NORTH CANTON — When Buchtel coach Bryan Williams tried to explain how his team handled the task of a wild Friday night high school football opener, he just shook his head.
“A little bit of this and a little bit of that,” Williams said.
And lots of heart from the guys from Akron.
Buchtel didn’t allow Hoover to score in the second half and made up for just enough errors in a game full of mistakes to win 22-13 at Memorial Stadium.
With the score tied at 14-13 and 16 seconds left, the Griffins blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt by Hoover’s Alec McLeod. Karter Dawson grabbed the ball for Buchtel and ran 62 yards for a touchdown. QB Stevie Diamond, who had previously run for two touchdowns and completed several long throws to convert third downs, scored the winning two-point conversion run.
It was the third long field goal Hoover missed that night and the second blocked by the Griffins.
“We talked about effort. We talked about finishing, man. We talked about playing as a team,” Williams said. “The most important thing is composure. In a game like this, you can lose it and then the other team takes advantage. We kept our composure. We had a few problems, but we made more plays than they did.”
Hoover had early success running AJ Dolph, but the Griffins adjusted and took that away from him. The Vikings couldn’t get anything going in the passing game.
Hoover had the ball in Buchtel’s territory five times in the second half and was never able to get it back.
Vikings head coach Brian Baum regretted one of his own decisions from the first half.
Hoover led 13-6, the PAT coming after Bryce Roach’s 1-yard TD run early in the second quarter. But Baum attempted 2, and a pass from quarterback Zac Braucher was incomplete.
“I wish I had taken the extra point,” Baum said. “I wanted to get two possessions. That decision will haunt me.”
Here’s how things unfolded in our live score updates.
Buchtel scores a late touchdown after a blocked field goal and secures the win against Hoover
The Griffins blocked Hoover’s 44-yard field goal attempt and scored a touchdown with two seconds left, extending their lead to 20-13. They then scored a successful 2-point conversion to win the game 22-13.
Hoover forces punt
With 3:45 minutes left, the Vikings get the ball back at their own 29-yard line and are behind 14-13.
Watch Ohio high school football games live all season long on the NFHS Network
Hoover fails to seize golden opportunity
A fumble by Buchtel gives Hoover great field position on the Griffins’ 22-yard line. But the Vikings fall back and have to settle for a 42-yard field goal attempt by Paul Koskovich. With 6:57 minutes left, the ball goes wide to the left.
Buchtel leads 14-13 against Hoover after three quarters
The Griffins had a second-and-5 attempt at their own 34 early in the fourth quarter. A pass interference call against Hoover gave Buchtel a first down on a third-and-8 attempt at their own 3.
Hoover and Buchtel play hot potato
The Vikings settled for a 52-yard field goal attempt by Alec McLeod, but it was blocked by the Griffins. Two plays later, Buchtel’s Marcus Britt lost the ball and Sam Hassen recovered it at the Griffins’ 14-yard line. But Hoover immediately returned it, John Collins lost the ball at the 5-yard line and the Griffins recovered it at the 1-yard line. Collins was shaken by the play. Buchtel still leads 14-13 with 2:51 left in the third quarter.
Buchtel and Hoover exchange defensive stops
The Griffins stop Hoover on fourth-and-3. Buchtel takes over at their own 27 with 6:16 left in the third quarter. Moments later, Hoover stops Buchtel on fourth-and-1, and Jake Rembielak drops Stevie Diamond for a 3-yard loss. The Vikings take over at the Griffins’ 34.
Second half can begin
Buchtel will receive the kick from Hoover. Alec McLeod fired both of his kickoffs into the end zone for the Vikings tonight.
Buchtel leads Hoover 14:13 at halftime
If you’re a fan of forward passes, this game isn’t for you. Stevie Diamond hit Dwight Shade for 10 yards, converting a third-and-8 attempt on Buchtel’s opening score. AJ Dolph was the main weapon for Hoover, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
Buchtel takes the lead ahead of Hoover
Stevie Diamond used his quickness to reach the corner and score a 5-yard touchdown with 33 seconds left in the first half. Dajuan Owens scored on a 2-point run to give the Griffins a 14-13 lead.
Vikings ground game in turmoil
Bryce Roach scores a 1-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. Hoover attempts two passes and throws incomplete, giving the Vikings a 13-6 lead with 10:23 left in the second quarter. Hoover completed one pass, and it came on a screen.
Hoover leads 7-6 against Buchtel after the first quarter
At the start of the second quarter, the Vikings have a second-and-6 at the Buchtel 36.
Buchtel exploits Hoover error
Hoover forced Buchtel to punt quickly, but the Vikings misplayed the ball and the Griffins recovered it at the Hoover 15. Three plays later, Stevie Diamond flew into the air and was knocked over as Buchtel made an 11-yard touchdown run. A running attempt failed on the PAT. Hoover leads Buchtel 7-6 with 3:59 left in the first quarter.
Hoover takes the lead early
The Vikings waste no time and rush down the field for a touchdown on their first possession. That was nine plays, all on the ground, totaling 62 yards. AJ Dolph capped it off with a 7-yard touchdown. He carried the ball five times on the drive for 39 yards. Paul Koskovich adds a PAT to put Hoover ahead with 7:29 left in the first quarter.
Hoover receives the opening kick
Buchtel won the coin toss and postponed the game until the second half.
A quick look at the North Canton Hoover and Buchtel football teams
Both the Division II Vikings and Division IV Griffins bring plenty of experience and look to make a leap forward after a .500 season last year. Both finished 6-6, reached the state playoffs and won one game before their seasons ended in the regional quarterfinals. Hoover is in the Federal League, while Buchtel plays in the Akron City Series.
Video of Brian Baum, football coach of Hoover High School, at the first practice
Video: North Canton Hoover High School football coach Brian Baum talks about the OHSAA’s first official day of practice on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
This will be the third consecutive year Hoover will face Buchtel at home. The Vikings won 35-21 in 2022 and 27-21 last year.
Preview of the opening week: High School Football | Greater Canton Week 1 Analysis, Predictions
From Thursday night: OHSAA Football Scores | Warren Harding vs. Canton McKinley High School Football Game Recap
We occasionally recommend products and services of interest. If you make a purchase through one of the links, we may receive an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this does not influence our reporting.
