Hoover Vikings Preview

Monday, August 24, 2009

Todd Porter, Canton Repository

SHOES TO FILL Nate Dodds and Dom Boyle were leaders on the line and played solidly for the Vikings.

Joe Cerreta manned the DBs and gave head coach Don Hertler Jr. an option at QB as well.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS RB Erick Howard was the 2008 Mr. Football for good reason. He ran for 2,304 yards

and 30 TDs, taking over games. There were plenty of close ones in the second half of the season that could have gone either way, but Howard made sure they went to Hoover. Look for him to expand his role at linebacker this year. QB Brett Tulodzieski is a heady player, and a year of starting experience will help immensely. A.J. Sarbaugh is one of the best tight ends in the county and a terrific punter. Mark Wiley provides leadership on the line.

TOP NEWCOMERS Andrew Sanford is a likely starter as well as Brian Hayes and Marcus Muffet on the offensive line. Keep an eye on J.C. Everett at wide receiver and defensive back. Ben Gardner will be a lead blocker for Howard at fullback and play linebacker.

FINAL ANALYSIS Hertler has never had a team with this much experience coming back. Hoover typically does a great job when it is senior-laden and players have tasted success. The battle now is whether last year’s rewards went to the Vikings’ heads. No one in Stark County does as good a job developing quarterbacks as Hertler, so look for Tulodzieski to make the offense more balanced.

Stark County’s top five teams

1, Hoover

The Vikings seek a third straight Federal League title

and their sixth overall in the 2000s.

2, McKinley

A loaded defense has the Bulldogs primed for another

playoff run.

3, Louisville

Graduation hit the Leopards hard, but plenty of talent

remains as they look to defend their NBC title and win

it for the sixth time in the 2000s.

4, Massillon