The Hoban Knights defeated the St. Vincent-St. Mary Irish 21-7 at InfoCision Stadium in a battle of two of Akron’s archrivals.
The Irish jumped out to a 7-0 lead after recovering a fumble on Hoban’s 22-yard-line, which set up STVM’s offense for the score.
Donte Taylor scored from two yards out.
2 yard touchdown run for Donte Taylor makes it 7-0 @STVMATHLETICS
9:49 left in 1st pic.twitter.com/k8I2575Jo7
— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) November 13, 2016
Hoban would answer back and running back Todd Sibley punched in a two-yard rushing touchdown of his own to tie the game with 3:49 left in the first quarter.
2 yard rushing td for Todd Sibley puts @HobanAthletics on the board.
We're all tied at 7 with 3:49 left in 1st qtr pic.twitter.com/ugBTeX8u4l
— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) November 13, 2016
STVM gave it right back on their next drive, as Matt Salopek intercepted Ryan Fischer’s pass and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown to put the Knights on top.
Salopek intercepted another pass on STVM’s next drive, but the Knights were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
Both defenses were smothering early in the contest and it wasn’t until late in the second quarter that either side could strike again, as the Knights broke through with an 81-yard completion from Danny Clark to Garrett Houser, setting Hoban up for first and goal from the 2-yard-line.
One of the wildest plays of the night came on third and goal from the 4-yard-line, when running back Will Collier burst through and extended the ball past the goal line, but fumbled.
Luckily, the Knights got a friendly bounce and offensive lineman R.J. Kelly was in the right place at the right time, recovering the fumble in the end zone for the touchdown.
Fumble into the end zone. Hoban's R.J. Kelly recovers. @HobanAthletics leads 21-7 with 3:57 remaining in 2nd qtr pic.twitter.com/Hu6RYnzciA
— Matt Medley (@MedleyHoops) November 13, 2016
Hoban led 21-7 at the break.
The Irish started the second half with the ball and running back Myles Williams, who gained 105 yards in the first half, continued to run over Hoban defenders, leading STVM near the redzone.
Fischer found wide receiver DeAmonte King for a 21-yard completion, setting up the Irish with first and goal at the 2.
The Irish lined up in the shotgun on four straight plays and were stuffed by Hoban’s defense each time.
STVM had 1st and goal at the 1. Hoban made four straight plays to hold. pic.twitter.com/CIwwnPWKNr
— Ryan (@Isley23) November 13, 2016
When asked why Williams, the senior running back was not on the field on any of the four plays, head coach Marcus Wattley declined to comment on specific play calls, but said, “Myles played a hell of a game. We couldn’t have given him the ball enough. Hindsight is 20/20 at this point, but he played hard and the kids played hard.”
That goal line stand by Hoban’s defense proved to be the difference, as neither side could score the rest of the way.
Hoban quarterback Danny Clark played an efficient game, completing 5-of-13 passes for 147 yards, but most importantly, taking care of the football.
The senior threw one interception, but it did not come back to bite Hoban.
Sibley, the Knights senior running back, ran for 77 yards on 18 carries, scoring one touchdown.
Williams rushed for 203 yards on 30 carries in the losing effort.
Despite coming up short, Coach Wattley praised his team for their resilience, which was on display all season, from a slow start to the final whistle of regional semifinal.
“When we were 2-3, everybody counted us out of the playoffs,” said Wattley.
“We won enough games to make the playoffs and go up against the defending state champs in the regional semifinal. We had our shots.”
“They made plays and we didn’t. I couldn’t be more proud of my guys. The seniors led and there were so many people who doubted us. We’re happy to be here, but I know we’re not satisfied with the results.”
The Knights look to defend their state title and are three wins away from being back-to-back Division III champs.
Hoban advances to face New Philadelphia in the Division III Region 9 Final next Saturday.
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