Hoover vs Akron Buchtel

Canton Repository

SITE: North Canton Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS: Buchtel 0-1; North Canton Hoover 1-0.

LAST WEEK: North Canton Hoover 40, Green 3; Massillon 23, Buchtel 12.

LAST MEETING: Buchtel won 23-21 last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: The Griffins were in position to beat Massillon last week until an interception inside the Massillon 20 was returned for a Tiger TD and led to a Buchtel loss. Buchtel head coach Claude Brown needs to build his team up this week and it needs to let go of last week's loss. The Griffins had the ball for more than 30 minutes, but committed four turnovers.

This is a good offense when it's not shooting itself in the foot. RB Antonio Pittman is capable of scoring any time he touches the ball, and FB Anthony Norman is a great lead blocker.

That being said, Hoover's defense proved it can be counted on to win games during the first half of the season as the offense develops. Last week, Hoover held an explosive Green offense out of the end zone, and the North Canton defense got two scores, thanks to a 65-yard Chad Coyle interception return and Alex Ramsey's 28 interception return. Ramsey was impressive on both sides of the ball. He had two sacks and more than 10 tackles. He gained 44 yards running the ball. RB Mike Wright was the team's leading rusher with 90 yards, including a 73-yard TD run.

The Vikings are capable of better offensive production and are going to have to step up a notch to go to 2-0.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Akron Buchtel Griffins Game Preview