2003 Hoover Vikings Preview

Monday, August 18, 2003

Canton Repository

Head Coach: Don Hertler Jr., seventh year, 52-16 Last year's record: 8-3, 6-0

Returning lettermen:

Brian Drukenbrod, Sr., WR-DB, 6-1, 170;

Sam Cerreta, Sr., QB-DB, 6-3, 175;

J.C. Heighway, Sr., K, 6-0, 179;

Dan Gruber, Sr., WR-DB, 6-0, 179;

Alex Ramsey, Sr., RB-LB, 5-8, 165;

Tom Santelle, Sr., RB-LB, 6-0, 201;

Mike Wright, Sr., RB-DB, 5-8, 160;

Jeff Bair, Sr., RB-DB, 5-11, 200;

Jon Andrews, Sr., OL-DL, 6-1, 217;

Mark Rose, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 212;

Matt Wiley, Sr., OL-DL, 5-11, 235;

Ryan Moldovan, Sr., OL-DL, 6-3, 220;

Kyle Watts, Sr., WR-DB, 5-10, 175;

Chris Zaluski, Sr., RB-DE, 5-11, 193;

Chaz Keeney, Sr., TE-DE, 6-4, 230.

Shoes to fill: One of the best players to come through North Canton, Curt Lukens, is gone. He excelled at any position Hoover needed - linebacker, running back and wide receiver. ... Two-way lineman Jordan Roth will be missed as will linebacker Jim Pope and defensive end Pete Foradas. No one in the Federal League pressured a quarterback better than Foradas.

Difference makers: Running back Alex Ramsey has been slowed by a pulled muscle in his back, but he is the offensive sparkplug this season. He may not have great size, but Ramsey brings a burst when he runs the ball. ... Hertler likes the speed he is seeing from defensive end-wide receiver Kyle Watts. ... Defensive back Mike Wright also returns kicks and will see some time at running back. .... Punter J.C. Heighway will have to bring a solid kicking game when he is called on. Early in the season, his kicks can give the defense the breathing room it will need while it develops. ... Matt Wiley is being looked upon as a leader on the offensive line.

Top newcomers: First-year quarterback Sam Cerreta (6-3, 175) will have to develop early on. ... Chaz Keeney saw a lot of action in double tight end sets last season and will get more playing time this year. ... Other players to watch Mark Rose, Chris Zaluski, John Andrews and Brian Druckenbrod.

Keys to the season: Hoover lost a lot of beef and talent from last year's team. "We need more sophomores and juniors to come along and give us some depth," said Hertler, who expects as many as eight players to play both ways, about five too many by Hoover standards.

Pivotal games: Hertler laughs when asked what he believes is a pivotal game the schedule. "Our school has never been involved in a schedule like this," Hertler said. "There are 10 good or outstanding opponents." An improved Green team is waiting in the first week of the season, to be followed by Buchtel, Louisville, Perry, GlenOak and McKinley. "I'll put that schedule up against anybody's," Hertler said.

Turning point last season: Hoover started last season 1-2 before winning three games in a row and putting themselves back in the playoff hunt. During Week 7 against GlenOak, the Vikings beat the Golden Eagles 17-14 in OT at Fawcett Stadium. North Canton finished the year with a seven-game winning streak before running into a loaded Massillon team the first week of the playoffs.

What's new this season: The Vikings plan to run more shotgun offense this season and throw the ball more. Cerreta has good arm strength. "We need to be able to run the ball to throw, and throw the ball to run," Hertler said.

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Hoover Vikings Football

2003 Hoover Vikings Preview

Hoover Vikings run through plays during two-a-days.