NORTH CANTON Hoover hands Spartans another heartbreaker

After two straight losses, Boardman's playoff hopes have taken a hit.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH CANTON -- Boardman High quarterback Tom Zetts knelt at midfield with tears in his eyes.
Although the senior had just thrown for 397 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-tying 69-yard score to Dan Ford with 5:45 remaining, the Spartans suffered their second consecutive heartbreaking loss Friday.
North Canton Hoover (6-2) kicker Lambros Paxos kicked a 35-yard field goal with 33 seconds left to give the Vikings a stunning 37-34 win over Boardman.
Last week, Boardman fell to Warren Harding 20-19 in double overtime.
The loss to Boardman's future Federal League opponent dims the Spartans' (5-3) Division I playoff hopes.
"I don't know what to say," said Boardman coach Garry Smith. "This loss was much more disappointing because the effort wasn't as good as it was against Harding.
Not enough
The Spartans rolled up 498 yards of offense yet they trailed the Vikings the entire game.
"They made more plays than we did," Smith said. "Obviously they executed much better than we did. We made a few to keep us in the game, but it wasn't enough to pull out a win."
Boardman's defense had trouble keeping the running game of Hoover in check despite the fact that the Vikings offense was missing three starters, including Ohio State recruit, wide receiver Curt Lukens.
After Boardman had tied the score at 34-34, the Vikings drove from their own 28 to the Spartans 17 in 10 plays. Eight of those plays were rushes.
"We weren't playing for the field goal, but that's how it worked out," said Hoover coach Dan Hertler. "We got into four-down territory and went to our base stuff and got in position for Lambros to try a kick."
Rallying
Boardman fell behind early, 13-3, but with Zetts at the helm, the Spartans continually fought back.
At one point in the first half, Hoover held a 27-10 lead.
Once again Zetts worked his magic and found Ford all alone for a 75-yard score to pull Boardman to within 27-17 at halftime.
Zetts completed 17 of 32 passes and hooked up with Ford four times for 183 yards.
Brad Beck scored on a 3-yard run early in the second half to cut the Viking lead to 27-24, but each time Boardman got close Hoover responded with a score.
"Two great programs and two great football teams just battled it out," Hertler said. "It's too bad one had to come out and lose it."