Hoover @ Louisville

Canton Repository

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

LAST WEEK: Hoover 38, Washington Calvin Coolidge 18; Louisville 35, Mansfield Madison 13.

LAST MEETING: Louisville won 37-21 last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: These teams mirror each other in many ways. Both have aggressive, blitzing defenses that run primarily out of a 5-3 set. Both run a limited number of basic plays on offense but execute them well.

Louisville’s offense is led by senior QB Drew Kuhn, one of the best athletes in the county. He already has run for five TDs. RBs Brian Whaley and Brandon Hostetler along with a host of strong receivers, though, give the Leopards plenty of options. Louisville may be without senior OG Justin Butterfield (6-3, 295) because of an ankle injury. He will be a game-time decision.

Hoover QB Josh Nettleton is more of a drop-back passer. He has completed 61 percent of his passes for 270 yards, five TDs and one interception. The Vikings backfield is led by junior RB Seth Allman, who ran for 119 yards last week, and Scott Gnau. FB Dan Green didn’t play last year but is making an impact as a blocking back and a linebacker. “He’s been a great addition and gives us some toughness,” Hoover head coach Don Hertler Jr. said. WR Kyle Feinberg has three TDs among his seven catches.

The Vikings are young on defense with only three seniors:

DE Zac Cochenour, Sr. (returning starter)

DT Ken Staudinger, Jr. (returning starter)

NG Caleb Cross, Sr.

DT James Georgiades, So.

DE Kyle Robbins, Sr. (returning starter)

OLB Scott Gnau, Jr.

MLB Kevin Dahl, So.

OLB Jordan Bucar, Jr. (returning starter)

DB Seth Allman, Jr.

DB Matt Wakulchik, So

DB Aaron Dodds, Jr.