Hoover vs Massillon Jackson

Canton Repository

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

RECORDS: Hoover 9-0, 3-0; Jackson 7-2, 1-2.

LAST WEEK: Hoover 14, Lake 7 OT; Jackson 24, Perry 23 OT.

LAST MEETING: Hoover won 13-0 last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: The Vikings have clinched an outright Federal League title and a home playoff game next week.

Jackson needs to win to guarantee itself of a postseason berth.

Hoover has a chance to become the first 10-0 Viking team since 1975. Don Hertler Jr. was a boy when his father coached that Hoover team to a perfect season. "I know their schedule wasn't as tough as this one," Hertler Jr. joked. Yes, the Vikings are relaxed, but there seems to be enough of an edge on this team because they have the chance to finish 10-0.

Hoover is one of the most balanced teams in the county. QB Sam Cerreta has been nails when the game is on the line. What gets overlooked is this team's defense and the job defensive coordinator Glen Cummings does. The Vikings have allowed just 77 points, and seven opponents have scored a TD or less. Fitch scored 12 but was shut out in the second half.

Last week, Lake was held to one TD, and that included an overtime. Hoover's 5-3 defense is good because of what DE Kyle Watts brings to the table. Watts has to be accounted for with most teams sending two players to block him. The domino affect usually opens something inside. LB Alex Ramsey is a sure tackler and a sparkplug. He leads the team with 76 tackle points. Watts has 58 tackle points, with 10 tackles for loss. Watts and Ramsey also play key roles on offense. Ramsey is the team's leading rusher, and Watts is the leading receiver and averages about 17 yards a catch.

Hoover's defense has an advantage because Jackson struggles to pass. The Polar Bears have attempted just 87 passes, about nine per game. Being one-dimensional hurts when Hoover spends all night with eight players in the box. Jackson has to throw the ball when North Canton least expects it.

Jackson gets a lift this week because RB Kyle Calvert, who would have more than 1,000 yards had he not missed much of the year with a knee injury, is back. Calvert doesn't go down easily. When Calvert was out, the silver lining was RB Mike Nemeth. He leads the Bears with 686 yards rushing and gives Jackson two options in the backfield.

The Polar Bears have struggled defending the pass. Opposing QBs have a respectable 73.65 passer rating against Jackson. Hoover has thrown for 1,332 yards and rushed for 1,371.

The Vikings have scored 15 rushing TDs and 15 passing TDs. It doesn't get more balanced than that.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Massillon Jackson Polar Bears Game Preview