The Hoover High football team lost its home opener on Thursday, losing to Ganesha by a score of 29-26.

Ganesha started the game with a touchdown on a 65-yard pass play to take a 7-point lead. The Tornados quickly tied the score on the next possession with a passing touchdown play by Davion Holloway with the help of Joel Jauregui.

With the score tied 7 in the second quarter, Ganesha turned the ball over on downs.

Javon Lymon took advantage and scored on a passing touchdown.

“How you practice is how you play,” Lymons aid.

Hoover’s lead remained at 6 when the PAT was missed.

The Tornado’s defense made a huge play by intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown completed by Ethan Davis. This made the score 19-7 after the Tornados failed on their second PAT of the game.

This ended the half with Hoover set to receive the ball at the start of the second half.

In the third quarter, Hoover drove inside Ganesha’s 20-yard line but turned the ball over on downs and was not able to score. Ganesha took advantage and scored a rushing touchdown to make the score, 19-14.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Ganesha was in the red zone threatening to score. The Tornado’s defense made another big play and returned a fumble for a touchdown. The successful PAT increased Hoover’s lead to 11.

Ganesha overcame that lead quickly by scoring two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

With two minutes left in the game and Hoover trailing by three, Hoover still had a chance to win. However, Genesha intercepted Hoover’s pass effectively ending any chance for a comeback.

Although Davis seemed to be struggling with his Achilles, he was stayed strong and positive for his team and stated; “These guys are putting their hearts and bodies on the field so I have to give it everything I got.”

When asked what went wrong, Hoover Coach Azad Herabidian replied “We made a lot of mistakes, and we got some injuries.”

Lymon thought that “not bringing enough hard work into the game resulted in a loss.”