by North Canton, OH: Senior QB John Collins turned in a five-touchdown highlight performance Friday night to lead the Hoover Vikings (2-0) past the Medina Bees (1-1) 42-17. The senior got it done with both his arms and legs, throwing for 180 yards and two touchdowns, along with 65 yards and three scores on the ground. River Blomquist led the way for the Bees with 157 yards passing.
First Half
Medina would receive the opening kickoff and pick up a first down, but was eventually forced to punt. Starting on their own 20, Collins led the Vikings on a nine-play, 80-yard drive that he capped off with a one-yard plunge to put Hoover up 7-0 early.
The Bees would work their next possession into Viking territory, but were forced to punt again. On the third play of their next drive, Collins hooked up with Jack Andes for a 75-yard score, increasing the Hoover lead to 14-0.
As the Vikings forced a punt for the third consecutive drive, Carter Lukens burst through the line and blocked the kick which was scooped up by Aidan Kish for a touchdown to make it 21-0 Hoover after one.
Medina was forced to punt again, but would get the ball back one play later as the defense came up with a fumble. In what may have been the biggest highlight in the entire game, Blomquist threw a screen pass to Caleb Sherman who then threw it to Jayden Tagalicod for a 16-yard touchdown. After the extra point, the Bees trailed 21-7 early in the second.
On the sixth play of the ensuing drive, Collins found Andes streaking down the middle of the field for a 47-yard Vikings touchdown, increasing their lead to 28-7. The Bees took their next possession deep into Hoover territory but were forced to settle for a 33-yard field goal from Landen Cusick to make it 28-10.
Carter Lukens nearly returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, finally being brought down at the Medina six. Three plays later, Collins called his own number on a one-yard plunge to increase the lead to 35-10.
Second Half
Hoover received the second half kickoff and wasted no time in getting back on the board. On the third play, Collins kept it 56-yards up the middle for his third rushing touchdown and fifth total, making the score 42-10 and starting a running clock.
Both sides traded punts as the time melted away on the game clock. With about nine minutes left, Medina took over on their 10-yard line. Blomquist started the drive for the Bees and worked the ball near midfield before backup QB Judah Carrell entered the contest. Fresh off converting a fourth down, Carrell found Cooper Sokolowski for a 30-yard touchdown. After the extra point, Medina trailed 42-17, ending the running clock.
Three hand-offs to JT Gregory and a kneel-down sealed a 42-17 victory for the Vikings, improving them to 2-0 on the young season.
Next Week
Medina falls to 1-1 with the loss, and will look to get back into the win column next week when they host Wadsworth (2-0). The Grizzlies took down New Albany 35-7 in Week 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm at Ken Dukes Stadium and you can watch the game LIVE and FREE on the Kee On Sports YouTube channel.
Hoover improves to 2-0 on the season and will host Akron North (1-1) next Friday night in a battle of the Vikings. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm at Memorial Stadium in North Canton.
Top Performers
Medina Bees
River Blomquist: 18-35 157 INT 11 carries 31 yards
Hoover Vikings
John Collins: 6-9 180 yards 2 TD 9 carries 65 yards 3 TD
Jack Andes: 3 catches 135 yards 2 TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Hoover 7:05- John Collins, 1-yard run (kick good)
Hoover 1:48- John Collins to Jack Andes, 75 yards (kick good)
Hoover 0:45- Blocked punt, recovered by Aidan Kish (kick good)
2nd Quarter
Medina 10:20- River Blomquist to Caleb Sherman to Jayden Tagalicod, 16 yards (kick good)
Hoover 8:23- John Collins to Jack Andes, 47 yards (kick good)
Medina 5:23- Landen Cusick 33-yard field goal
Hoover 3:45- John Collins, two-yard run (kick good)
3rd Quarter
Hoover 9:56- John Collins, 51-yard run (kick good)
4th Quarter
Medina 2:32- Judah Carrell to Cooper Sokolowski, 30 yards (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Medina | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Hoover | 21 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 42 |
