Hoover @ Austintown Fitch

Canton Repository

SITE: Falcon Stadium, 4650 Falcon Drive. Youngstown, OH HSMaps Online

HEAD COACH: Phil Annarella, second season, 1-9;

28th season overall, 164-109-3

RECORDS: Hoover 5-1, 3-0; Fitch 3-3, 0-3

LAST YEAR: 1-9, 0-7

LAST MEETING: Hoover won, 34 - Fitch 7, last year

WHAT TO WATCH: Hoover’s defense delivered a big-time performance to keep the Vikings a half game out of first in the Federal League, shutting down the Boardman offense and giving up just 51 yards rushing.

A similar performance this week will be needed on the road. Strong defense and the running of Erick Howard (1,041 yards) are Hoover’s foundation for success. It has the Vikings sitting sixth in Region 2. But with McKinley, GlenOak and Jackson on the horizon, now is not the time for the Vikings to look ahead. “We can’t get caught in a trap game this week,” Hoover coach Don Hertler Jr. said. “Fitch has got great athletes. We’re going on a long trip and coming off an emotional three weeks. We’ve got to get back to a high level and not take any steps backwards.”

Fitch hurt itself with turnovers last week, losing the ball four times in the loss to Jackson. QB Jon Ballard and RB Sylvestry Gibbs are the top playmakers for the Falcons, who have lost 15 of their last 16 league games.

Summary

After a 3-0 start, Fitch has given up 76 points in three league losses. Offensively, the Falcons have rushed for just 243 yards the last three weeks and have scored only once in the last nine quarters. They averaged 41.7 points during the first three weeks, led by RB Sylvestry Gibbs and QB Jon Ballard. Over the last three games the Falcons have averaged a mere 8.9 points per game.

Foundation

Sylvestry Gibbs returns as a starter at running back, and he has three years of varsity experience. His mix of size and speed gives the Falcons a nice offensive threat. He is receiving college interest from Cincinnati, Iowa, Indiana, North Carolina State and West Virginia. Fitch’s running game is further bolstered by another veteran in the backfield, running back Nick Groat. He put together a 100-yard game against Jackson last season.

Building blocks

Entering their second season using the spread offense after being a stack-I power football team, the Falcons hope further familiarity in the system brings better results. They return seven starters on offense, including QB Jon Ballard, and they have good experience up front.

Wedges

With 17 lettermen back, the Falcons hope to climb back up after a four-season slide from league champs to a one-win season. They gave up the most points (261) in the league last season, while scoring the fewest (116).

Team Stats (through 6 games)

Offensive

Points 151

Rushing Attempts 93

Rushing Yards 243

Rushing Touchdowns

2 Fumbles-Lost 2-1

Passing Attempts 77

Passing Completions 37

Passing Yards 346

Passing Touchdowns 1

Interceptions 5