Glendale leads the all-time season series at 48-33-2 and has possession of the bell after posting a 54-19 win in last season's meeting. Glendale bested Hoover, 20-6, in a nonleague game in the first week of this season.
Glendale Coach Alan Eberhart took part in the rivalry as a player nearly 40 years ago. It will be Eberhart's third season in a row roaming the sidelines for his alma mater.
"As a player, the anticipation is great," Eberhart said. "As a coach, it's tough because we haven't had a lot of success.
"You get out on that field and it's amazing because there's a lot of juice in the stands and that's what makes it the most fun. That's what makes it special for both teams."
For Hoover first-year Coach Andrew Policky, it will be his first time calling the plays after serving as a defensive coordinator the previous three seasons for the Tornadoes.
"It's just a great rivalry and you want to be a part of it," Policky said. "I'm excited we will be able to go out there and we want to try to get the bell back to Hoover.
"We know it will be a good game."
The Nitros, who suffered a 49-3 league loss against Crescenta Valley on Friday, will look to get back on track and snap their eight-game losing streak. Glendale will be led by quarterback Evan Norton, running back Alex Yoon and wide receiver Mike Davis.
The Nitros are 9-2 in the last 11 meetings and will look to win the bell for the second season in a row since accomplishing the feat in 2007 and 2008.
Hoover will look to bounce back from a 42-14 league loss against Burroughs on Nov. 3 and will turn to workhorse running back Luke Tabayoyong to end a 16-game losing streak.
