by Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – The Walsh Jesuit Warriors defeated the Hoban Knights, 20-7, at Conway Memorial Stadium in the OHSAA Division II, Region 5 quarterfinals.
Friday’s matchup was the fourth time the two rivals have met in five years in the postseason, dating back to 2021. The two also meet in Week 6, with Hoban emerging victorious, 30-0.
On the first drive of the game, the Warriors were in business thanks to a long kickoff return by Cayden Levert. But the drive ended with a missed field goal from 48 yards.
After the two teams traded punts, it would be Walsh Jesuit that broke through for the first points of the game.
Freshman quarterback Kinzy Shea completed a pass to Cam Brunson to put the Warriors in great field position. One play later, Dom Courtad scored a touchdown out of the wildcat formation. The point after was good, giving Walsh Jesuit a 7-0 lead with 10:38 left in the second quarter.
Walsh Jesuit would come up with their first interception of the game, as senior Drew Wollschleger picked off a Major Cribbs pass. The Warriors would continue to move down the field, with junior Dom Courtad and senior Ben Biel also working out of the wildcat formation.
Facing fourth-and-goal at the 1 yard line, the Warriors decided to go for it. Their gamble paid off as Courtad scored his second touchdown of the game from a yard out. Walsh Jesuit’s lead increased to 14-0 with 2:09 left in the first half.
It did not take long for the Warrior defense to strike once again. Two plays later, senior Ben Biel came up with the Warriors’ second interception of the game.
Junior Oliver Nonno’s 45-yard field goal attempt was successful, giving Walsh Jesuit a 17-0 lead at the half.
Junior Nathan Allen came up with Walsh Jesuit’s third interception of the game in the third quarter. However, the drive stalled, and the Warriors were forced to punt. Jayden Kainec’s punt would pin the Knights inside the five yard line.
After failing to convert on third down, the Knights went for it on fourth-and-short at their 14. But the Walsh Jesuit defense stopped them on downs.
Walsh Jesuit padded their lead to 20-0, thanks to an Oliver Nonno 32 yard field goal.
Hoban would move the ball down the field as Major Cribbs rushed for a first down, as would junior Kahlil “Dash” Diming. The Knights’ drive would stall at the Walsh Jesuit ten-yard-line.
After forcing a punt, the Knights managed to get on the board as junior quarterback Major Cribbs found Bowling Green commit John Johnson IV for a ten-yard touchdown reception. After the ensuing point after, the Walsh Jesuit lead was trimmed to 20-7 with 5:55 left.
Hoban came up with a fumble recovery on the next drive, getting the ball back with 4:24 left. A few plays later, the Walsh Jesuit defense came up with another big play. Junior defensive back Xavier Steele picked off Major Cribbs for the fourth time on the evening.
Walsh Jesuit, now 9-1, advances to play Nordonia next Friday, November 13th in the regional semifinals.
Archbishop Hoban ends their season at 4-7.
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