Jackson Polar Bears @ Hoover

Friday, October 28, 2011

SITE: North Canton Memorial Stadium (7:30 PM)

RECORDS: Jackson 6-3, 2-3; Hoover 2-7, 1-4

LAST WEEK: Jackson beat Perry 35-18, Hoover lost to GlenOak 13-38

LAST MEETING: Jackson won 45-27, last year

SCOUTING REPORT:

Two weeks ago Jackson made a push for the playoffs by kicking a game-winning 33-yard field in the final seconds. QB Cooper Merrill led the Polar Bears with 229 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Last week, the Polar Bears defeated the Perry Panthers to moved Jackson to 6-3 overall, 2-3 in the Federal League, and clinched its first winning season since a 7-3 finish in 2005. It also kept alive the Bears’ playoff hopes in Division I, Region 2.

“This the first winning season we’ve had here since Coach (Phil) Mauro was here,” Jackson coach Beau Balderson said.

“It’s been a while and that’s something these seniors, when they were sophomores, vowed: To stick together. Their work ethic in the weight room and leadership has shown this season.

“We’ve got a winning record and still have a chance to sneak into the playoffs.”

“With some of the things we’re doing running the ball, it definitely opens it up with the play action passing. We knew we could go over the top."

Last week against Perry, Merrill finished 9-of-11 for 113 yards, while also adding 140 yards rushing on 22 carries. 1

“The team has demonstrated some of the character that’s been building the last two years,” Jackson coach Beau Balderson said.

Both Merrill and Jimmy Dehnke each have surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the Polar Bears. Led by 340-pound Darien Terrell, the Jackson offensive line has become a strength. The Polar Bears average 290 yards a game on the ground. 2

For Hoover, it's simple. PLAY FOR PRIDE!

At times this season, the Vikings demonstrated exceptional effort and have been competitive in most games. Despite their record, the Vikings have steadily improved throughout the season.

This week, the Vikings need to play error-free football and continue to demonstrate exceptional effort. VICTORY is BELIEVING!

A season ending victory against arch-rival Jackson will heal a lot of frustrations for a proud and extremely successful football program.

SENIORS, THIS IS YOUR NIGHT! 3

STREAKS, STATS AND FACTS

Jackson will try to do something it hasn’t done in nearly 50 years — beat Hoover in consecutive seasons. The Bears defeated Hoover back-to-back in 1964-65. Jackson won, 45-27, last season at Jackson. ... Jackson’s last win at Hoover came in 2001. ... Merrill completed 9 of 11 passes for 113 yards and two TDs, both to Elsass, last week. He’s 59-of-103 for 817 yards and seven TDs this season. ... Both Merrill and Dehnke are over 1,000 yards. Merrill’s 1,246 yards on 210 rushes leads the Bears, while Dehnke has racked up 1,137 yards on 169 carries. Dehnke has scored 19 TDs, while Merrill has seven. 4

Sources:

1) FridayNightOhio.com, October 22, 2011

2) FridayNightOhio.com, October 15, 2011

3) webmaster

4) FridayNightOhio.com, Octeber 27, 2011

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