Cedric Miller scored Central's first touchdown as the Rockets downed Hoover 24-21.
Photo by Joe Boyd
A game that featured its share of talented athletes, big plays and penalties came down to a field goal.
Beymar Piraquive nailed a 31-yard attempt with 45 seconds left to lift visiting and No. 15
Central (Miami, Fla.) over No. 3 Hoover 24-21.
Bradrick Shaw, Hoover
Photo by Joe Boyd
The game-winning kick came minutes after Hoover tied the score 21-21 on a a 19-yard touchdown run by
Bradrick Shaw, the team's second touchdown of the quarter.
Things looked bleak for Hoover in the fourth. A
Malik Atkins touchdown followed
Anthony Jones' go-ahead score to give Central a 21-7 lead early in the fourth.
But Hoover showed why its one of the nation's most dominant programs. Quarterback
Jack Hutcheson connected with
Trey Brackett on a 46-yard touchdown to narrow the deficit to a single score. That set up Shaw's game-tying run.
In the end, Hoover's defense simply could not hold Central's offense. Jones rumbled 46 yards inside of Hoover's 30-yard line with two minutes remaining to set up Piraquve's fourth-quarter heroics.
With the victory, Central could enjoy a nice rice in the Xcellent 25 national rankings. After next week's matchup with
Stephenson (Stone Mountain, Ga.), Central will be tested by local rival
Booker T. Washington (Miami, Fla.), in a game that suddenly appears to have national title implications.
Last season in Sept., Booker T. defeated Central 28-17 in a game that pitted the nation's top two teams.
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