Hoover opened its previous two seasons against Golden Valley, capped by a 48-6 loss last year. Instead, Hoover will look to win for the first time since 2006, when they face a Sierra Vista team that went 4-7 last season.
“We had a two-year deal with Golden Valley, but we wanted to find something a little closer and a team that’s more competitive for us,” said Hoover second-year Coach Chris Long, whose squad will play seven of its 10 regular-season games at Moyse Field.
Hoover will then hit the road to meet South Pasadena at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 before closing out nonleague at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 against visiting San Marino.
South Pasadena rallied in the second half in last season’s game to post a 29-14 win before Hoover was handed a 52-6 loss by San Marino.
“That South Pasadena game slipped away from us last year with having some guys out with injuries,” Long said. “With San Marino, we know they are going to be even more balanced.”
The Tornadoes, who finished eighth in league last season, will then turn their attention to league play by kicking off a two-game road trip. Hoover will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 against Pasadena at Pasadena City College. Pasadena handed Hoover a 51-6 setback during the fifth week of last season.
Things won’t get any easier for Hoover, as it will meet Burroughs at 7 p.m. Oct. 8. The Indians picked up a lopsided 76-20 win against the Tornadoes last season.
“Those are two tough teams to start against,” said Long, whose team surrendered at least 29 points per game last season. “I think that Pasadena will be a good challenge for us, and Burroughs will be a tough team that likes to play physical by pounding the ball.”
Hoover will then battle rival Crescenta Valley at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Moyse Field, kicking off a stretch of four consecutive home games. The Falcons came through last season with a 47-7 victory.
