Glendale, Hoover football teams await Victory clash
Even though the Glendale High and Hoover football teams have been eliminated from postseason contention, don’t tell the coaches and players on either side that their regular-season finale has no meaning.
The long-standing rivalry between Glendale and Hoover began in 1930 and has featured numerous players who have gone on to compete at the collegiate level and the National Football League. The 86th rendition of the “Battle for the Victory Bell” will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at Glendale High’s Moyse Field.
Following the conclusion of the Pacific League game, Glendale (2-7 and 1-5 in league) and Hoover (1-9, 0-6) will look to emerge victorious and ring the bell in front of a large throng.
“The guys are always pretty excited about the game,” Hoover second-year Coach Matt Andersen said. “It’s a game that’s got a lot of tradition and it’s a great experience to be able to play in front of a big crowd.
“It doesn’t take much to get the players on either side up for the game. You know it’s always going to be one of those special games.”
Glendale third-year Coach John Tuttle agreed with Andersen.
“It’s an exciting time for the players,” said Tuttle, who is 2-0 in the series. “The players have more confidence in taking part in a cross-town rivalry game.”
Glendale is 50-33-2 all-time against Hoover in the “Battle for the Victory Bell.” The Nitros have won four straight games against the Tornadoes, including a 49-6 victory last season. The Nitros are 11-3 against the Tornadoes since 2000 and will look to make it five straight wins against the Tornadoes for the first time since accomplishing the feat from 1990-94.
Both teams will look to get back on track and end their season on a positive note. The Nitros have dropped four games in a row, including a 38-0 league road loss against Burroughs on Friday. The Tornadoes have lost seven straight contests, including a 40-0 league defeat against Muir on Oct. 30 on the road.
Tuttle said he expects the Tornadoes to provide a stiff test.
“I’m sure they’ll play their best game of the year,” Tuttle said. “They have some decent size up front and it’s a game where anything can happen.”
Hoover has been shut out four times this season and has scored just 21 points in its last seven games. Senior Vaughn Parawan led Hoover with 22 rushing yards in six carries against Muir.
“We have a chance to go out there and make our season,” said Andersen, whose team will look to conclude a 16-game league losing skid. “We’re getting some people back from injuries, but we know we’ll be going up against a tough team that’s got some excellent athletes.”
The Nitros have been blanked three times on the season. They have, however, had a steady running game throughout most of the year. Glendale has often turned to running backs Daniel Jung and Luis Ruiz to shoulder the offensive responsibilities. In a 21-20 overtime league defeat against visiting Pasadena on Oct. 24, Ruiz had 34 times for 164 yards and one touchdown and Jung rushed for 133 yards in 22 carries and one touchdown.
Tuttle said it would be important for the Nitros to retain the Victory Bell.
“You always want to go out on a winning note,” Tuttle said. “We’ve done that the last couple of times and it’s great any time you can win the city championship.”
