It took 17 years for the Tom Landry Classic to feature an out-of-state opponent facing a Texas school, and it might have been worth the wait.
This year’s Friday night clash at Eagle Stadium in Allen, TX features the four-time state champion Allen Eagles and 11 time state champion from Alabama, Hoover High School. Hoover came onto the national scene when they were on the MTV show Two-A-Days in the mid 2000s. Just like Allen, they won state titles in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
The Buccaneers from Hoover already have a game under their belt as they defeated Central-Phenix City 23-7 on August 19th . Hoover got out to a slow start trailing 7-0 after the first quarter but scored the games final 23 points and started the season out with a victory. Quarterback Garrett Farquhar only completed 32% of his passes (8-25 for 153 yards) but did enough to lead his team to victory. The game was played on a sloppy, rain-soaked field, which is why the offensive stats don’t look impressive.
High School blue bloods don’t meet too often, but when they do it’s must see and this is no different.
The Eagles on the other hand will be playing their first game of the season and they will have a new head coach patrolling the sidelines. Terry Gambill who came over from Waco Midway has quite the challenge for game one. The Eagles are loaded at skill positions with running back Kirby Bennett who some consider the best in the state, quarterback Mitchell Jonke who shared time last season with Seth Green who is now in Minnesota, will be the starter and wide receivers Tevyn Stevenson and Tenio Ayeni.
The big question mark for Allen is how badly will offensive lineman Greg Little will be missed. Little is off to Ole Miss and was the no.2 recruit in the country, but Allen has Colorado commit Will Sherman looking to be that blindside protector.
Hoover has an edge based on the game they’ve already played, but the travel might take that away from the Bucs. For Allen, playing in front of their home crowd will be huge, but there might be some rust and nerves as they take the field for the first time in the Gambill regime.
High School blue bloods don’t meet too often, but when they do it’s must see and this is no different.
