Hoover High Viking Shown Family Support at Friday's Game

against Perry was more than just a win for some fans dressed in orange and black.

For the Zucal family, it was a chance to show their support for No. 18 nose guard John “J.P.” Zucal, whose mother Heather Zucal died unexpectedly in her sleep Sept. 4. His number also was emblazoned on the shoulders of nearly 40 white T-shirts, all worn by his family in the stands.

Many of the family members have children in other rival school districts, like Jackson and Plain townships, but they all came together as Vikings on Friday. They talked with North Canton Patch in the parking lot of Dogwood Pool before the game.

Debby Rohr said her husband Dennis thought of the idea to wear T-shirts in support, and that meant a lot coming from the Jackson Township resident with a longstanding rivalry with .

“He wouldn’t even wear orange and black for that matter,” she said. “We’re letting everything go. Life’s too short.”

J.P.’s paternal grandmother, Mary Ann Zucal, said she was overwhelmed by community support after Heather’s death.

“The support is phenomenal,” she said. “The community, family — it’s wonderful.”

J.P.’s father, also named John Zucal and a former Hoover athlete, remembered his wife's calling hours, when the whole varsity football team showed up wearing their jerseys.

He said J.P.’s younger brother, Brett, plays on the North Canton freshman football team as No. 26 (which was on the other shoulder of their T-shirts), and Superintendent Michael Gallina had given the team special permission to stop on their way home from an away game to show their support.

“That meant a lot to him and Brett,” Zucal said.

He, too, said the community has stepped up when they needed it.

“They are unbelievable. It makes me proud to be from North Canton.”