Hoover still struggling
SOUTHEAST GLENDALE — For a few moments after Friday’s game against Pasadena High, Hoover football Coach Chris Long stood on Moyse Field and shook his head.
He was speechless and frustrated as he looked back on the previous 48 minutes of action.
“I don’t even know what to say,” said Long, whose Tornadoes were handed a 51-6 Pacific League loss.
He later spoke about the Bulldogs’ big-play ability. He also talked about Hoover’s turnovers. And he mentioned his team’s immaturity.
Pasadena’s quick strikes, the Tornadoes’ five turnovers and their inexperience all helped lead to a humbling loss.
“We couldn’t do anything right,” Long said.
His frustrations started in the first quarter.
A Hoover fumble on its own 28 led to a four-play drive that resulted in a J’quan Hamilton 14-yard touchdown run. Two minutes later, Dametre Clark returned a punt 36 yards for a score, and Pasadena’s rout was on
“They came to play and we didn’t,” said Long, whose Tornadoes dropped to 0-5, 0-2 in league. “It was one of those days.”
Hoover’s day was long from over.
Pasadena (1-4, 1-1 in league) scored 32 second-quarter points, as it raced into halftime with a 45-0 lead.
It didn’t need long to score those points, either.
Clark sprinted for a 68-yard score on the first play of a drive and Darion Simpson returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown to close out the scoring in the opening half. In between those two plays, senior tight end Keyonte Brown had a career day.
After another Bulldogs interception, Brown caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Josh Desmuke on the first play of Pasadena’s drive.
On the first play of the Bulldogs’ ensuing possession, Brown hauled in a 21-yard score and added a 14-yard touchdown to culminate a four-play, 21-yard drive.
“Turnovers have hurt us all year,” Long said. “We couldn’t get any field possession.”
The Tornadoes’ lone bright spot came when Jose Galan scored from two yards out as time expired in the fourth.
Said Long: “We’re still young and we have a lot of growing up to do — off the field and on the field. We have a lot to work on. We’re immature on the field, but we’ll get it done.
“Everyone hates to lose, but we just got work to do.”