NORTH CANTON — It’s onto Massillon for the North Canton Hoover High School football team.
The Vikings cruised to a 50-6 win against overmatched Columbus Northland in a Division II, Region 7 first-round playoff game Oct. 31 at Memorial Stadium. The 50 points are the most Hoover has scored in its playoff history, surpassing its 49-0 win vs. Hudson in the first round of the 2003 playoffs.
Quarterback John Collins threw four touchdown passes and linebacker Carter Lukens intercepted two passes and returned a blocked punt for a score for No. 6 seed Hoover (9-2). The Vikings jumped out to a 43-6 halftime lead and played the second half with a running clock in what likely is their last home game of the season. Hoover goes to No. 3 seed Massillon (7-3) next week for a regional quarterfinal.
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“We just wanted to open our playbook up and get some guys the ball that haven’t got the ball most of the year,” Collins said. “The last time playing here, we wanted to end it on a bang for everyone and the seniors.”
It was a scary proposition for No. 11 seed Northland (7-4) trying to contain this explosive Hoover attack on Halloween night.
Collins was 7-of-13 passing for 167 yards. Brycen Beyer caught three passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
The Vikings did no put much mileage on their main guys, especially star Jack Andes. He still managed to catch two passes, including a 33-yard touchdown during which he jumped over a Northland defender to reel in the pass.
“We wanted these guys to get out and be fresh because we know they’re going to have to play four quarters next week with everything they have,” Hoover coach Brian Baum said. “We know that. But we’re excited for this opportunity. Our guys have worked hard for opportunities like this. I expect them to go over there and compete.”
Hoover turned the ball over on downs on the game’s opening possession, then saw Northland quickly drive to the Hoover 26.
But that’s where 6-foot-4, 285-pound lineman Jack Ziarko stepped in front of a middle screen from Akeilles Harrison and picked it off for Hoover.
“It was unbelievable,” Collins said of the big man’s play. “My mouth almost dropped to the floor.”
Asked about the athleticism of the Miami University recruit, Collins joked, “He’s maybe athletic.”
Two plays later, Collins hit Beyer on a 44-yard TD pass and the rout was on.
Northland’s lone score came on defense, when Terrance Barbour picked up a Collins fumble and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.
Hoover still went on to score 29 points in the quarter.
Michael Stader had a 9-yard TD catch for Hoover, while Ryan Crawford and Gio Bianchi ran for TDs. Bianchi had 73 yards on eight carries, while Michael Lammlein had 65 yards on 11 carries.
Lukens led a Hoover defense that allowed 153 yards for the game.
The challenge will be much different in Tigertown next week.
“It’s going to be important to just go over and play football,” Baum said. “It’s a great environment. They’ve got great tradition. We respect everything they do over there and they play hard. We’ve got to step our game up. We have yet to put four quarters together. If we do that, we’re a dangerous football team.”
Here’s how the game unfolded through our live updates.
FINAL: Hoover 50, Northland 6
The Vikings roll to a first-round win and improve to 9-2. Next up for Hoover is a date at Massillon next week. Northland ends its season at 7-4.
Hoover leads Northland 50-6 after three quarters
Northland has a second-and-2 at its 31 when fourth quarter begins.
Hoover football hits half a hundred
Gio Bianchi runs for a 4-yard TD and David Wadley adds the PAT. Hoover leads 50-6. Bianchi has 73 yards on eight carries. Another Carter Lukens interception set up that score.
Second half underway with Hoover and Northland
We’re in running-clock mode.
Hoover and Northland halftime stats
John Collins is 7-of-13 passing for 167 yards, four TDs and no picks. Brycen Beyer has three receptions for 96 yards and two TDs. Jack Andes and Michael Stader also have a TD catch each. Michael Lammlein has 10 carries for 62 yards for Hoover. Northland has 82 yards of total offense and has thrown two interceptions.
Halftime: Hoover 43, Northland 6
It’s all Hoover here at Memorial Stadium.
Hoover football back in the end zone thanks to Air Andes
Wow. Jack Andes jumps and snatches a 33-yard TD pass from John Collins over a Northland defender. Wadley adds the PAT. Hoover leads Northland 43-6 with 1:01 left in the half.
Hoover football adds to lead on Northland
John Collins throws his third TD pass of the night, this time a 9-yarder to Michael Stader. Wadley adds the PAT. Hoover leads Northland 36-6 with 2:16 left in the half.
