Beating Adversity

Pat Brady, Viking Views Staff Writer

From staph infections to broken collarbones,

this year’s Hoover football team saw it all.

Although their 7-3 record wasn’t good enough

to earn them a spot in the play-offs, it was a

testament of the hard work and determination

they had all year. Despite a start to the

season that was filled with various illnesses,

like staph infection and injuries that knocked

starters out for several games or even the season,

the Vikings didn’t slow down.

“With all the injuries at the beginning of the year

we just had to fill in the holes with the next guy

and keep playing, we didn’t have time to make

excuses,” senior Seth Allman said.

This meant that guys that weren’t used to playing

a lot had to step up and fill a bigger role and the guys who weren’t hurt had to step their game up too.

“People who were second and third teamers had to step up to fill the roles and get the job done,” senior Pat Orr said.

Senior Steve England agrees.

“All the starters who weren’t hurt had to be ready to step it up to the next level to make up for those guys missing,” he said. Part of the team’s toughness can be attributed to the rigorous practices over the summer in the heat.

“The toughest part is getting through two-a-days each year. It’s so hot and the practices get intense so you have to be mentally tough to get through them,” Orr said.

Allman agrees that the two-a-days over the summer help the team get stronger. “You hate them during the summer but when the games start and you get into the fourth quarter you need everything you’ve got,” Allman said.

Along with the long practices, once the season starts the coaches put together scouting reports on who they’ll be playing that week. So whether it

was the first or third string guy they knew what they would be up against. “Each week a new scouting report is made up of the team that we’re going to play. It’s a good way to see who you’ll be going up against and what plays you’re going to see,” Orr said.

The players also had film sessions to get ready for their next game.

“On Tuesdays the defensive backs would get together with Coach Logan and watch film to prepare for Friday’s game,” Allman said.

Going into the last game against Jackson the Vikings needed something just short of a miracle to make the play-offs. Despite this they went into

Jackson ’s stadium and beat them 21-7 In the seniors last game.

“My favorite part of the season was beating Jackson. Anytime we beat them it’s great but the mud made it much more fun,” England said.

Orr agreed.

“It was awesome beating them on their own field and on their senior night. It was so great there’s really no other way you would want to go out,” he said

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover Vikings Football

Massillon Jackson Game Review

The 2006 Hoover Vikings raise their helmets in celebration following their victory over Jackson and having completed a very successful and amazing season as they finish with a respectable 7-3 record. These Vikings never gave up as they overcame tremendous adversity in the way of team injuries. At one point in the season the Vikings were without 15 starters. "Whatever it takes," was their team motto. They delivered on that motta with shear determination and fortitude. Photo by Derek Quinn