CUYAHOGA FALLS: It took Archbishop Hoban more than 31 minutes to score Friday night against Walsh Jesuit.
But the visiting Knights (7-1) used three second-half touchdowns, including two on interception returns, to power past the Warriors 21-0.
Two of those touchdowns came within 34 seconds of each other. First, junior tailback William Collier ran five yards for a touchdown to break the scoreless tie. Junior defensive back Kentrell Stovall then returned an interception 60 yards for another score.
In the fourth quarter, junior Nate Bauer capped the scoring with a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Other than the touchdown drive in the third quarter, the Knights struggled to move the ball on the Warriors (1-7).
“We have a great defense, and offensively, we were able to move and do some things,” Knights coach Tim Tyrell said. “We just had some untimely turnovers and then also penalties that really killed us.”
The Knights, ranked third in Division III in the Associated Press state poll, definitely didn’t cruise as anticipated in the first half.
The Warriors blocked a Knights punt early in the first quarter in Hoban territory, but Hoban forced a turnover on downs. Minutes later, two consecutive penalties wiped away a first-down run by senior running back Todd Sibley and a 60-yard touchdown reception by freshman tight end Caden Clark.
In the second quarter, Walsh Jesuit senior defensive back Alec Wallace intercepted a pass by Hoban senior quarterback Danny Clark at the Warriors’ 5-yard line to end a scoring threat.
On Hoban’s next possession, junior Zach Weitman sacked Clark at midfield and then forced a turnover on downs.
At the end of the first half, Hoban also missed a 53-yard field goal attempt.
“When it comes to the offensive side of the ball, I take 100 percent of the blame on that one,” Tyrell said. “I wasn’t prepared enough. I’m man enough to say it.”
Then again, for all the Knights’ early struggles, the Warriors had it worse. Their only first down came on a penalty, and they blew critical scoring opportunities as late as the fourth quarter.
After their blocked punt in the first half, the Warriors watched a possession in Hoban territory fizzle. Senior defensive lineman Taylor Jabari sacked senior quarterback Alex Weitman, who then couldn’t connect with senior receiver Steven Walko for a touchdown on fourth down a play later.
The Warriors’ last chance before halftime was stymied by senior linebacker Arison Sanders’ seven-yard sack, and Bauer’s 95-yard interception return ended a promising Warriors drive in the fourth quarter.
“Our kids stayed where they needed to. They were very disciplined on defense,” Tyrell said. “[The game’s] a tribute to our defense and our defensive coaches. I, as a head coach, have to step up this week in practice to save those guys.”
Read the high school blog at http://www.ohio.com/preps. Associated Press