Hoover football optimistic about new prospects
There’s been a lot of changes with the Hoover High football team since it ended last season carting off the “Victory Bell.”
It was a campaign that saw Hoover make progress, as it started a season 3-0 for the first time since 1958 and defeated cross-town rival Glendale to retain possession of the bell for the second season in a row.
The biggest turnover came at the top, as Matt Andersen stepped down as coach in early February after four years. Hoover hired Terrance Jones to succeed Andersen.
Having made a seemingly smooth transition through the spring and summer sessions, Jones and the Tornadoes are on the verge of a new season. Hoover will kick off the campaign with a nonleague game at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Campbell Hall.
“Everything has been fine and they are buying in to what we want,” said Jones, who was the junior varsity coach last season and was the offensive coordinator during Andersen’s tenure. “We know practically all of the players because a lot of them have been a part of the program the last four years at the different levels.
“We do come into the season with high hopes and it’s an opportunity for our guys to go out there and seize the opportunity. It’s just a matter of processing the information we give them.”
Hoover finished 4-6, 1-6 in the Pacific League for sixth place last season.
The Tornadoes will carry about 45 players.
“It’s a goal of ours to move up in our league, though there’s going to be some good teams in there with Crescenta Valley and Burbank,” Jones said. “I think we are as physically and mentally prepared as we can be heading into the season. Maybe we can start 3-0 again and win a few league games.
“We feel like we have a shot to do those things. Of course, we’re going to have to avoid turnovers and unnecessary penalties.”
Hoover will look to be more athletic on offense, turning the quarterback responsibilities over to senior Quran Bouldin, who transferred from Alemany.
Bouldin takes over for junior Andrew Rangel, who might still take some snaps, but will mostly be slotted at receiver.
“I’ve gotten the playbook and I’ve been learning what coach Jones wants,” Bouldin said. “It’s been fun to be a part of this group and I like the atmosphere surrounding the team.
“Now, we’ll try to get out there and win some games.”
The possible starters on the offensive line are seniors Adnan Haque, Ara Toubeh, Azad Markosian, Dashan Beasley, Gabriel Bermudez and junior Shawn Fererras.
“We know what we need to do in order to give [Bouldin] time to pass or run,” said Markosian, a returning All-Area pick. “The key will be to have the entire line locked in and knowing their responsibilities. We also need to be able to stay healthy.”
The receiver corps will feature seniors Maurice Herrera, Angel Mino, Guillermo Corrales and junior James Chang. The tight ends will be sophomore Sebastion Saligosta and junior Christian Mangasarian.
The featured running back will be Herrera, who earned All-Area and all-league recognition last season.
“I’m ready to go either way,” Herrera said. “You know going in that you’ll be active. It’s just a matter of what they need.
“I think we are going to have quite a few options to choose from.”
Hoover made modest improvement on defense last season. The Tornadoes gave up 31 points per contest last season after surrendering 36.7 in 2015.
The linebacking group will be senior Allen Melikyan, juniors Andrew Shin and Jaiden Forseter, Mangasarian and Saligosta. The defensive line will be paced by Haque, Beasley, Bermudez, senior Isaul Galacia and sophomore William Escarella.
In the secondary, Mino and sophomore Dakarri Malone will likely be the cornerbacks and the safeties are Chang and sophomore Josh Pangan.
“We know we’ll have to hold ourselves accountable,” Melikyan said. “We don’t want to waste our potential.”
Following its opener, Hoover will participate in nonleague games against Sotomayor and Glenn. The Tornadoes will start league action Sept. 22 against Crescenta Valley, which won the league title last season.
Hoover will conclude the regular season Nov. 3 against Glendale in the “Battle for the Victory Bell.” Hoover registered a 49-12 win against Glendale to improve to 35-51-2 in the all-time season series that began in 1930.
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
