Archbishop Hoban seniors Jonah Morris and Anthony Christian were in the right place at the right time defensively Friday night.
Morris and Christian were each rewarded with a touchdown, and their efforts were key in Hoban’s 24-21 victory over rival St. Vincent-St. Mary in a Division III regional final before a crowd of about 12,000 at the University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium.
The victory for Hoban is its second over St. V-M this season after the Knights beat the Fighting Irish 24-7 on Sept. 25 at UA. This was the first playoff game between the two Catholic schools based in Akron.
St. V-M (11-2) made a valiant comeback attempt, but senior Tyler Gilchrist covered an onside kick with 1:37 to go in the fourth quarter, Hoban (12-1) ran out most of the clock and the Knights stopped the Irish on a last-ditch long pass to secure the win.
Hoban opened the game with an efficient 10-play drive that covered 80 yards and ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by junior Todd Sibley and extra-point kick by junior Grant Kersh to make it 7-0 with 8:03 to go in the first quarter. Junior quarterback Danny Clark completed 5-of-5 passes on the drive for 79 yards, with Morris gaining 45 yards on a reception to the St. V-M 1-yard line.
The Knights took a 10-0 lead into the second quarter when Kersh kicked a 40-yard field goal with 3:33 left in the first quarter.
The teams played to a scoreless second quarter, but Hoban struck quickly in the third quarter when Morris scooped up a fumble and sprinted 29 yards for a touchdown with 10:43 on the clock. Kersh’s kick gave Hoban a 17-0 lead.
St. V-M responded two possessions later when senior quarterback Dom Davis tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to senior Niko Lalos and junior Jamie Martucci kicked the extra point to make it 17-7.
The Irish drew even closer when junior DeAmonte’ King snagged an interception on the Knights’ 39 and ran to the 18, and one play later senior Markus Hurd rushed for an 18-yard touchdown. Martucci’s kick made it 17-14 with 2:14 left in the third quarter.
Hoban’s defense tightened up on the next two St. V-M possessions with Morris recovering a fumble and Christian intercepting a pass to end Irish drives. Christian returned his interception 22-yards for a touchdown and Kersh’s kick extended Hoban’s lead to 24-14 with 7:55 to go in the fourth quarter.
Hurd rushed for a 2-yard touchdown and Martucci’s kick made it 24-20 with 1:38 left, but the Irish got no closer.
Hoban’s defense was led by Morris and Christian, but senior Dane Kersh and junior Arison Sanders and junior Marc Westover and senior Nick Lewis were also very active.
Sophomore Scott Walter and senior Kyle Loney led the St. V-M defense along with juniors Brandon Bischof, Ryan Farris and Eric Bentley and senior Marcus McAlister.
Hoban will play in a state semifinal on Friday against an opponent and at a site to be determined.
Michael Beaven can be reached at 330-996-3829 or mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the #ABJVarsity high school blog at www.ohio.com/preps. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.