Hoover vs Uniontown Lake

Canton Repository

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

RECORDS: Lake 4-4, 2-1; North Canton Hoover 8-0, 2-0.

LAST WEEK: Perry 26, Lake 7; North Canton Hoover 49, Boardman 28.

LAST MEETING: North Canton won, 28-12, last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: North Canton has won the last three games against Lake,

and the Vikings are trying to clinch at least a share of the Federal League title. So is Lake.

The winner of this game will leave, at worst, as a co-Federal League champion.

A North Canton win, combined with a Perry loss, would clinch the league outright for the

Vikings. In 1998, the Vikings finished the regular season 9-1.

The only loss that year was to Lake. Hoover is trying for a perfect 10-0 for the first time since 1975. The head coach of that team was Don Hertler Sr. His son is the head coach at North Canton now and is trying to navigate an unbeaten regular season for the first time after five 9-1 seasons, including the last two. North Canton's 5-3 defense could be problematic for Lake, but if the Vikings gamble a lot, they will get burned by Lake TE Kyle Sodergren. The Blue Streaks like to throw to Sodergren, and QB John Rutan is capable throwing the ball. Rutan also is a threat to run the football. Look for Hoover to call a fairly conservative game on defense at least by North Canton standards until the Vikings either have a lead or has to make up ground on the scoreboard. The Blue Streaks will put the ball in Rutan's hands. He can make plays through the air, and he runs the option well and scrambles very well. Hoover's defense has to maintain its lanes, otherwise Rutan won't hesitate to run. The Blue Streaks will be tested defensively. This is the most balanced team Lake will have faced this season. Hoover QB Sam Cerreta has quietly put together a very solid year. The Vikings have two RBs in Alex Ramsey and Mike Wright capable of big games. North Canton is not sophisticated offensively. The Vikings have used about 10 plays most of the season, but those 10 plays are ran out of various sets that alter motion before the snap. Many times, that motion sets up a play fake to open a hole. If Lake doesn't turn the ball over and goes into halftime with a lead, the Blue Streaks can win. However, if the Vikings smell blood at halftime, they have been very good at slamming the door shut.

Hoover wide receiver Joe Pope works his way through a swarm of defenders.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Uniontown Lake Blue Streaks Game Preview