Interview: 3-Star 2022 QB Josh Hoover Talks 6A Texas Playoffs and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Tough times lay ahead for 6A Texas squads that get put into the playoff bracket with Rockwall-Heath. The Hawks are an offensive scoring machine this season lighting up the board with an average of 51 a game. The architect of the offense is three-star Class of 2022 quarterback Josh Hoover. The 6-2, 205-pound, gunslinger has covered 2,423 yards with 26 touchdowns in the team’s nine games played. With a powerful rushing attack, Hoover does not have to use the wheels often but when he does it counts for something. Off nine carries he’s tallied 41 yards with three touchdowns.
As Hoover gears up for the final game on the regular season schedule against Skyline, he stopped by the RNG Lab to discuss the season produced thus far and the college programs reacting to his talents on the field.
Interview
Josh, the Hawks have been an offensive scoring machine averaging 51 points per game this season. How have you guys been able to pick apart 6A Texas defenses to this elite level over nine games?
It is all about our offensive linemen and what we can do up front. Those guys are really good. When you can run the ball efficiently, it opens up everything. Then the run compliments the pass, and the pass compliments the run. It is fun seeing those guys go to work. Our running backs are doing a great job and we have receivers making plays. We have a great combination.
Looks like you guys are running The Pistol, or a variation of it. What kind of offensive attack are you executing this season?
Yes. Our whole philosophy is to establish the run, take deep shots, and get everything we can in between. We are running, doing some RPO off the run, and making the defense wrong no matter what they do.
When you drop back, what kind of coverages are you seeing?
Lots of Cover 4, man, Cover 2-man, man free-Cover 1, and Cover 0.
What are some of the routes your receivers are getting out on this year?
We have some downfield routes, option routes, crosses, corner routes – the entire passing tree is in our own concepts. We run everything.
How have your skills improved during the regular season?
I am more comfortable moving around the pocket extending plays and throwing the ball downfield. I have gotten better at that these last couple of weeks. That will help us in the playoffs.
Which game on the 2020 schedule has been your best so far?
Let’s see. I’d say the Tyler Legacy game. They manned it up against us, it was fun going to work against them. Things were open and we were taking deep shots; it was fun.
The Hawks just toppled Mesquite 36-33. How did you guys look in the win?
A win is a win. It is always fun to win. It is fun to learn while winning instead of losing. We did not play to our abilities. The offensive line and running backs played great, but with our passing game, we did not play as well as we’d like to. And that includes me. I didn’t get the ball to those guys like I should have.
We are getting back to work this week. There are things that were there but we did not take advantage of them. This week we are cleaning stuff up for the playoffs.
The last scheduled regular season game is on Thursday with a home game against Skyline (4-3). What do you guys have to do to finish the year out right with a win?
We have to execute, do what we do, and play our game. We have to be an explosive offense and score a lot of points. If we can take the fight out of them early, we’ll win.
What are you expecting from their defense?
They mix it up doing a bit of everything. But you never know until you get out there. You can prepare one way all week based on what you’ve seen on film and they come out doing something different. It will be a good week for us.
Win or lose against Skyline, what is the playoff scenario for the Hawks?
We are the No. 1 seed no matter what in 6A small division.
Nice. Takes some pressure off. Let’s turn to recruiting. Which programs have been showing interest but have not offered yet?
TCU, Texas, and Mississippi State. My coach has talked to Houston, Ole Miss, Baylor, and SMU. I am sure of others but I cannot think of them right now.
No worries. How many offers do you have?
Seven.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
Tulsa, and before that it was New Mexico and Nevada.
Hoover’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Illinois State, Incarnate Word, Nevada, New Mexico, North Texas, and Tulsa
As soon as in-person visits are allowed again in 2021, are there any schools you’d like to go see?
I’ll have a better idea after the season, or closer to next year. There are some around here I’d like to see, Arkansas being one of them. It all depends on whoever wants me at that point. We can go scope it out with all these places and then start to make a decision when visits are allowed again.
Josh, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you and the Hawks success throughout the playoffs until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Hoover family; Josh Hoover