Hoover vs Uniontown Lake

Canton Repository

SITE: North Canton Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS: Hoover 3-1, 1-0; Lake 2-2, 0-2

HEAD COACH: Jeff Durbin, 19th season, 140-73

LAST YEAR: 7-4, 4-3

LAST WEEK: Hoover 21, Perry 0; Boardman 24, Lake 10

LAST MEETING: Hoover won, 42-21, last year

WHAT TO WATCH: These teams are headed in opposite directions, with Hoover winning its last two and Lake losing two in a row. The Blue Streaks have struggled to defend the run and generate their own ground game the last six quarters against McKinley and Boardman, getting outrushed,

356-56, in that time. That stat coincides with this: Lake has converted just 1-of-16 third downs the last six quarters.

Hoover’s offense got going last week thanks in large part to its offensive line and FB Mike Kohler paving the way for TB Erick Howard. With some room to run, Howard went for 226 yards rushing and had another 97 yards receiving, scoring all three touchdowns.

Not to be overlooked, though, was the Hoover run defense. The Vikings limited Perry to less than 2 yards per carry and 50 total yards.

A concern for Hoover: three lost fumbles last week.

Lake Notebook:

Senior RB Tyler Crowl #20 (5-9, 185 lbs) is their go-to-guy racking up the majority of their offensive yards, with Junior QB Ryan Christiansen #15

(6-2, 185 lbs), Soph RB Jim Luther #27 (6-1, 168 lbs) and Senior FB Andrew Jones #36 (6-1, 194 lbs) also contributing.

Senior LB Travis Talkington #49 (5-10, 191 lbs) anchors the Lake defense.

Last week vs Boardman: Lake's only TD came when Senior QB Kyler King #10 (5-8, 145 lbs) threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Junior WR Derek Sitzlar #5 (6-0, 156 lbs). Sitzlar finished with four receptions for 53 yards to lead the Blue Streaks.

Lake's rushing offense struggled against Boardman gaining only 47 yards on 31 carries. The game was played at Lake on artificial turf - no mud! Credit goes to Boardman's defensive scheme and execution.

Like Louisville, Lake routinely circles the Hoover game on their schedule as a must win game. Lake has a tremendous football reputation and is a frequent OHSAA playoff qualifier. Lake is a dangerous opponent. Already 0 - 2 in League play, they're backs are against the wall and they'll come out fighting for survival.

Team Statistics thru Sept 12

Offensive

Offensive Points: 119

Rushing Attempts: 146 - Rushing Yards: 740 - Rushing Touchdowns: 10

Passing Attempts: 53 - Passing Completions: 27 - Passing Yards: 429 - Passing Touchdowns: 5

Fumbles: 13 - Fumbles Lost: 7

Interceptions: 1

Field Goals: 2

Defensive

Points: 85

Rushes Defended: 142 - Rushing Yards Allowed: 690

Passing Completions: 44 - Passing Yards Allowed: 544