at Vestavia’s 39-yard line after fair-catch interference was called on the Rebels after a punt. After the score, Hoover grimly hung on to run its record to 14-0 and claim its 29th consecutive victory. The Bucs’s rousing comeback stood in stark contrast to the pair’s first meeting in September, where Hoover ground out a defense-dominated 17-7 victory. “I’m proud of our kids, because if you are going to be a champion, you have to persevere,” said Hoover coach Josh Niblett. “Tonight we made the big plays when we had to have them.” The night started as if it might be a routine Buccaneer victory. Bradrick Shaw’s five-yard touchdown and Hunter Schmith’s extra point gave Hoover 7-0 lead with 5:41 remaining in the opening period.
Bradrick Shaw picks up tough yardage in Hoover’s 31-28 win over Vestavia. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
Vestavia fought back. Rebel quarterback Landon Crowder scored on an eight-yard run. Jack Hatchett’s kick tied the game as the quarter ended.
Photo special to the Journal
Mountain Brook High School softball player Rebecca Blitz will be a member of Indiana University’s 2015 team. Blitz signed a National Letter of Intent with IU on Nov. 13. The Spartan centerfielder and leadoff batter was a 2013 All-State first team selection and was named to the Spain Park Jaguar Classic AllTournament Team. She led her Mountain Brook team with a .541 batting average, .566 onbase percentage and 40 stolen bases. Blitz was named to the 2012 All Over the Mountain team and All-
The Rebels used a blocked punt to set up another score. Jordan Johnson’s five-yard touchdown run put Vestavia ahead 14-7 early in the second period. Undaunted, Hoover marched to the Rebels’ 17-yard line, where Schmith booted a 34-yard field goal and cut the visitors’ lead to 14-10. Johnson scored again, this time on a 45-yard dash, to give Vestavia a 21-10 halftime advantage. The Rebels’ momentum continued early in the third quarter. Christian Palmer’s eight-yard touchdown stretched Vestavia’s lead to 28-10 with 10:36 left in the third quarter. Hoover began its comeback surge when Shaw scored his second touchdown on a four-yard run with four minutes remaining in the period. Schmith’s extra point cut the margin to 28-17. A stifling Buccaneer defense quickly forced the Rebels to punt, and Hoover struck again. Hutcheson’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Carden cut the margin to 28-23 with 1:07 to play in the third period. A two-point attempt failed, and Vestavia’s lead had narrowed
to 28-23. The stage was set for the game-winning score. After Hoover took the lead, Vestavia moved to the Bucs’ 49-yard line before a series of penalties helped end the Rebels’ hopes of an upset. Vestavia finished the season 11-3, and legendary Rebel coach Buddy Anderson ended the year with 308 career wins. Anderson wasn’t looking for moral victories when the evening ended. “We came to win,” he said. “Hoover has a great football team, and our guys gave great effort. Our team can compete with anybody. I’d go to battle with them anytime.” Niblett must have felt the same way about his team, as it once again had reached another Class 6A championship game. “I always believed in our team,” said Hutcheson, who completed 12 of 18 passes for 181 yards. “I’ve got so many great players around me. It’s hard to know what to say right now.” He could have said that Hoover’s time may have arrived again.
solidify our outfield,” Gardner said in the release. “Her versatility at the plate will put pressure on opposing defenses.” Blitz is the daughter of Jann and Russ Blitz of Mountain Brook. Her high school coaches are Kaitlyn Griffin and Leslie Batts.
Mountain Brook High School softball player Rebecca Blitz at her signing with parents Russ and Jann Blitz.
Blitz Signs with Indiana University
Thursday, December 12, 2013 • 49
sports
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Send sports to: editorial@otmj.com South/All-Hoover team. She has played on the Mountain Brook varsity squad since seventh grade. She has been the team’s starting centerfielder and leadoff batter for the past five years. Blitz has also played on travel/ club teams during the summer and fall seasons, most recently on the Birmingham Thunderbolts team. The Thunderbolts play in tournaments across the United States, including Florida, Colorado, New Jersey and California. In a press release issued by Indiana University, Michelle Gardner, IU head softball coach, said Blitz’s speed on the base paths will be an asset to the Hoosiers’ lineup. “This speedster from Alabama will
Sports photography
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