Hoover @ Massillon Jackson

Canton Repository

SITE: Robert Fife Stadium, 7355 Mudbrrok Street NW, Massillon, OH

RECORDS: Hoover 8-1, 6-0; Jackson 5-4, 3-3

LAST WEEK: Hoover 14, GlenOak 10; Jackson 28, Perry 7

HEAD COACH : Thom McDaniels, second year, 9-10

LAST YEAR: 4-6, 3-4

LAST MEETING: Hoover won, 31-0, last year

WHAT TO WATCH: With a home playoff game sealed up, don't expect the Vikings to come in complacent. They have a chance to win a second straight Federal League title and run the table in the process, something few imagined in August.

Jackson not only can spoil those plans by beating its archrival, but a the Polar Bears have a chance to finish the season with four wins in their last five games.

Hoover junior RB Erick Howard leads Stark County in rushing (1,586 yards) and touchdowns (25). The Vikings protect leads by handing him the ball. Howard also is second in the league with 324 receiving yards on 15 catches. QB Brett Tulodzieski has completed 57.5 percent of his passes for a league-best 977 yards with just two interceptions in 120 attempts. Three other Vikings have at least 14 catches — WR Dan Nettleton (18-218), TE A.J. Sarbaugh (14-204) and WR Greg Beck (15-175).

Jackson, which clings to slim playoff hopes, has received strong play from QB Max Paulus. He leads the league with 10 TD passes while completing 56 percent of his passes for 897 yards. He completed 11 straight throws at one point last week. Paulus also has rushed for 204 yards and four scores. Ramon Brown has a league-high 29 catches for 317 yards and six TDs. Wyatt Lloyd has 12 catches for 164 yards and two TDs. RB James Hanlon has started the last two weeks and produced a 100-yard game each time.

FEDERAL LEAGUE GAMES:

Week 9 won : Jackson 28 - Perry 7

Week 8 lost: Jackson 25 - Lake 28

Week 7 won: Jackson 20 - Boardman 16

Week 6 won: Jackson 19 - Fitch 6

Week 5 lost: Jackson 13 - McKinley 37

Week 4 lost: Jackson 14 - GlenOak 31

MOTIVATION:

• Jackson is mathematically alive for a playoff spot with a 5-4 record. Their chances hinge on beating Hoover.
  

• They are motivated.
  

• Jackson is steadily improving as the season progresses. They have won three out of their last four games.
  

• They are coming off a big win against Perry (28 - 7).
  

• Their players are executing their assignments well (Perry game).
  

• They are a formitable foe, not to be taken lightly. They are a formitable foe, not to be taken lightly. They are a formitable foe, not to be taken lightly.
  

OFFENSE

Quarterback - #3 Max Paulus (6-0, 179, Sr.)

• Attempts -149, Completions - 84, Passing Yards -  889, TDs - 10, Interceptions - 4
  

• Against Perry: 12 for 14 - 122 yards and 1 TD
  

• Most effective from a 4 receicer spread set where all 4 receivers are in a "GO" pattern. Paulus was most comfortable hitting the right slot receiver 5-10 yards down field on a quick hit. The recipient was either #4 Ramon Brown or #84 Will Pachan. The only other location Paulus threw was the left wideout near the line of scrimmage.
  

• Endzone Play: Paulus faked a handoff to the tailback (Hanlon) off-tackle left and reversed rollout right (he's right handed) with 2-3 receivers crossing through the endzone at the goal line and back line.
  

• Accurate reads and doesn't force the ball
  

• Difficulty handling pressure up the middle. Resulting in 3 Perry sacks and 3 hurries.
  

Rushing - #34 James Hanlon (5-8, 172, Sr.)

• Converted defensive back starting his third game against Hoover at the tailback position
  

• Plays downfield with good vision
  

• Against Lake: 103 yards on 23 carries (first start)
  

• Against Perry: 139 yards on 25 carries
  

• Returns kickoffs
  

Receiving - #4 Ramon Brown (5-7, 174, Sr.)

• Leads the receiving corp with 27 catches for 290 yards and 6 TD's
  

O- line

• LT - Erik Carlson (6-4, 251, Sr.) returning starter
  

• RT - Griffin Erlitz (6-0, 234, Sr.)
  

• C - Ben Ash (5-10, 199, Sr.)
  

• G - Nick Sobevski (5-11, 212, Jr.)
  

• G - Jon Berkowitz (5-9, 243, Sr.)
  

DEFENSE

• DE - #47 Dustin Musser (5-11, 201, Sr.)
  

• NG - #72 Alex Gorgievski (5-10, 215, Sr.) Anchor
  

• DE - #36 Brad Holt (6-0, 208, Sr.)
  

• OLB - #48 Sonny Boswell (5-10, 190, Sr.)
  

• MLB - Drew Blinco #40 (5-10, 201, Sr.) Leading Tackler
  

• OLB - #30 Kyle Arrington (6-0, 198, Sr.)
  

• S - Nathan Kanam (5-9, 154, Sr.)
  

• S - Casey Irwin (5-8, 165, Jr.)
  

• CB - Wyatt Lloyd (6-2, 163, Sr.)
  

• CB - Mike Benroth (5-10, 170, Sr.)
  

• Against Perry, the Jackson linebackers were free to make tackles thanks in part to Jackson's strong defensive line play.
  

Don Hertler Jr. Era vs Jackson:

2007 Hoover 31 - Jackson 0

2006 Hoover 21 - Jackson 7 (34 rushing yards on 31 carries)

2005 Hoover 10 - Jackson 7

2004 Jackson 34 - Hoover 0

2003 Hoover 19 - Jackson 7

2002 Hoover 13 - Jackson 0

2001 Hoover 10 - Jackson 9 (playoffs)

2001 Jackson 20 - Hoover 10

2000 Hoover 14 - Jackson 7

1999 Hoover 28 - Jackson 3

1998 Hoover 20 - Jackson 10

1997 Hoover 30 - Jackson 0

1996 Jackson 20 - Hoover 10

NETWORK

Jackson Polar Bears Game Preview

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover Vikings Football

Massillon Jackson Polar Bears Game Preview