by The Avon Eagles traveled to Parma to take on a familiar foe in the Archbishop Hoban Knights. Avon started off with the ball as they looked to change the course of history. A false start would set the Eagles back on the first play of the game, Caffey would gain the five yards back but no more as DeTillo would throw two straight incomplete passes in the snowy weather. This would give the Knights the ball just around mid-field.
Hoban would run the ball right down the heart of the defense. Lamar Sperling would be the feature back to start the game. A 27-yard run by Sperling would put the Knights in striking distance. Quarter back Jayvian Crable took it himself and fell into the endzone. As Crable was falling into the endzone he fumbled the ball, they would call it a touchback giving Avon the ball at the 25.
Avon wouldn’t take this opportunity for granted as the Eagles would take their time and drive right down the field. DeTillo and Caffey dominated the drive with an impressive mix of passing and running. DeTillo capped off the drive with a 12-yard QB run that made the score 7-0 in favor of the Eagles.
Hoban wouldn’t shy away from the challenge; Sperling would once again carry his team down the field with a 30-yard run to put his team in the redzone with only two short yards to go. The Eagles defense was stout as they stopped Sperling and the triple stack power two plays in a row. Crable completed a four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Shawn Parnell for a touchdown to even up the score at 7-7
Avon’s offense sputtered out on three plays giving the ball back to Hoban’s high-powered offense. Crable and Sperling would dominate the ground as the QB and RB duo. Crable would set up Sperlings two-yard touchdown with a 56-yard run. This gave the Knights the lead 14-7.
Avon tried to gain momentum back; their drive would end before it could really start. A fumble would kill the drive on the second play as the Knights would get the ball at mid-field. Hoban would strike on their first play with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Crable to Rickey Williams to increase their lead by seven. This would give Williams his first touchdown on the year and give Hoban a 21-7 lead.
Avon would get the ball with just about six minutes left in the first half. They controlled the ball for almost all those six minutes. Another drive with a good mix of runs and passes led the Eagles right down the field. DeTillo take it himself as he pulled Avon within seven to make the score 21-14 in favor of Hoban.
Avon hoped to stop Hoban at half to keep the game within one score. Hoban would drive down the field and get into field goal range with about 20 seconds left in the game. A negative pass to Sperling took Hoban out of field goal range as they spiked the ball with only three seconds left in the half. Avon would get penalized for having too many men on the field, this would put them within field goal range as Durkin would hit the 39 yard field goals to give the Knights a 10-point lead at half time making it 24-14.
Hoban get the ball to start the half and drive down the field thanks to a 45-yard run from Sperling. A negative run and penalty would set the Knights back as they would attempt a field goal. A delay of game would push the Knights back causing Durkin to miss the field game keeping the game at 24-14.
Nathanial Vakos nailed a 41-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter making it a one score ball game for the first time since the first quarter (24-17).
Hoban would try to get a drive going as a two yard lose two penalties set the Knights back making it second and 26. This led into a big third down, Crable would take it himself gaining 14 yards. This effort wouldn’t be enough as he was five yards shy giving the Eagles the ball at mid field after a punt.
This gave the Eagles all the energy they needed as DeTillo would continue his fantastic game on the ground as he would get his third rushing touchdown of the game. Vakos hit the extra point tying up the ball game at 24-24.
Hoban took their time and use their run attack that’s ws effective all game to drive down the field to set up Sperling for a 15-yard rushing touchdown. The Knights took the lead with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter. (31-24). Hoban was able to hang on there for the win.
Hoban moves on to the state title game in Canton for the fourth time in five years where they face Winton Woods. Lamar Sperling continues his fantastic playoff campaign with a stat line of 29 carries 280 yards and two touchdowns as he was the man of the hour at Byers Field.
Congratulations LSperling 🔥🔥💪🏾💖