Hoover vs Canton McKinley

Canton Repository

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

RECORDS: McKinley 2-3; Hoover 5-0.

LAST WEEK: St. Ignatius 34, McKinley 14; Hoover 21, GlenOak 6.

LAST MEETING: McKinley won 7-6 in the 1999 playoffs.

WHAT TO WATCH: Consider this the start of a backyard rivalry. These programs have not met in the regular season since 1985, but this will become an annual event with McKinley joining the Federal League next year.

A pair of top tailbacks will be featured in this game. Hoover's Alex Ramsey rushed for 192 yards on 35 carries a week ago as the Vikings' line controlled things up front. McKinley coach Brian Cross likes the way the 165-pound Ramsey, who is an All-Ohio middle distance runner, can make things happen inside or out. "He runs extremely hard," Cross said. "He's a really tough kid, and he has good quickness to find a hole. He picks up yardage where you don't think there is any." McKinley's offense is led by junior TB Ryan Brinson, who is coming off a season-low 33 yards on 11 carries. "They were giving us our fullback and really trying to take Ryan away," Cross said of St. Ignatius. "A couple of times, had we just executed a little better, Ryan had a chance to get longer yardage."

Execution problems, though, are becoming a recurring theme with the Bulldogs. They've had just enough breakdowns the last three weeks in all three areas to cost them against state-ranked teams Marion Harding, Jackson and St. Ignatius. McKinley needs to get Brinson the ball with some room to operate, and the Bulldogs need to find consistency in the passing game. Junior QB Mike Shaffer looked sharp at times in the first half against Ignatius, as did WR Mark Jackson. But breakdowns up front kept the passing game grounded in the second half.

Cross knows Hoover will play an aggressive 5-3 defense with plenty of "stunts and stemming up front, which is tough to deal with." Cross said the key is to attack the Vikings and not to sit back and let them make their moves.

The Bulldogs also must improve on special teams, especially on their kickoffs and punts. But for all of McKinley's recent struggles, Hoover coach Don Hertler Jr. knows this is a dangerous team. "They have very good skill and a great running back. Really, it's one great one (Brinson) and one very good one (FB Mike Kirksey). They're really big up front, and they always have kids who can run and tackle. We know they've played a great schedule with three losses to great football teams."

Hoover has shown the ability to win some tight games, and Cross can see why. "They're not overly big, but they have good quickness on both sides of the ball, and they just keep coming at you," he said. "It seems like the philosophy to them is the next play is the most important play. They don't seem to get rattled if you get a big play on them, and they don't seem to get over-excited if they make a big play."

A concern for Hoover is injuries. Hertler said a half-dozen Vikings are banged up. "We can't afford to lose our front-line people," he said. "We just don't have the great depth this year."

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Canton McKinley Bulldogs Game Preview