The Hoover High football team will be a member of the Pacific League for the 2024 season.
After three years of playing an independent schedule, the Tornados opted to rejoin the league, partly because of Hoover’s playoff aspirations.
As long as Hoover played an independent schedule, it was not allowed to compete in the CIF playoffs, no matter its final record, because of an agreement it had with the league and CIF.
In 2024, Hoover will play six league games and four nonleague games. Hoover will likely petition for a playoff berth at the end of the regular season.
“Now we’re playing for something,” Hoover Coach Azad Herabidian said.
Some of the league teams Hoover will play against include Crescenta Valley, Pasedena, Muir, Arcadia, Burbank and Burroughs.
“I’m pretty excited to play against other league schools” said current junior, Marco Raygoza, who will be returning next season.
Glendale will not participate in the league in 2024. Even though Glendale High will continue playing an independent schedule, Hoover will still play its yearly Homecoming game against the Nitros.
“I think we’ll be able to really show our talent and where we really rank when we play schools like Arcadia and Burbank” said Hoover principal Dr. Jeremy Spurley.