Hoover football runs to first 3-0 start since 1958

NORWALK — Hoover High’s football team continued writing history Friday night.

With a 51-20 nonleague road victory against Glenn, the Tornadoes notched their third consecutive win to start the season, accomplishing that feat for the first time since 1958.

The Tornadoes — who defeated Hacienda Heights Wilson and Sotomayor by a combined score of 83-13 in their first two games — knew the significance of Friday’s win, which was also their fourth straight dating back to last season’s triumph in their final game against Glendale.

“We’ve been trying for a long time to change the Hoover football culture,” Hoover running back Quinton Smith said. “We’ve been waiting for this moment all year. But we don’t want to stop here. Our main goal is to reach the playoffs.”

Hoover has reason to be optimistic this season. The Tornadoes have one of their deepest and most talented team in years, and their leader is Smith. The senior rushed for a game-high 185 yards and three touchdowns in 24 carries. On the season, Smith has 526 yards rushing and 11 total touchdowns.

“Q is just a beast,” Hoover quarterback Andrew Rangel said. “I love him as my running back.”

Rangel’s 51-yard touchdown run in the first quarter gave Hoover a 14-0 lead over Glenn (1-3) with four minutes to play. Rangel also threw for two scores, a five-yard strike to Chris White to open the scoring in the second half and an eight-yard touchdown to Asgher Khan in the fourth quarter.

Maurice Herrera added 112 yards rushing and a score in six carries as Hoover totaled 352 yards on the ground.

The Tornadoes had a 17-6 advantage at halftime, but ran off 27 consecutive points in the second half to push the game far out of reach.

“We know we’re a good team,” Hoover Coach Matt Andersen said. “We’re just taking it one game at a time.”

Hoover’s next game might be the toughest of its season. The Tornadoes will take on defending Pacific League champion Burroughs in the league opener for both teams on Friday at Moyse Field.

“Burroughs is going to give us a great matchup,” Andersen said. “They’re big and they have a great team. We have our work cut out for us. But they’re not going to see the same Hoover team from the last three years.”