by Akron, OH- Archbishop Hoban’s journey back to the Division 2 championship game is alive and well as the Knights defeated Walsh Jesuit 30-6, clinching the season double over the Warriors.
Walsh got the football to begin the game but was forced to punt following a 3-and-out. Archbishop Hoban took the ball in at midfield, but Tylan Boykin’s first pass of the night was picked by Dylan Hereford. Keller Moten ran for 19-yards on a quarterback keeper to begin the Warrior’s second drive, but a 4th down stop by the Knights prevented any damage. Caleb Jones helped carry the Knights down the field to the Walsh 29-yard line, but a fumble from Brayton Feister turned the ball over as Hereford fell on the ball for the Warriors. On the following possession, Brock Sherman took his 5th carry of the quarter and broke free for an 11-yard gain. However, the Knights’ defense held strong and forced a turnover-on-downs at the Walsh 45-yard line. Jones then had 6 carries to close out the first quarter.
Hoban started strong in the 2nd quarter as Boykin found Joey Hardman for an 18-yard gain. However, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty backed the Knights to the 16-yard line. This would continue with a second personal foul and a hold, backing Hoban up to the Walsh 26-yard line. On 4th down, Colton Crosley took Boykin to the turf-halting the Knights’ offense. With another 3-and-out looming, Moten found John Keough for a 20-yard reception. However, Moten pressed his luck as Tysen Campbell picked off the pass intended for Keough to give Hoban another chance to open the scoring. What Campbell set up came to pass as Xavier Williams carried the ball 22 yards down the Hoban sideline to give the Knights a 7-0 lead with just under 5 minutes to play in the 1st half. Walsh drove slowly down the field but opted to punt on 4th down near midfield. This decision would haunt the Warriors as Boykin ran 74 yards down the field to give Archbishop Hoban a 14-0 lead heading into the locker room.
Hoban began the 2nd half with possession, the Knights ran the ball a few times to set themselves up at the Walsh 36-yard line. Keough then swiftly ended Hoban’s promising drive with an interception. This turnover set the Warriors up at their own 6-yard line. Walsh traded turnovers with Hoban as Jones took in Moten’s 2nd pick of the night. This then led to a 49-yard rushing score from Williams as his second touchdown of the game extended Archbishop Hoban’s lead 21-0. Hoban’s defense held strong once again on the following drive as the Warriors were forced to punt yet again. Feister and Boykin then ran the ball 6 combined times, but Walsh forced the drive to stall at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Hoban began the 4th in style as punter Ryan Burns pinned Walsh at their own 1 following an excellent punt. The punt was made all the better as Hoban penetrated the Warrior’s offensive line, taking Sherman down in the endzone for a safety to make it 23-0. Hoban would make the most of their extra possession as Boykin snuck the ball in from 1 yard out to make it 30-0. Walsh kept fighting however as Aiden Henry caught a 10-yard pass from Moten for a score. With the extra point being missed, Hoban lead 30-6 which would be the final score.
Archbishop Hoban will have the task of taking on the Avon Eagles next Friday night in the Division 2 Final Four.
Walsh Jesuit Key Players:
#4 Dylan Hereford: 6 Tackles, 1 Int
#8 Keller Moten: 9/22 123 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 2 Int, 18 Carries, 79 Yards
#26 John Keough: 2 Catches, 51 Yards, 7 Tackles, 1 Int
Archbishop Hoban Key Players:
#2 Xavier Williams: 5 Carries, 84 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
#10 Tylan Boykin: 3/6, 46 Yards, 2 Int, 7 Carries, 101 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
#25 Caleb Jones: 17 Carries, 113 Yards, 2 Tackles, 1 Int
Player of the Game: Tylan Boykin
