The Nordhoff vs Hoover matchup is set to light up Glendale on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. when the Nordhoff Rangers (Ojai, CA) travel south to face the Hoover Tornados (Glendale, CA) in a non-conference contest. With both teams entering Week 2 of the season on very different trajectories, the stage is set for an intriguing game.
Nordhoff vs Hoover Football Game Info:
What: California High School Football
Who: Nordhoff vs Hoover
When: Friday, August 29, 2025
Time: 6 PM
Live stream: Watch here
For fans who want to catch the action live, digital tickets are available now through GoFan, making it easy to secure a seat for what promises to be a spirited evening of California high school football.
👉 For more coverage of California high school football, visit CalStampede’s California section.
Setting the Scene
The Hoover Tornados opened their 2025 campaign with authority, storming past their first opponent to claim a decisive 51-7 victory. That dominant performance put Hoover at 1-0 overall, with immediate momentum and confidence in both phases of the game.
On the other sideline, Nordhoff comes into Glendale searching for their first win. The Rangers dropped their season opener in a close contest, falling 20-17, which leaves them at 0-1. Despite the loss, Nordhoff showed flashes of potential, particularly with their ground game led by running back Jaxson Kirk.
Both programs will be looking at Friday night as a proving ground: Hoover to show that their Week 1 explosion wasn’t a fluke, and Nordhoff to bounce back from disappointment and even their record.
Records and Rankings Snapshot
Here’s how the two teams stack up statistically after Week 1 of the 2025 season:
- Nordhoff Rangers (0-1)
- National Rank: 12,495
- California Rank: 883
- Section Rank: 320
- Division Rank: 7
- Total Points Scored: 17
- Points Allowed: 20
- Win Percentage: .000
- Hoover Tornados (1-0)
- National Rank: 11,011
- California Rank: 748
- Section Rank: 282
- Total Points Scored: 51
- Points Allowed: 7
- Win Percentage: 1.000
While rankings this early in the year don’t always tell the whole story, Hoover’s strong debut has them ahead statistically, while Nordhoff has to battle back from a tough opener.
Team Offense: Firepower vs. Grit
The Tornados showed fireworks offensively in their opening game, piling up 423 total yards. Quarterback AJ Francisco was electric, throwing for 226 passing yards, while Dveen Aghanian anchored the rushing attack with 97 yards on the ground. Their balanced offense makes Hoover difficult to defend, as they can beat opponents through the air or on the ground.
Nordhoff, on the other hand, put up 199 total yards in their first game. While that output was more modest, there were bright spots. Quarterback Michael Dennie tallied 74 passing yards, and Kirk’s 60 rushing yards gave the Rangers a solid foundation to build upon. Wideout Isaiah Giesea added 36 receiving yards, showing he could be a reliable target moving forward.
Hoover’s offensive edge is clear, but Nordhoff has enough weapons to make this a competitive showdown if they can string together consistent drives.
Defensive Battle: Who Can Get the Stops?
Defense often decides high school games, and both teams will look to their playmakers on that side of the ball.
- Nordhoff Defense: The Rangers recorded 50 tackles per game in their opener, with linebacker Rea Duenas leading the way at 8 tackles and 1 sack. Their defense showed grit in holding their first opponent to just 20 points, but they’ll need to tighten coverage against Hoover’s pass-heavy attack.
- Hoover Defense: The Tornados posted 30 tackles per game and matched Nordhoff in sacks with 2 per game. Defensive leader Arman Asaduriyan made an impact with 5 tackles, while Aghanian contributed on both sides of the ball. With their offense scoring in bunches, Hoover’s defense can afford to be aggressive, forcing turnovers and disrupting momentum.
The question is whether Nordhoff’s defense can withstand the pressure of Hoover’s balanced offense, or if the Tornados’ defenders can shut down Nordhoff’s attempts to establish the run.
Scoring Trends: Early Clues
Looking at the scoring averages, Hoover showed a pattern of taking control early and never letting up.
- Hoover Tornados Scoring by Quarter:
- 1st Quarter: 6 points
- 2nd Quarter: 22 points
- 3rd Quarter: 16 points
- 4th Quarter: 7 points
- Total Average: 51 points
Hoover dominated the middle quarters in their opener, breaking games wide open before halftime and putting them out of reach in the third quarter.
Nordhoff, meanwhile, managed just 17 points total, which underscores their need for more offensive firepower. The Rangers can’t afford to fall behind early; if they let Hoover put up another big second quarter, it could be a long night.
Key Players to Watch
Nordhoff Rangers
- #9 Jaxson Kirk – Averaging 60 rushing yards per game, Kirk will be the workhorse for Nordhoff’s offense. If he finds lanes early, the Rangers can slow the game and keep Hoover’s offense off the field.
- #10 Michael Dennie – With 74 passing yards and 99 total yards per game, Dennie must step up to keep drives alive and take shots downfield.
- #13 Isaiah Giesea – The top receiver with 36 yards in the opener, he’ll need to create separation against Hoover’s secondary.
- #22 Rea Duenas – The defensive leader with 8 tackles and 1 sack, his ability to disrupt Hoover’s offensive rhythm could change the game.
Hoover Tornados
- #3 AJ Francisco – With 226 passing yards per game, Francisco is the engine of Hoover’s offense and a matchup problem for defenses.
- #4 Dveen Aghanian – A true dual-threat with 97 rushing yards per game and contributions on defense, he’s a game-changer.
- #14 Aeden Aceves – The leading receiver with 65 yards per game, Aceves provides Francisco with a reliable downfield target.
- #1 Arman Asaduriyan – Hoover’s defensive standout with 5 tackles per game, he’ll look to neutralize Nordhoff’s rushing attack.
Head-to-Head History
Interestingly, this is a fresh matchup: Nordhoff and Hoover have not faced each other before in recent years. That lack of familiarity adds an extra layer of intrigue, as neither side has a direct blueprint on how to counter the other.
What’s at Stake
For Nordhoff, this game is about redemption and resilience. Starting 0-2 would dig a hole that’s difficult to climb out of, while a road win over a surging Hoover team would build confidence and momentum heading into league play.
For Hoover, a 2-0 start would solidify their standing as a rising team in California’s competitive high school football scene. It would also show that their opening rout wasn’t a one-week wonder but a sign of a well-rounded, dangerous squad.
Final Thoughts
The Nordhoff vs Hoover clash brings together two programs with different narratives but equal hunger to prove themselves. Hoover enters with the advantage in firepower, efficiency, and momentum, while Nordhoff comes in with a chip on their shoulder and the desire to rebound.
If Nordhoff’s defense can slow Hoover’s passing attack and their offense finds rhythm with Kirk on the ground, they could keep things close. But if Francisco and Aghanian get rolling again, Hoover might turn this into another high-scoring showcase.
Either way, fans in Glendale are in for an exciting Friday night under the lights.
