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2008 Hoover Vikings Preview

August 16, 2008

Canton Repository

HEAD COACH: Don Hertler Jr., 13th season, 96-39

LAST YEAR: 10-3, 6-1

FOUNDATION: The Vikings look to rebuild much of an offense that averaged 29.3 points per game a year ago. But they do have two all-county players to build upon, tailback Erick Howard and lineman Dom Boyle. Howard rushed for 1,330 yards last season and is on the radar of major colleges.

BUILDING BLOCKS: While they don’t have an abundance of starters back on either side of the ball, Hertler likes many of his returning lettermen. Receivers Dan Nettleton and Greg Beck should be good targets in the passing game. Defensive back Jeff Meek, linebacker Tim Hartzell and nose guard Mike Kohler must anchor the defense.

WEDGES: The Vikings break in a new quarterback after Jared Wackerly passed for more than 3,500 yards the last two years, including 2,526 last season. Joe Cerreta and Brett Tulodzieski are the two candidates to take over. ... The Vikings also will feature a revamped kicking game, though, A.J. Sarbaugh has some varsity experience as a kicker.

A work in progress at Hoover

Youthful Vikings, though, still know how to win

August 18, 2008

Chris Beaven, Canton Repository

NORTH CANTON Don't pass any judgments on the Hoover High School football team these

next few weeks. With new starters taking over many positions, give the Vikings some time to

come together.

"We're still searching for guys, and we probably will be early in the year, " Hoover head coach

Don Hertler Jr. said.

But when it comes to building a league championship team, few know how to do it better than

Hoover and Hertler.

HOOVER'S HISTORY

The Vikings are the defending Federal League champs. They have won at least a share of the

league title eight times the last 13 seasons. And despite heavy graduation losses, it would be

foolish to ever count them out of a league race in the preseason.

"We just have to find guys that can fill roles, and I think we can find guys to fill those roles,"

Hertler said. "We may not be quite as talented as last year, but if we play with heart and we play great defense, we have a chance."

NEW QUARTERBACK

Gone from last year's 10-3 team which reached the regional finals are a 2,000-yard passer (Jared Wackerly), a 1,000-yard receiver (Matt Wakulchik), the leading tackler (Kevin Dahl), a dominant two-way lineman (James Georgiades) and assorted other leaders and playmakers.

"We have a lot of people to replace, and we're trying a lot of different guys," Hertler said.

Hoover, though, is not completely without experienced players, including a pair of all-county performers — offensive lineman Dom Boyle and tailback Erick Howard.

Howard, just a junior, rushed for 1,330 yards a season ago and returns stronger.

"He's had a really good summer," Hertler said. "He has a good motor."

So does the 210-pound Boyle, who also will play linebacker.

"Dom just plays really smart. He picks things up quick," Hertler said. "He's a quiet leader, and he needs to be the stabilizer guy for us."

A SOLID CORE

Other Vikings with extensive varsity experience include receivers Greg Beck and Dan Nettleton, nose guard Mike Kohler, linebacker Tim Hartzell and defensive backs Jeff Meek and Joe Cerreta. It's a solid core to build around.

But a number of other Vikings will need to step forward around them, including at quarterback. Cerreta is a candidate to take over at quarterback, along with Brett Tulodzieski, who lettered as a defensive back last season.

Relying on so many new starters will make this season a challenge, but it's one Hertler and his staff are embracing.

"You have to really coach to get guys to get more physical and more intense to go from JV to varsity," Hertler said. "We've got to be extremely fundamental. They have to understand the game and taking care of the football and creating turnovers. ... If we keep getting better every day and stay healthy, I think we can be competitive. We have to have the desire to stay unselfish and want to keep getting better."

NETWORK

Hoover Vikings Football

2008 Hoover Vikings Preview

Hoover head coach Don Hertler Jr. conducting drills during two-a-days.