Big finish is the big motivation

Friday, October 27, 2006

Todd Porter, Canton Repository

JACKSON TWP. - After nine weeks of football, a month of conditioning and countless hours of preparation, it boils down to a single game at North Canton and Jackson high schools.

Beat the archrival, and maybe sneak in the playoffs with a winning season and a slightly better taste in your mouth.

Lose and miss the playoffs, spending the next year wondering what went wrong.

"It boils down to who wants to finish the season strong," North Canton head coach Don Hertler Jr. said.

Jackson and North Canton Hoover enter tonight's game walking a fine line and both have marginal hopes of making the postseason. A one-game season will make a difference to the winner and loser.

"I think that's pretty accurate," Jackson head coach Phil Mauro said. "... For us, we just want to beat Hoover regardless of the record. It's a great game to have at the end of the season. It's what we're pointing toward. That's what we have in front of us."

Both teams have had their share of disappointment. North Canton will finish above .500 regardless, but 7-3 is different than 6-4.

"It sounds a lot better," Hertler said.

The Vikings have been an inconsistent offensive team. They've scored 10 points the last two weeks combined.

"There are a lot of reasons why we've been inconsistent," Hertler said. "We need some people to step forward (tonight). Last year, Kyle Robbins took over the game for us on offense. We need someone to do that. He got his chance in one game and did it. We need the same this week. We need someone to really step forward and take over a leadership and play-making role."

Jackson has playmakers in quarterback Brett Stefan and running back Carlin Isles. The Polar Bears may have a slight advantage because they are coming off a loss against McKinley a week ago, and the Bulldogs' game speed is faster than North Canton.

"That helps," Mauro said. "It's hard to simulate speed in practice. We had some great speed at a lot of positions last week."

Hoover's offense has been Jekyll-and-Hyde this year. Quarterback Jared Wackerly has been effective without a pass rush. If Jackson is able to penetrate the pocket, North Canton will have to rely on a ground game that's been up and down.

"It's a one-game season," Hertler said. "You want to play your best game last, and we've been close on a lot of things. We haven't quite put it all together in all three phases many times. It's a rivalry game, and it's huge to finish a season.

"There's always a chance of getting in the playoffs. Last year, we didn't think we had much chance, and we got in."

It's a window that is cracked for both teams. Jackson sits in 11th place in Division I, Region 2. Hoover is 14th. The top eight get in the playoffs.

"Neither team will know until (tonight) who bounces back from last week," Hertler said. "Our kids have bounced back in practice, but you can't tell until the game. Like I said, it's about who wants to finish the season strong."

And feel better about themselves for the next year.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Massillon Jackson Polar Bears Game Preview