Hoover @ Green

Canton Repository

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

2003 RECORDS: Hoover 11-1, Green 8-2.

LAST MEETING: Hoover won 40-3 last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: This could be a role reversal of a year ago, when the Vikings dominated the season opener. The Bulldogs appear to have what Hoover had in 2003.

Green QB Billy Cundiff is one of the best in the area. He has thrown for a little more than 2,000 yards in leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Suburban League titles. Cundiff has perfect size for a high school quarterback at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, and he will be the most experienced quarterback on the field Friday night. He also doubles as one of Green’s best defenders at safety, where he intercepted eight passes last season in limited playing time.

Green also has one of the Suburban League’s best running backs in Drew McDermitt, who gained more than 1,000 yards last season out of Green’s pro-I offense. Hoover will try to exploit Green’s offensive line, which is inexperienced and unproven.

This will be a good early test for Hoover, which takes pride in playing strong defense. The Vikings have their own question marks on offense. Potentially, they could be explosive. QB Jason Foote moved into the Hoover district from Perry and is battling Sean Kostelnik for the position. Both are expected to play Friday. This could be a problem trying to develop offensive consistency, but it is still early and the Vikings are looking for someone to separate himself. The receiver corps is strong as a whole. Nathan Logan, who comes from a tradition-steeped Hoover family, can be a playmaker. At 6-2, 195, he will be bigger than most defensive backs. One of the few returning starters is Joe Pope at wide receiver. Don’t be surprised to see TE Grant Keeney become a solid passing option.

Hoover head coach Don Hertler Jr. loves a balanced offense, and with RBs Kyle Adams and John Bertschs, that aspect of the offense won’t be ignored.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Green Bulldogs Game Preview