Hoover puts 3-0 record on line againt McKinley

Wednesday, September 13, 2006 By

Chris Beaven, Canton Repository

NORTH CANTON They do not look like the finished product Don Hertler Jr. envisions down the road — a physical, consistent high school football team, solid in all phases.

The Hoover Vikings, though, are 3-0, and what Hertler saw from them in the final quarter of their latest win was a step in the right direction.

“That was our first test, and we played well in the fourth quarter,” said Hertler, whose team rallied to beat Louisville.

The win sets up Saturday night’s showdown at Fawcett Stadium against 3-0 McKinley. It is Hoover’s Federal League opener, while McKinley began league play with a come-from-behind win at Lake a week ago.

Hoover’s comeback featured three fourth-quarter touchdowns to erase a 7-6 deficit in winning, 25-7.

“We had some kids step forward and make plays in the fourth quarter; whether it be interceptions or good tough runs or defensive stops,” Hertler said.

The playmakers included Kevin Dahl and Seth Allman. Each made fourth-quarter interceptions. Dahl also scored on a pair of short TD runs, and Allman had a nice kickoff return late in the third quarter.

Backs Scott Gnau and Phillip Howard also contributed to the running game, as did receiver Aaron Dodds on a key end around. And receiver Matt Wakulchik caught a TD pass from Jared Wackerly for the third straight game.

All of those things, in addition to limiting Louisville to 162 total yards, give Hertler reason for optimism. He is concerned about the team’s injuries.

“You never have enough depth,” Hertler said. “We’ve got to get other guys prepared and ready to play.”

As those less experienced players learn expanded roles while some regulars heal, it disrupts practices.

“The problem is it’s tough to improve sometimes, and we need to keep improving,” Hertler said.

Hoover essentially has 11 new full-time starters on offense. Hertler said the new offensive line is “making slow progress.”

“We just have to do a better job being more physical, coming off the football and staying with our men, and executing in general,” Hertler said. “We’re not the biggest team in the world. We have to really hustle and stay after people to give our backs a crease.”

The Vikings have talent in the backfield.

“Howard’s getting a little better each game and with ... Dahl and Gnau, it gives us a little more punch, a little more power,” Hertler said.

Playing physical football is the foundation of the Hoover program under Hertler. When the Vikings are at their best, they control games by pounding people up front.

Hertler sees a number of Vikings playing that type of football. But “we need more guys to play physical.”

“We’re making slow improvement,” he said. “We’ll find out this week if it’s enough.”

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