Victory vital for battered Hoover, tough-luck Lake

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Chris Beaven, Canton Repository

NORTH CANTON - Something more than talent on the football field got the

Hoover Vikings through a difficult challenge last week.

The Vikings became resilient, relying on character and toughness to win.

They might need to call on it again Friday night, when they visit a Lake High

School football team needing its own resiliency to turn its season around.

The 7:30 game at Lake Blue Streak Stadium features teams hoping big things

await in the second half of the season.

“It’s halfway through the year and time to kick it up another notch,” said

Hoover head coach Don Hertler Jr., whose team is 4-1 despite a rash of injuries

and illnesses.

Lake is 2-3, having lost three straight after two impressive wins. Two losses

have come in the final seconds, leaving the Blue Streaks needing a big win

to get things rolling again.

“We have a second season,” Lake head coach Jeff Durbin said. “With our

schedule, there isn’t anybody we can’t beat, and there isn’t anybody

that can’t beat us. We have to focus on getting a win and hopefully we’ll get one this week. It’s certainly a tall order.”

Hoover is on its way to possibly meeting its goal of a second straight trip to the playoffs, though it has not been easy.

The Vikings rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Boardman, 21-14, last week. They overcame the absence of seven starters to play a strong final three quarters.

“You need to make some breaks, which we did,” Hertler said. “... We’ve got pretty good character on this team, and we have a lot of kids that this is pretty important to them.”

The Vikings are playing far from perfect.

“We’re still making way too many unforced errors,” he said. “We’re not consistent enough. But they’re playing hard, and they are trying to do what they’re asked to do. If you do that, you’ve got a chance.”

Hoover should get some help Friday with the return of running back-linebacker Kevin Dahl, who was out last week. But running back-linebacker Phillip Howard is questionable, tight end-linebacker Mitch Rose is out at least a month and linebacker Jordan Bucar has been playing with a sprained neck the entire season.

Helping the Vikings persevere are a number of senior standouts. OLB Scott Gnau, OLB Jordan Bucar, DE Neil Michaels, DB Seth Allman and DL Ken Staudinger were among those stepping up last week. But they were far from alone.

Junior quarterback Jared Wackerly and junior receiver Matt Wakulchik combined for two touchdowns. Ten Vikings ran the ball or caught a pass in the Boardman game. Injuries are forcing the Vikings to dig deep into their depth chart.

“Seven, eight kids stepped in and did the job,” Hertler said.

Among that group were guard-defensive tackle Kenny Moore, fullback Cory Hastings, defensive lineman Jon Georgiades, defensive lineman Kyle Hennis, defensive end Greg Tischler and linebacker-running back Erik Howard.

Howard, a freshman, made his varsity debut last week against Boardman filling in for the injured Kevin Dahl at middle linebacker.

“It’s a credit to the older kids for accepting him and trying to take him under their wing,” Hertler said. “Our kids want to win. They respect his ability and his attitude on the field.”

Hertler expects a similar effort at Lake.

“We think they’re the second-best team we’ve played this year behind McKinley,” Hertler said. “ ... They’re always well-coached. The two tailbacks are outstanding, and the quarterback is good. They also play excellent defense.”

All that Lake is missing are results. The Blue Streaks got them early, but things changed when McKinley rallied in the final minutes to beat them 24-20 in Week 3. The Bulldogs scored with 20.2 seconds left.

Lake then lost a hard-fought 14-7 game at unbeaten Perry before Jackson scored three TDs in the final 7 1/2 minutes to beat the Streaks 20-14. Jackson scored the game-winner on a 69-yard run on the final play.

“ ... We don’t have any time to feel sorry for ourselves,” Durbin said. “We’re a good football team. When the game is on the line, we have to make plays and as coaches, we have to make some calls so they get chance to make plays.”

Lake is led by tailbacks Josh McCutcheon and Gene Onabiyi, and quarterback T.J. Viscuso. McCutcheon also is a defensive leader along with Michael Rutan. The Blue Streaks have had some injuries, and they hope to get back tight end-defensive end Scott Chlebina this week.

“Our kids should be able to get up for this game,” Durbin said. “It’s homecoming, and Hoover’s a neighboring school. Normally, it’s easy to get motivated for this one.”

NETWORK

Hoover quarterback Jared Wackerly looks for a receiver during the Vikings’ drills in North Canton on Tuesday. Hoover, with a record of 4-1 visits, Lake on Friday night. The Blue Streaks, trying to stop a three-game losing skid, are 2-3. - Scott Heckel

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover Vikings Football

Uniontown Lake Blue Streaks Game Preview