Feister’s Big Run Lifts Hoban Past Glenville

Akron, OH: In a game where points were at a premium, Brayton Feister’s 99-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter lifted Hoban (6-1) to a 12-9 victory over Glenville (4-3). Feister seemed to be the one Knight that the Tarblooders’ defense could not contain, finishing with 178 yards and a score on 15 carries. For the Tarblooders, quarterback Arvell Nelson finished 12-24 through the air for 142 yards and a touchdown.

First Half

With the sun setting on a crisp fall evening, the Hoban Knights would receive the game’s opening kickoff. On fourth and one, Brayton Feister exploded for a 31-yard gain, setting Hoban up inside the red zone. Unfortunately for the Knights, the Glenville defense kept them at bay, forcing Hoban to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Jeremy Hammel that put them up 3-0 early.

Refusing to flinch after Hoban’s early field goal, the Tarblooders answered with a long drive of their own. A defensive holding call kept the drive alive as Glenville drove deep into Hoban territory. Two plays later, Arvell Nelson connected with Joseph Saffold for a 19-yard touchdown. The extra point missed, keeping the score 6-3 Glenville midway through the first.

Momentum quickly swung as, on the very first play of the next Hoban drive, disaster struck. The snap was fumbled, and Glenville recovered at the Knights’ 17. Luckily for Hoban, the defense stood strong, forcing a 30-yard field goal by Eniere Lemon that made it 9-3 Tarblooders.

Hoban crossed midfield on their next drive, but were forced to punt. As Nelson tried to escape the pocket on third down, Glenville was called for a hold in the end zone. That play narrowed the gap to 9-5 and gave Hoban the ball.

The Knights then put together one of their more impressive drives, getting down to the Tarblooder 27. They were forced to settle for a field goal attempt that missed the uprights, keeping it a 9-5 game.

Throughout the remainder of the half, each team would pick up a first down and not much else. When they halftime whistle sounded, Glenville held a 9-5 lead.

Second Half

Glenville received the second half kickoff but did not have the ball for long, fumbling it back to Hoban on the third play. Despite their best starting field position of the game, the Knights’ offense stalled, settling for another field goal attempt that missed the uprights.

Both teams punted on their next possessions, and things got interesting early in the fourth quarter. A booming punt by Lemon pinned the Knights on their one-yard line. As Mike Mull took the snap under center, it appeared as if he fumbled the ball and Glenville had recovered. The officials grouped up, and decided that the runner was down by contact, infuriating the Tarblooders. On the very next play, Feister took the direct snap 99 yards down the home sideline for a touchdown. After the extra point sailed through the uprights, Hoban took a 12-9 lead.

Glenville turned the ball over on their next possession, but the defense did not give an inch and forced a punt to get the ball back. Unfortunately for the Tarblooders, the offense stalled and sent back a punt of their own.

With just under three minutes remaining in the game, Glenville would get one last shot to drive the field. A pair of holding calls stopped them in their place, turning the ball over on downs to Hoban. From there, the Knights kneeled out the remaining time on the clock, holding on for a 12-9 victory.

Keys to the Game

To say the defenses shined in this one would be an understatement. From the opening whistle, both sides were wreaking havoc on the opposing offensive line, stuffing the run game and keeping the quarterbacks off balance. People expected a low-scoring affair, but I don’t think anybody had it as a 12-9 game.

The key moment came early in the fourth quarter with Hoban backed up at their one-yard line. From my angle, it appeared as if Hoban fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Glenville. The experts decided otherwise and, one play later, Brayton Feister took it 99 yards to the house, the deciding blow in this heavyweight bout.

Next Week

The back part of the Hoban schedule is brutal and does not let up next week when they host undefeated Central York (PA) (7-0).

The Tarblooders will look to get back into the win column next Friday when they host Senate League foe John Hay (4-4).

Top Performers

Glenville Tarblooders

Arvell Nelson: 12-24 142 yards TD INT

Joseph Saffold: 5 catches 71 yards TD

Archbishop Hoban Knights

Brayton Feister: 15 carries 178 yards TD

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Hoban 8:41- Jeremy Hammel 30-yard field goal    (3-0 Hoban)

Glenville 5:20- Arvell Nelson to Joseph Saffold, 19 yards (kick no good)   (6-3 Glenville)

Glenville 3:42- Eniere Lemon 33-yard field goal   (9-3 Glenville)

2nd Quarter

Hoban 11:52- Glenville hold in end zone/Safety   (9-5 Glenville)

4th Quarter

Hoban 10:44- Brayton Feister, 99-yard run (kick good)