by Archbishop Hoban junior quarterback Shane Hamm knew that he had to stay calm and relax a bit. Trailing 17-14 with just over six minutes left in the Division II, Region V regional semifinal game Friday night in Nordonia, Hamm and the Knights were able to build up a nine-play, 83-yard touchdown drive to eventually lift Hoban past Mayfield 21-17.
“When we start getting excited and go too fast, that’s when we don’t play good,” Hamm explained of his mindset before the game-winning drive. “I just preached to the offensive line and receivers to stay calm and be relaxed and that’s what ultimately led us down the field.“
Facing a fourth down and six at the Mayfield 13-yard line, Archbishop Hoban head coach Tim Tyrrell brought his team together for one last hope at advancing to the regional final next week. Like he was doing frequently throughout the second half, Hamm was able to scramble out of the pocket, eventually finding junior wide receiver Kharion Davis in the back of the end zone to give the Knights the lead back, 21-17, with just over one minute left in the game.
Hoban regains the lead after this touchdown. Hoban leads Mayfield 21-17 with 1:12 left in the game. pic.twitter.com/md39hcnwhL
— Michael Trivisonno (@Mike_Triv) November 16, 2019
That left junior quarterback Michael Huss one last drive to try and take down the four-time defending Division II state champions. Huss and the Wildcats were able to get inside Hoban territory, but a pass in the middle of the field eventually got intercepted by Davis, leaving the Hoban fans and sideline in jubilation.
“Our kids showed a lot of resiliency,” coach Tyrrell explained. “Our kids have been here before and they stayed calm.”
That should do it. Huss’s pass is picked off. Hoban ball on own 40 with 16 seconds left pic.twitter.com/K0jL4kgHHD
— Michael Trivisonno (@Mike_Triv) November 16, 2019
Mayfield took a 3-0 lead heading into halftime behind a defensive battle throughout the first half. Hoban was able to force their second fumble of the game, which later resulted in Hamm scoring a two-yard rushing touchdown to put the Knights app 7-3. Just over four minutes later, Hamm found the end zone again, this time it was a seven-yard rush which gave Hoban a 14-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Mayfield was able to force a fumble inside the Knights’ 30-yard line, setting up a touchdown pass from Huss to Joe Dostal. The Wildcats later converted the two-point conversion, making it a three-point game to start the fourth quarter. How would the Wildcats keep clawing back?
A defensive stop forced Hoban to punt, eventually setting Mayfield up at their own 20-yard line with just over six minutes left in the game. From there, Huss found senior wide receiver Ben Sherlock in stride and raced his way 80 yards into the end zone, to give the Wildcats 17-14 lead.
He finished the game with a team-high seven catches for 139 yards and one touchdown. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they were one defensive stop down from knocking off Hoban, but Mayfield head coach Ross Bandiera knew his team was built for a game like this.
“We knew we could play with anyone in the state and we proved that tonight,” Bandiera said. “Our team knew how to take a punch and give another punch. We didn’t let down going behind 14-3 and we just kept playing. We took the lead but unfortunately, we were one play away.”
As for Hoban, they have to prepare for the upcoming 12-0 and top-seeded Massillon Washington next week for a trip to the state final four. Hamm and his guys know that it’s going to be a battle but explained that his team has to get better between the ears.
“We got to be mentally focused,” Hamm said. “We really kill ourselves that way. We just have to be mentally ready. I’m excited, we get to play another great team.“
