Hoover @ Austintown Fitch

Canton Repository

SITE: Falcon Stadium, Austintown, OH, 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS: Hoover 5-2, 3-1; Fitch 1-6, 0-4.

LAST WEEK: GlenOak 7, Hoover 6; Jackson 31, Fitch 21.

LAST MEETING: Hoover won, 10-7, last year.

WHAT TO WATCH: The Vikings head to Mahoning County for the second time in four weeks. Their last visit produced one of their more impressive wins, 38-7, at Boardman. This time, they are looking to regroup from a tough loss that knocked them from the top spot in the Federal League.

Hoover’s running game did not produce its usual big numbers (19 yards), and the Vikings were further hurt by two turnovers. Sophomore TB Erick Howard, limited to just 27 yards on 15 carries, leads Hoover with 816 yards rushing and 10 TDs. But what makes the Vikings so dangerous is their ability to throw the ball. Senior QB Jared Wackerly has thrown for 1,405 yards with 17 TDs and seven interceptions. He does a good job spreading the ball, routinely finding four and five targets. The go-to guy is senior WR Matt Wakulchik. He has 39 catches for 635 yards and nine scores.

Fitch’s offense was led by Nick Groat’s 107 yards rushing last week. Another weapon is RB Sylvestry Gibbs, who has good speed. The Falcons are coming off a 378-yard performance, but they turned the ball over four times.

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

Austintown Fitch Falcons Game Preview