Hoover vs Austintown Fitch

Canton Repository

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

RECORDS: Fitch 6-0, 3-0; Hoover 1-5, 1-2

LAST WEEK: Fitch 14, Jackson 6; GlenOak 28, Hoover 7.

LAST MEETING: Hoover won 26-12 last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: Hoover’s offense continues to struggle, coming up empty three times against GlenOak inside the Golden Eagles 20. That can’t happen this week.

Fitch will limit possessions in the game, get in its stacked I and run the ball. In order to defend that, it is important for Hoover to get an early lead and force the Falcons to do something they don’t do well, throw the ball.

Hoover's corp of linebackers will have their work cut out for them with GlenOak's stacked I running game. Aaron Miller, Sr. MLB will lead the attack. Joining Miller at the linebacker position are John Bertsch, Jr. OLB, Kyle Adams, Sr. OLB and up and coming sophomore LB Jordan Bucar. Last week against GlenOak, Bucar had seven stops.

No one has really tested a defense that has allowed about 10 points a game through the air, but the Vikings have the ability to do so. Hoover’s offense can’t afford to make mistakes. It is a blue-collar offense that has to use the abilities of both QB Jason Foote and RB Jon Bertsch.

The Hoover defense can’t forget about Fitch QB John Mang. Last week, Jackson stopped the stacked-I, and the Falcons went to the shotgun and allowed Mang to run the ball. The key player in this offense is RB Mike Eliseo.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover Vikings Football

Austintown Fitch Falcons Game Preview