Eagles Top Knights 41-20 In Battle of Ohio’s Best

In the 3rd ranked game in the United States Friday night, according to MaxPreps, the Eagles combo of Casey Bullock and Marvin Bell proved to be too much for Hoban (NEOSI #1), as St. Edward (NEOSI #2) came away with a convincing 41-20 victory. It was a close battle early, but a 20-0 run from the Eagles gave them the distance they needed to hold on for the win.

 

First Half

St. Edward took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards to take an early 7-0 lead. On 2nd and goal, QB Casey Bullock kept it himself for a 7-yard score. Hoban would respond right away with a long drive of their own. On his 5th touch of a seven play drive, Lamar Sperling would strike from 17 yards out to tie things up at 7-7.

The Eagles would take their next drive into Knights territory, but things came to a halt when the ball hit the turf and Hoban came up with the recovery. They wouldn’t have the ball long, as the very next play the ball came loose again, this time St. Edward came away with it. Setting up shop at the Knights 33, the Eagles drove down to the 1 and were facing 4th down. Marvin Bell then took his first carry right up the middle for the 1-yard touchdown, putting St. Edward up 14-7.

Just as they did earlier, Hoban would respond right away. Starting on their own 26, Lamar Sperling carried the ball ten times on a 12 play drive, plowing in from a yard out for his second score of the game. After a missed extra point, the Eagles led the Knights 14-13. For the first time in the game, both defenses stood strong and forced three and outs.

The next St. Edward possession started at the Hoban 38 and would prove to be their shortest of the night. On 3rd and 1, Bell went right up the middle, this time for 53 yards and his second touchdown of the game, putting the Eagles up 21-13. Just as they did on their last possession, the Eagles defense stuffed Sperling three times to force a Hoban punt. 

Seven plays and 43 yards later, Bullock would cross the goal line from seven yards out to stretch the lead to 28-13 with 28 seconds remaining in the half. 

 

Second Half

After forcing a three and out to open the half, St. Edward would stretch their lead out even further. Casey Bullock took to the air on the fourth play of the drive and hooked up with Brian Sullivan for a 66-yard touchdown. A missed extra point made the score 34-13 Eagles, a 20-0 scoring run. 

Facing a three score deficit, the Knights would strike for a touchdown pass of their own. QB Jacqai Long hooked up with freshman Payton Cook who took it in for the 31-yard touchdown, bringing Hoban closer at 34-20.

The defenses then took center stage as the offenses traded punts and turnover, Hoban coming away with a fumble recovery and St. Edward with an interception. Midway through the 4th, Marvin Bell would strike again, this time from five yards out to stretch the score to a final of 41-20.

 

Keys to the Game

Though they didn’t come away with the victory, Lamar Sperling made a statement against a tough Eagles defense. A top candidate for the Mr. Football award, Sperling was able to rush for 157 yards and two touchdowns on arguably the toughest defense in the state. With 2,089 yards and 31 touchdowns on the season, there is little doubt who should come away with the award.

Much like they have all season, the offensive line paved the way for a dominant St. Edward rushing attack. RB Marvin Bell (133 yards) crossed the century mark yet again and QB Casey Bullock (97 yards)  was close behind. On defense, they were able to rack up five sacks in the game. The combination of a dominant running game and outstanding defense will go a long way as the Eagles look to repeat as champions. 

 

Next Week

The regular season has come to a close and both teams are positioned as the #1 seed in their respective region. The Knights were state runner up a year ago and are favorites to get back to the championship game. Up next for Hoban is a first round showdown with Willoughby South (4-6). 

Looking to repeat as champions in Division I, the Eagles will kick off their playoff run with a home matchup against Stow-Munroe Falls (1-9). This is not your typical first round matchup, as Bulldogs senior RB/LB Teddy Gregory will square off with his younger brother Nate, a sophomore LB for St. Edward.

 

Top Performers

 

Archbishop Hoban

Jacqai Long: 7-15 105 yards 1 TD 1 INT

Lamar Sperling: 30 carries 157 yards 2 TD

 

St. Edward

Casey Bullock: 7-14 122 yards 1 TD   17 carries 97 yards 2 TD

Marvin Bell: 16 carries 133 yards 3 TD

 

Scoring Summary

 

1st Quarter

St. Edward 8:46- Casey Bullock, 9-yard run (Benjamin Lavelle kick good)

Hoban 5:39- Lamar Sperling, 17-yard run (Ryan Bums kick good)

St. Edward 1:33- Marvin Bell, 1-yard run (Lavelle kick good)

 

2nd Quarter

Hoban 9:04- Lamar Sperling, 1-yard run (kick no good)

St. Edward 4:37- Marvin Bell, 53-yard run (Lavelle kick good)

St. Edward 0:28- Casey Bullock, 7-yard run (Lavelle kick good)

 

3rd Quarter

St. Edward 8:24- Casey Bullock to Brian Sullivan, 66 yards (kick no good)

Hoban 7:20- Jacqai Long to Payton Cook, 31 yards (Bums kick good)

 

4th Quarter

St. Edward 5:20- Marvin Bell, 5-yard run (Lavelle kick good)

 

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	FINAL
Hoban	7	6	7	0	20
St. Edward	14	14	6	7	41

 

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