Prattville (13-0) vs. Hoover (14-0), 7 o'clock tonight at Legion Field: Coach Rush Propst's Bucs, ranked No. 1 in the state and fifth in the nation in the StudentSports Fab 50, are known for offense, but defense has led the Hoover charge the last two weeks. While the Bucs have scored just 24 and 17 points in wins over Spain Park and Mountain Brook, the Hoover defense has held the Jaguars and Spartans to 7 and 3 points, respectively.
"Our offense gets a lot of credit, but last year what won the game for us? Our defense -- defending Patrick White," Propst said of his Bucs' 22-17 win over Daphne in the 2003 state final. "Anytime you get in the state championship game you'd better be good on defense and you'd better be able to run the ball a little bit because of the weather."
Prattville, ranked No. 2 in the state and 43rd nationally, plays a bit of defense itself. The Lions, led by 6A lineman of the year finalist Bobby Greenwood (who has 12 sacks), have posted shutouts the last two weeks in wins over Daphne and Carver-Montgomery. This week, they'll have to find an answer for a Hoover passing game led by 6A back of the year finalist Jarod Bryant, who has thrown for 2,860 yards and 28 touchdowns.