Hoover vs Austintown Fitch

Canton Repository

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

RECORDS: Fitch 3-4, 1-3; Hoover 5-2, 2-2.

LAST MEETING: Hoover won, 19-14, last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: The Vikings are coming off their finest defensive effort. They shut out

GlenOak and allowed just 90 total yards.

Senior MLB Jordan Bucar led the defensive charge. “He plays with enthusiasm and was all

over the place," Hoover head coach Don Hertler Jr. said following last week's victory over

GlenOak. "He's the heart and soul of the defense," Hertler added.

“The guys up front let him (Bucar) make plays.” Hertler thought his seniors brought great

emotion and energy, which picked up the team.

The Vikings, though, are still banged up and likely will be without five regulars Friday.

That puts pressure on veteran players such as Bucar, Kevin Dahl, Kenny Staudinger,

Seth Allman, Scott Gnau and Matt Wakulchik to step up and make big plays.

One young player stepping up is freshman RB Erick Howard. He has played the last three

weeks, making his presence felt more and more. He came on strong against GlenOak,

rushing for 55 second-half yards on 11 carries.

Fitch comes in with a three-game losing streak. The Falcons have played tough defense,

but have not been able to generate enough offense. They have not scored more than

10 points since Week 3. They did break the 200-yard mark for the second time last week

with a season-high 285, but still came up short in a 14-9 loss to Jackson. Still, Fitch’s

physical nature is a concern. “It’s really difficult to simulate how hard they come off the

ball and how hard they come at you,” Hertler said.

NETWORK

Bucar

Gnau

Allman

Dahl

Staudinger

Wakulchik

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover Vikings Football

Austintown Fitch Falcons Game Preview