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HOOVER TOPPLES TOP RANKED AKRON BUCHTEL 42-14
In a night when Hoover's Offense struggled the Defense and special teams did their part in preserving a big win for the Vikings, it appeared early on that the Vikings would have their hands full. Hover went 3-and-out in their 1st possession. Buchtel only needed 2 plays to go 51 yards on a TD run by Jeffrey Swain. The Vikings wouldn't be intimidated, after holding the Griffins off, Junior Linebacker Curt Lukens blocked a punt in the endzone and and Junior Jimmy Pope fell on it for the Touchdown. Buchtel though blocked the point after and still led 7-6. RB/DB Brek Gerber intercepted two passes in the 1st quarter, the second one, he took it 63 yards the other way for a TD. Brad Reifsnyder's pass to Fullback Corey Kline was successful and the Vikings took the lead 14-7. The Vikings now would never relinquesh that lead. The Hoover run defense became stifling after the first carry which went 51 yards for a score the Vikings held Buchtel to only 5 yards over the final 27 carries! Buchtel's punter struggled as the Vikings backed Buchtel into their end once more. Buchtel's next punt traveled a net of -6 yards and the Vikings picked up the Football at the Griffin 2 yard line. Two plays later, Hoover punched it in, behind Jimmy Pope's 1 yard TD plunge. The point after made it 21-7 Hoover, The first quarter just ended, but the scoreboard just began to get lit up. Thanks to Hoover's Defense and Buchtel's punting, again the Vikings were beneficiaries of good field position, taking over at the Buchtel 26 yard line. A 4-play 26 yard drive climaxed when Brek Gerber scored on a 13 yard TD run, and the point after made it 28-7 Hoover. Buchtel put together a nice drive put instead of kicking a FG, Buchtel went for it on 4th down, the Griffins paid for it. Hoover drove 80 yards to end the half, aided by a 30 yard penalty (double penalty, pass interference and personal foul) against the Griffins. Hoover then scored on a 1 yard run by Jimmy Pope, his 3rd TD of the game. It was finally halftime! The scoreboard read Hoover 35 Buchtel 7. As the "Fox 8" Helicopter drove by, it left after it saw the score. In the second half, Buchtel took a 4 1/2 minute drive and scored on a 6 yard pass from Walker to Jones, they pulled within 35-14. The Vikings then engineered their most impressive drive of the young season. Hoover drove 16 plays going 85 yards, playing typical Hoover Football, pounding it. The Vikings ran the ball 13 of the 16 plays, but now Buchtel had to respect the run. That is when Brad Reifsnyder struck Curt Lukens for a 17 yard TD pass and the point after closed out the scoring at 42-14. Both teams threatened later, but "timely" interceptions prevented any potential scoring. SCORING SUMMARY: Akron Buchtel: Swain 51 yard run (Jones kick) NC Hoover: Pope recovered punt in endzone (kick failed) NC Hoover: Gerber 63 yard Intercetion Return (Kline pass from Reifsnyder) NC Hoover: Pope 1 yard run (Reifsnyder kick) NC Hoover: Gerber 13 yard run (Reifsnyder kick) NC Hoover: Pope 1 run (Reifsnyder kick) Akron Buchtel: Jones 6 yard pass from Walker (Jones kick) NC Hoover: Lukens 17 yard pass from Reifsnyder (Reifsnyder kick) ** QUICK STATS ** Rushing: Hoover 34 carries 84 yards Buchtel 28 carries 56 yards (1st carry 51 yards for TD) Passing: Reifsnyder 6/18 72 yards TD, 2 point conversion pass, INT Buchtel 11/24 165 yards 4 INTS 1 TD First Downs: Hoover 12 Buchtel 12 Turnovers: Hoover 2 (fumble, int) Buchtel 4 (4 ints) Kicking: Jones 2/2 PATS Reifsnyder 4/5 PATS Penalties: Hoover 4 Buchtel 12 Individual Stars: Gerber: 2 INTS (one for TD, 63 yds), 13 yd TD run Pope: 3 TD's (2 rushing, punt recovered in endzone) Lukens: 17 yd TD catch, 12 yard run, 2 sacks, blocked punt Levi |