Hoover @ Louisville

Canton Repository

SITE: Louisville Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS: North Canton Hoover 2-0; Louisville 0-2.

LAST WEEK: North Canton Hoover 14, Buchtel 7; Kent Roosevelt 35, Louisville 6.

LAST MEETING: Louisville won 21-20 in OT last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: The Leopards need to get better play from their offensive line and this is a Herculean test for that group. North Canton's defensive front is not as big as past Hoover teams, but this unit is quick and gets to the QB in a hurry. Louisville will run the spread offense and try to hit quick, short passes and catch the Vikings blitzing LBs, which creates seams in the middle of the field that can yield big plays. QB Josh Vacha will look for Justin Haddad, who is capable of making big plays. North Canton has played more man-to-man defense.

The Vikings' offense proved last week it could make plays when needed. North Canton needs to develop more consistency on this side of the ball. Hoover struggled to run the football last week, but QB Sam Cerreta was terrific throwing it. This team is starting to take on the scrappy image of its lanky QB. Cerreta hit Brian Drukenbrod on a 9-yard TD pass to win the game with eight seconds left. If North Canton can find a good run-to-pass mix, the Vikings can be a potent team.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Louisville Leopards Game Preview