Carter Lukens decides to just score himself this time for Hoover
Lukens blocks a Northland punt and returns it 10 yards for another Hoover TD. Hoover converts a 2-point pass to make it 29-6 with 8:14 left in the second quarter.
It’s Collins to Beyer again for Hoover football
On fourth-and-15, John Collins goes deep and hits Brycen Beyer in stride for a 38-yard touchdown. Wadley adds the PAT. Hoover leads Northland 21-6 with 9:18 left in the second quarter.
Northland gets on the board
This time it was Northland taking advantage of a Hoover turnover. Terrance Barbour scoops up a John Collins fumble and returns it 51 yards for a touchdown. The PAT kick is no good. Northland cuts its deficit to 14-6 with 11:46 left second quarter.
Hoover leads Northland 14-0 after one quarter
Hoover will have third-and-8 at Northland’s 37 when second quarter begins.
Another Northland turnover, another Hoover touchdown
Carter Lukens picks off a Northland pass and sets up Hoover at the 13. Two plays later, Ryan Crawford scores on a 7-yard TD run. Wadley adds the PAT. Hoover leads 14-0 with 4:15 left in the first quarter.
Hoover converts a turnover into points
A Jack Ziarko interception (yes, big, ol’ Jack Ziarko) on a middle screen set up the Vikings near midfield. Two plays later, John Collins hit Brycen Beyer for a 44-yard touchdown. David Wadley adds the PAT. Hoover leads Northland 7-0 with 5:33 left in the first quarter.
Northland forces a turnover on downs
Hoover quickly got it in Northland territory, but then had the drive go awry thanks to couple of false start penalties.
Northland and Hoover football underway
The Vikings start on their 39 after a squib kick.
Tonight’s captains for Hoover and Northland
Hoover’s captains are John Collins, Jack Andes, Aidan Kish, Carter Lukens and Jack Ziarko. Northland’s captains are Amari Mallory, TeJuan Barbour, Amiir Abdi and Haywood Jenkins.
Hoover to receive the opening kickoff
Northland won the coin toss and chose to defer.
Northland and Hoover football playoff history
Hoover makes its sixth straight playoff appearance and 24th overall. Hoover is 18-23 all-time in the postseason with three regional championships (1984, 1986, 2008) and one state runner-up (1984). Northland makes its fourth straight playoff appearance and seventh overall. It still seeks its first postseason win.
About the 2025 Hoover Vikings football team
Hoover produced just its second regular season of at least eight wins in the last 13 years. Stark County leading scorer Jack Andes, with 19 touchdowns, triggers the Hoover offense. Andes has 1,297 yards from scrimmage, including 744 yards and 11 TDs on 46 receptions. QB John Collins has thrown for 14 TDs and ran for nine. The Hoover defense has a number of impact players, led by LB Carter Lukens and his 146 tackles, 20 TFLs and three interceptions. LB Chase Lukens (no relation) is second on the team with 100 tackles, while David Tully, Aaron Brubaker and Owen Williams each have seven sacks. Carson Morris has five interceptions. Brycen Beyer has returned two kickoffs for TDs this season, while Andes has one. Brady Hassen has a punt return TD.
About the 2025 Northland Vikings football team
Head coach Ryan Sayers’ Northland Vikings carry a five-game winning streak into the playoffs. Northland’s Week 10 win was a forfeit victory when Beechcroft canceled due to a recent shooting near its school. Sophomore Akeilles Harrison is at quarterback in Northland’s spread offense, which has speed to burn. Harrison “can rip it,” Hoover coach Brian Baum said of his arm strength. “That’s the thing that worries me the most. Us giving him enough time and him throwing and one of those athletes run downfield to make a catch.” Basketball standout Diante James joined the Northland football team in Week 6 and has made an impact. In Northland’s 20-14 OT win at Linden McKinley in Week 9, James ran for a TD in the first half, returned a kickoff for a TD in the third quarter and scored a 17-yard TD on a screen pass for the winning score in OT.
Up next for Hoover or Northland: Massillon Tigers
The Hoover-Northland winner advances to play at No. 3 Massillon (7-3) in a regional quarterfinal on Nov. 7. Hoover is 1-5 all-time against Massillon, gaining that one win in a 2008 first-round playoff game at home. Hoover last matched up with the Tigers in the 2020 second round, losing 48-23. Northland never has faced Massillon.
North Canton Hoover Vikings football scores, schedule
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football playoff scores, North Canton Hoover vs Northland recap
Reporting by Josh Weir, Canton Repository / The Repository
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