Hoover @ Austintown Fitch Falcons

Friday, October 8, 2010

SITE: Falcon Stadium, 7:30 PM Directions

RECORDS: Fitch 6-0, Hoover 3-3.

LAST WEEK: Fitch 35 - Jackson 7; Boardman 24 - Hoover 14.

LAST MEETING: Hoover won 31-20, last year.

FITCH SCOUTING REPORT:

The Falcons at 6-0, are ranked in the top 10 in Ohio's Division I AP Poll.

The Falcons’ hurry-up, no-huddle offense is exhausting for opponents and capable

of racking up big numbers on the ground. (1)

Through six games, the Falcons have racked up 1,542 rushing yards,

averaging 257 rushing yards per game.

The offense is led by junior QB Demitrious Davis, who is a multi-dimensional

threat. (2)

Davis is Fitch's primary ballcarrier through six games averaging 98 rushing

yards per game. When Davis goes back to pass he has multiple targets to choose

from in receivers Chris Davis (12-145-1), Cam Patterson (8-161-1) and

Nick Williams (7-98-2).

Defensively, the Falcons run a 3-3 stack. To compensate for their lack of size up

front, the Falcons swarm to the ball with good team speed. Linebackers Shane Stevens

and Bruce Reed, as well as lineman Steve Zaborsky, are all team captains and three

of the Falcons’ top defensive playmakers. (3)

NOT GOING ANYWHERE

Yes, Hoover head coach Don Hertler Jr. said, the Fitch Falcons are as good as

advertised.

“And the scary thing about them is they have a lot of underclassmen,” said Hertler,

whose Vikings (3-3, 1-2) travel to Austintown tonight.

To Hertler’s point, the Davis twins (QB Demitrious and WR-DB Chris) are juniors,

along with big-play producers Lucas Haupt and Will Mahone. Haupt and Mahone

have returned three interceptions for touchdowns between them. Mahone has scored

on offense, defense and special teams. (4)

A TOUGH CHALLENGE

Fitch’s secondary, led by Haupt and Chris Davis, will present a good test for Hoover’s passing game.

“We’re facing a team that their defense is built to stop the pass,” Hertler said of Fitch’s 3-3 stack. “They can get pressure on you with multiple stunts. So we’re going to have to win the one-on-one battles outside, be able to protect and make a few plays in the passing game.” (5)

A Viking victory would put the young Vikings in the thick of the playoff picture in Region 2.

Fitch has only faced one team this season with a formidable passing attack. That being the McKinley Bulldogs. In week four, McKinley had their way against the Falcon defense through the air racking up 206 passing yards before succumbing to defeat.

Hoover's passing attack is more than capable of putting up big numbers.

Led by Austin Appleby, Hoover has developed a consistent and productive passing game. Appleby has developed into one of the region's best quarterbacks and is a legitimate Division I prospect.

Appleby has a stable of quality receivers in Joey Housos (29-432-5), Stephen Denissoff (9-303-2), Jon Nutt (12-182-4), Ryan Choong (15-206-2), Westin Zernechel and up and coming sophomore Austin Feinberg.

Sources:

(1) FridayNightOhio.com, Sept 29, 2010

(2) FridayNightOhio.com, Sept 27, 2010

(3) Ibid

(4) FridayNightOhio.com, Josh Weir, Oct 8, 2010

(5) Ibid