by Akron, OH: In a game marked by multiple turnovers on each side, Hoban (8-1) scored ten points late in the fourth quarter to take down St. Edward (8-2) 24-20. Jeremy Hammel hit a 36-yard field goal to put the Knights up three with just over two minutes remaining, then Jackson Callaway added a pick-six that proved to be the difference. La’Near Folk led the way for Hoban with 110 yards rushing. For the Eagles, Brandon White finished with 170 total yards (117 receiving) and a touchdown.
First Half
St. Edward received the opening kick, but would not have the ball for long as Elbert Hill picked off Jonny Evanchick on the game’s third play. On the very next snap, Makhi Boone picked off Payton Cook to give the Eagles the ball back. St. Edward then took that possession deep into Hoban territory before Evanchick was picked off again by Hill.
Taking over at their own twenty, the Knights kept the ball on the ground and methodically worked themselves into St. Edward territory. Folk took a handoff up the middle, and the defense jarred the ball loose, marking the fourth turnover of the first quarter and giving the ball back to the Eagles.
Three plays later, the Hoban defense forced their third turnover on an interception, setting up shop on the Eagles’ 19. On third and four, Brayton Feister took a pitch around the left side 13 yards for a Hoban touchdown. The lead lasted 13 seconds as Zach Hackleman took the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a St. Edward touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
Both sides traded punts on their next possessions, and Hoban began their next drive near midfield. A 41-yard run from Folk would get the ball to the 13-yard line. On second and goal from the one, Payton Cook took the quarterback sneak up the middle for a one-yard touchdown, giving the Knights a 14-7 lead that would hold until halftime.
Second Half
After both sides traded punts to open up the third quarter, Hoban began their second drive on their own 35. The Knights would work their way down to the Eagles’ 25, but Jeremy Hammel’s field goal missed the uprights to end the threat and give the ball back to St. Edward.
After a big fourth-down conversion in their own territory, it looked as if penalties would doom the Eagles. An illegal man downfield and a holding call would give them first and 25 from their own 22-yard line. On the next play, Evanchick found Brandon White streaking down the sideline for a 78-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 early in the fourth.
Hoban responded with their most impressive drive of the game, taking 12 plays to get down to the St. Edward 19. After missing his first attempt earlier in the game, Hammel drilled a 36-yard field goal to put the Knights up 17-14 with just over two minutes remaining. Disaster struck on the next drive for the Eagles, as Evanchick was picked off by Jackson Callaway, who returned it 38 yards for another Knights touchdown, extending the lead to 24-14.
The Eagles refused to go down without a fight, as Evanchick used his legs to rack up 24 yards. With time expiring in the game, he threw a jump ball in the end zone to Joe Moore for a 28-yard touchdown. Unfortunately for St. Edward, it was too little, too late as the clock struck zero and Hoban held on for a 24-20 victory.
Keys to the Game
This contest featured two of the best running backs in the state, but both defenses stood strong to hold them in check. Late in the second quarter, Zach Hackleman left the game following a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit that drew a flag. The Knights led at the half, but playing the third and fourth quarters without Hackleman put a strain on the Eagles’ offense.
While Brayton Feister draws a lot of the headlines for Hoban, senior La’Near Folk stole the show with his 115-yard performance. On the defensive side, Elbert Hill came up with two first-quarter interceptions, further proving why he is one of the best corners in the state of Ohio.
Next Week
Both squads have clinched a Top Four spot in the respective regions, and will have a bye week next Friday before kicking off their playoff runs on November 7th.
Top Performers
St. Edward Eagles
Brandon White: 15 carries 53 yards 5 catches 117 yards TD
Jonny Evanchick: 9-18 183 yards 2 TD 4 INT 8 carries 43 yards
Archbishop Hoban Knights
La’Near Folk: 16 carries 115 yards 1 catch 4 yards
Brayton Feister: 15 carries 86 yards TD
Scoring Summary
2nd Quarter
Hoban 11:16- Brayton Feister, 13-yard run (kick good)
St. Edward 11:03- Zach Hackleman, 93-yard kick return touchdown (kick good)
Hoban 4:04- Payton Cook, 1-yard run (kick good)
4th Quarter
St. Edward 8:26- Jonny Evanchick to Brandon White, 78 yards (kick good)
Hoban 2:12- Jeremy Hammel 36-yard field goal
Hoban 1:35- Jackson Callaway, 38-yard interception return touchdown (kick good)
St. Edward 0:00- Jonny Evanchick to Joe Moore, 28 yards
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| St. Edward | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 20 |
| Hoban | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
