Hoover @ Massillon Jackson

Canton Repository

SITE: Robert Fife Stadium, Massillon, OH, 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS: Jackson 6-3, 3-3; North Canton 1-8, 1-5.

LAST WEEK: McKinley 49, North Canton 14, Jackson 14, Boardman 0.

LAST MEETING: North Canton won 19-7 last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: Hoover is struggling, but the Vikings’ 5-3 defense matches up well against Jackson’s spread offense.

However, the Vikings have not played assignment football defensively, and that has hurt. Look for Jackson QB Chris Kessler to take advantage of North Canton’s overaggressiveness at the DE positions. If Hoover’s DEs lose containment and pinch off the edges, Kessler will have a big night.

Jackson head coach Phil Mauro said this is the healthiest Kessler has been in about a month. If that is the case, he is a heady QB who can hurt a defense with his legs first, lull them to sleep and then throw downfield, most often to WR Kyle Mauro.

North Canton QB Jason Foote did not play last week because of an injury. The Vikings will spread the Jackson defense and throw the ball much of the night.

Jackson has not been tested against the pass too often. The last team that came out to throw the ball first against the Polar Bears was GlenOak, and the Golden Eagles gave Jackson its first loss in Week 5.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover Vikings Football

Massillon Jackson Polar Bears Game Preview