by Twinsburg, OH –Despite a playoff atmosphere, the OHSAA Division II Regional Championship was as straightforward as it could possibly be. The first half served as the ‘Lamar Sperling Show’ with the standout senior running back from Archbishop Hoban playing the host. Sperling utterly dominated from the jump. The first play from scrimmage resulted in a 44 yard catch and run from Sperling to get Hoban deep into Hudson Territory. Sperling punched it in from 3 yards out to cap off the explosive opening drive and give the Knights an early lead.
Hudson standout RB Ian Ludewig was voted an All-OHSAA team member by Kee On Sports, but he and the entire offense never got going in the first half. Ludewig was stuffed multiple times on their first drive and punted the ball back to Hoban rather quickly.
Needing the momentum desperately in their favor, Hudson got some. Cornerback Jack Jenkins picked off Hoban QB Jacqai Long just before the end zone. Facing 3rd and 15, Pallay found the same guy who came up with the interception for a huge 25 yard gain. However, that play went for nothing as they punted a minute later.
The second quarter began with a timeout on a key fourth down for Hoban in Hudson territory. Facing a 4th and 4, Lamar Sperling proved to be ‘Ol Reliable’ as he made a beautiful cut to the right side and took the handoff 22 yards for his second touchdown of the game, extending the lead to 13-0.
Hoban junior linebacker Rickey Williams had a stellar first half defensively. He made a couple huge hits on Ian Ludewig in the first quarter, and got a huge sack of Pallay to force a fourth down. He certainly lived up to the name of the former Heisman Trophy winner out of Texas.
Sperling amassed over 120 rushing yards halfway through the second quarter, and he added to that total with his third touchdown of the night, making it a 20-0 ballgame.
The bad beats for Hudson continued, as Pallay threw a pass that was picked off by Tyson Campbell with a minute and a half to go in the first half. The Knights ran a nifty jet sweep to Xavier Williams to set up first and goal. Hoban capitalized once again as Jacqai Long snuck it in himself for a 1 yard score. Hoban entered the locker room at halftime with a 27-0 cushion.
The Hudson Explorers got the ball to start the second half. All that did was give Rickey Williams another opportunity to continue his defensive masterclass, as he got another huge sack of Pallay to force fourth down. This time, they went for it and failed, giving the ball right back to Hoban. The Knights took a full 8 minutes off the clock en route to another touchdown drive, capped off by none other than Sperling. His 4th touchdown of the night gave the Knights a 34-0 lead and a running clock.
The ‘Lamar Sperling Show’ continued in the fourth quarter. After forcing a turnover, the Knights got the ball back and were positioned on their own 40 yard line. Sperling gashed the Hudson defense once again for a 60 yard touchdown run. 41-0 Hoban.
Hudson finally got on the board with 3:32 left in the fourth, but it was obviously too little, too late.
Congrats to Archbishop Hoban on their Regional Championship!
Player of the Game
The most obvious pick I have made all season. It’s Lamar Sperling. He rushed 34 times for a whopping 256 yards and 5 touchdowns.
This is my final article of the high school football season. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read these pieces and I want to send a huge thanks to everyone at Kee On Sports for their hard work this season and covering some unforgettable games.
Thank you for your work! We, Archbishop Hoban HS, appreciate your coverage and everything you do for high school football!
I have enjoyed your articles each week! Thank you for your amazing coverage on my son (Lamar Sperling) and his team!