The KNIGHT time is the right time! Archbishop Hoban wins 30-6 over Walsh Jesuit

Photo by Mark "Munch" Bishop

Any movie aficionado remembers the flick THE WARRIORS and the classic line “Who are the warriors”? I found out last night that the Walsh Jesuit Warriors are a scrappy, talented bunch led by HC Nick Alexander and on the field by Brock Sherman, Keller Moten, John Keough, Owen Feliciano and many more. I also found out that the size, depth, and speed of the Archbishop Hoban Knights prevailed on a crisp, chilly “knight” at the University of Akron’s great InfoCision Stadium, I was able to view the action from the sidelines and the first half of the game was truly surprising after the first meeting of these two squads.

Walsh started 3 and out and on Hoban’s first play the Warriors picked off a pass on a slant and were back in business. The Warriors gave it back and at 6:44 of the first the Knights fumbled and WJ was back in business. A turning point early in the game was Walsh’s Brock Sherman being stopped on a 4th and 4. The Warriors were using a full house backfield with running backs on either side of QB Moten and the TB right behind him.

Hoban took over on the Walsh 45 and after a few plays they got down to the 1 where an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Knights moved the ball back to the 16. Another Hoban penalty then moved the ball to the Walsh 26 where it was 4th and 20 and the Knights stalled.

Things happened quickly in the Knights favor after the failed drive as Hoban’s Tysen Campbell, looking splendid in his OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY football gloves then picked off Moten after the Warriors were driving, and Hoban had the ball on their own 12. The Knights rode frosh Brayton Feister all the way to the Warriors 22 where Xavier Williams scored on a jet sweep. Jeremy Hammel’s PAT was good and at 4:53 of the 2nd Hoban led 7-0.

In the blink of an eye Hoban’s D led by 3.9 student Jordan Pritchard-Sewell and a host of others forced another punt and with :11 seconds Knights QB Tylan Boykin took off on a 74-yard TD run! PAT was good and at the half it was Archbishop Hoban 14 Walsh Jesuit 0. There is no doubt in my mind that the run by Boykin was the backbreaker even though there was a whole half left to play!

Boykin 1 yard TD run with 7:54 left in game. PAT good. 30-0 Hoban. @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/WEyBBCkmJ9

— Mark Munch Bishop (@MunchCleveland) November 18, 2023

Hoban started with the ball on the 3rd and Walsh’ John Keough had a pick, the third take away of the day by the Warriors, and they were back in business on their own 6. What happened next was another one of those backbreaking plays as Hoban’s Caleb Jones picked off Moten and Xaiver Williams took off on a 49-yard TD run! The PAT made it 21 – 0 in favor of the Knights.

Walsh and Hoban exchanged punts and the teams went into the 4th quarter. WJ was pinned at their own 1, a penalty moved it back to the 1/2-yard line and Hoban nailed the Warriors for a safety. 23 – 0. Boykin then scored on a short TD run and the Warriors avoided the goose egg with a 10-yard Moten to Henry TD pass. The final ARCHBISHOP HOBAN 30 WALSH JESUIT 6.

Hoban will play Avon, winners over Highland, in the DII state semifinals on Friday November 24th. After last night’s game there is no doubt, THE KNIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME!