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Hoover 19 - Canton McKinley 0

September 28, 2003


Hoover streak intact, tops McKinley, 19-0

Chris Beaven, Canton Repository

NORTH CANTON  A relieved smile flashed across Don Hertler Jr.’s face late Saturday morning.

The relief was from finally finishing off a high school football game that began more than 12 hours earlier.

The smile was from watching his North Canton Hoover football team finish off a 19-0 win over McKinley that left the Vikings with a 6-0 record.

The Vikings and Bulldogs played a scoreless second half Saturday morning to complete a game that began Friday evening. It was postponed at 10 p.m. because of lightning with the Vikings leading 19-0 at halftime.

By 10 a.m. Saturday, the two teams were back at it.

“That was a long 12 hours, and we didn’t want to have it any longer,” Hertler said. “Our kids were mature enough to come out and do what needed to be done on the second day with a pumped team on the other side.”

McKinley had the better of things statistically in Saturday’s second half, but Hoover turned away a couple of Bulldog scoring chances to post its first shutout of the season. The Vikings have allowed just 30 points all season.

“Glen Cummings and our defensive staff did a great job preparing for McKinley,” Hertler said. “And when you can shut them out with Ryan Brinson and all of the great athletes they have, that’s quite an achievement.”

Brinson, McKinley’s All-Ohio candidate tailback, did rush for 151 yards on 22 carries. He gained 86 of those yards on 13 second-half carries, as the Bulldogs did move the ball Saturday. They gained 114 yards and picked up nine first downs in the second half after totaling 69 yards and three first downs Friday.

McKinley (2-4) limited Hoover to 52 yards and just two first downs Saturday after the Vikings rolled up 225 yards and 14 first downs Friday.

“The McKinley kids came out today and battled us and didn’t quit fighting one bit,” Hertler said. “They deserve a lot of credit for that. I have a lot of respect for their kids and coaches.”

The Vikings, though, battled equally hard to complete the win, their 13th straight in the regular season.

Senior tailback Alex Ramsey finished with 117 yards on 24 carries. and two of the Vikings’ three first-half touchdowns. Mike Wright, Hoover’s other senior tailback, added 72 yards on 14 carries.

Hoover did not attempt a pass Saturday, as senior quarterback Sam Cerreta finished 6-of-11 passing for 87 yards and one TD with no interceptions. Kyle Watts caught the TD pass, a perfectly executed 35-yard flanker screen near the end of the first half.

“There’s no stars on this team,” Hertler said. “It was a total team effort that won this.”


Source: fridaynightohio.com