Hoover abuzz over five-OT playoff win

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

CHRIS BEAVEN, Canton Repository

NORTH CANTON If they close their eyes and recall the plays, it might seem like a dream.

Too many things had to go their way for the Hoover Vikings to win Saturday's high school football playoff game.

Dramatic touchdowns on third downs. Do-or-die pass plays on a 2-point conversion and a fourth down. A clutch blocked field goal along with assorted defensive stops.

But just in case the Vikings thought they were dreaming, the buzz in the hallways of Hoover High School reminded them Monday what they achieved Saturday night.

"We did a lot of talking about it today. ... It was great," senior two-way lineman James Georgiades.

The Vikings put together a memorable 16-point comeback to beat Toledo St. John's, 40-33, in five overtimes - as the Division I regional quarterfinal equaled a state record for the longest playoff game.

"Everyone's still talking about it," senior linebacker-tight end Kevin Dahl said Monday afternoon. "We told everybody what happened, explained things to people."

Plenty happened during the four-hour marathon at North Canton Memorial Stadium.

Hoover rallied from a 16-0 deficit in the final 17 1/2 minutes. The Vikings forced overtime with a touchdown and 2-point conversion with 7.2 seconds left in regulation. The teams then traded big play after big play for more than an hour during the five overtimes.

"There were just so many big plays at the end of the game and in overtime," head coach Don Hertler Jr. said. "There's just too many to mention."

Not that everyone who attended the game saw all of those plays.

"Some people were saying they left early," Georgiades said.

His thoughts on that?

"Your bad. You missed quite a finish."

Hertler laughed when asked about people leaving early.

"Yeah, some of them came back. Others listened on the radio."

Those that missed the finish, though, can ask Georgiades about it.

"That's a game I'll never get tired of talking about," he said.

But wait a while before asking him.

"We need to get back down to earth and get focused on Nordonia," Hertler said.

Hoover and Nordonia play Saturday night at 7 in Massillon in the second round of the playoffs.

"When we practice (today), it's time to move on," Hertler said. "We've got to go back to work."

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