North Canton Hoover Vikings 2024 high school football schedule, preview

NORTH CANTON HOOVER VIKINGS

• HEAD COACH: Brian Baum, 10th year, 52-43
• LAST YEAR: 6-6, 2-4
• POSTSEASON: Division II, Region 5

North Canton Hoover football’s returning lettermen (27)

• Jack Andes, WR-DB, 5-10, 160, Jr.
• Ayden Arntz, TE-DE, 6-2, 190, Sr.
• Isaiah Barker, WR-DB, 6-3, 154, Sr.
• Zac Braucher, QB-DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.
• Matt Brown, OL-DL, 5-11, 212, Sr.
• John Collins, QB-DB, 6-3, 181, Jr.
• Drake Cooper, WR-LB, 6-1, 176, Jr.
• Brant Daugherty, OL-DL, 5-9, 200, Sr.
• AJ Dolph, RB-DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.
• Malcolm Dudley, OL-DL, 6-1, 326, Sr.
• Jake Elliott, TE-DE, 6-1, 180, Sr.
• Christian Friel, RB-LB, 5-11, 170, Sr.
• Henry Gaskell, TE-DE, 6-1, 205, Sr.
• Sam Gorman, OL-DL, 6-0, 229, Sr.
• Sam Hassen, WR-DB, 5-10, 178, Sr.
• Aiden Kish, WR-DB, 6-1, 177, Jr.
• Paul Koskovich, K, 5-7, 149, Sr.
• Carter Lukens, RB-LB,  5-10, 150, Jr.
• Chase Lukens, WR-LB, 6-1, 163, Jr.
• Shane Matthews, WR-DB, 6-1, 163, Sr.
• Cole Rembielak, RB-LB, 6-0, 218, Sr.
• Jake Rembielak, WR-DB, 6-0, 185, Sr.
• Bryce Roach, TE-DE, 6-2, 200, Sr.
• Jacob Sykeny, OL-DL, 5-8, 190, Sr.
• TJ Walker, TE-DE, 5-11, 204, Sr.
• Drew Ziarko, TE-DE, 6-2, 212, Sr.
• Jack Ziarko, OL-DL, 6-3, 280, Jr.

North Canton Hoover football's impact players

Wherever Zac Braucher plays, expect him to do it well. A third-team All-Ohio wide receiver who caught 57 passes for 808 yards and seven touchdowns last year, Braucher also led the Vikings defense with four interceptions as a corner. This year, he might spend a lot of time at quarterback, a position he grew up playing and subbed at a little bit last year when three-year starter Carson Dyrlund was injured. ... Cole Rembielak stepped into the starting middle linebacker role last year and did not disappoint. He led the Vikings in tackles (107), first hits (73) and tackles for loss (13). He also established himself as one of the top punters in the area, averaging 39.8 yards a boot. ... Senior DEs Bryce Roach and Drew Ziarko give Hoover a pair of impact players off the edge. The pair combined for 22 TFLs and 14 sacks last season. ... Jack Ziarko is Drew's little brother only by age. A 6-3, 280-pound junior, Jack Ziarko begins is second year as Hoover's starting left tackle and has Mid-American Conference schools thinking about offering. ... Junior Jack Andes is a small, speedy athlete who will give Hoover a home run threat at receiver and in the return game much like the graduated Mason Ashby did the previous three years. Andes also will factor in at cornerback.

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What's new with North Canton Hoover football in 2024

With Dyrlund's graduation, Braucher or junior John Collins will be at quarterback for the Vikings. Whoever isn't will be at wide receiver. Head coach Brian Baum is open to playing both at QB. "They're still competing, but I expect to see both of them out there this year," Baum said. "I like having two guys that are varsity ready." ... Senior Malcolm Dudley is a 6-1, 326-pound lineman who could impact the interior on both fronts for Hoover. ... Junior Carter Lukens has a great shot to start at linebacker alongside Rembielak and junior Chase Lukens. He also is in the mix for carries on offense with seniors AJ Dolph and Christian Friel and junior Drake Cooper. Said Baum, "I really like our running back situation." Dolph is a talented athlete who has had injuries rob him of much of his sophomore and junior seasons. ... Longtime Hoover assistant coach Doug Burwell is returning to the varsity sideline as the Vikings' defensive coordinator.

North Canton Hoover football’s outlook

The Vikings are deep at the skill positions. One of the returning starters in the secondary is senior cornerback Isaiah Barker, who is coming off a Division I state championship in the long jump a couple of months ago. Barker also could be a deep-ball threat at receiver as Hoover attempts to figure out how to best use its depth. "There are going to be guys that are back-ups that would be starters in other years," Baum said. ... Hoover is replacing the interior of its defensive line and will have two new starters on the offensive line joining returners Jack Ziarko, center Sam Gorman and right guard Matt Brown. Baum feels like the Vikings have the personnel to be more multiple this season and utilize a power running game. "It's not fun running (I-formation) and getting jammed back a yard every play," Baum said. "But when we can line up and go nose-to-nose with people with a tight end and a fullback, that's fun football. We think we might be able to do that a little bit this year." The presence of tight end Henry Gaskell and H-backs TJ Walker and Brant Daugherty helps with that. ... Baum has been at Hoover for a full decade, continuing a tradition of stability in the program that stretches back through previous head coaches Don Hertler Jr., Ed Glass and Don Hertler Sr. "The culture was here," Baum said. "You're just trying to keep it going and make your mark. It's been fun for me."

North Canton Hoover football schedule for 2024

• Aug. 23 BUCHTEL
• Aug. 30 at Hudson
• Sept. 6 AKRON NORTH
• Sept. 13 GREEN
• Sept. 20 LOUISVILLE
• Sept. 27 GLENOAK
• Oct. 4 at McKinley
• Oct. 11 at Perry
• Oct. 18 LAKE
• Oct. 25 at Jackson

Home games in all CAPS. All games at 7 p.m., unless noted.

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: North Canton Hoover Vikings 2024 high school football schedule, preview