TWINSBURG, Ohio- The lights were on for a division two, region five semi-final matchup between the one seed Archbishop Hoban Knights and four seed Painesville Riverside Beavers. Hoban’s defense quickly put the lights out in a dominant performance. The Knights continued to prove they’re the best of the best.
The first two minutes of the game Hoban scored. Riverside quarterback Mikey Maloney tried to throw a quick screen pass that wound up in the hands of Hoban’s linebacker Tanner Mintz for a 25 yard touchdown return. The Knights stole the momentum early and never looked back.
Hoban sophomore two-way player Payton Cook broke up a pass to force a turnover on downs. The following drive Caleb Jones clawed his way into the endzone for a one yard touchdown.
Riverside made the best of their next drive including a 23 yard pass from Maloney and a 15 yard rush from Maloney to convert a fourth and long. Hoban defensive tackle Jordan Pritchard-Sewell ruined the Beavers' fun when he sacked Maloney for a six yard loss to force a fourth down.
Hoban held Riverside's passing and rushing game down all first half. Riverside was forced to eclipse 100 yards in the second half.
Caleb Jones came out fast for Hoban in the second half scoring the only touchdown of the final 24 minutes of game time. Hoban took a 21-0 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Pritchard Sewell had a sack in the third quarter for a loss of ten yards. Riverside also sacked Hoban quarterback Tylan Boykin multiple times and forced him to fumble in the third quarter.
On the very first play of the fourth quarter Hoban’s Rickey Williams sacked Mikey Milano for a loss of ten yards. A few plays later Jordan Pritchard Sewell got his third and final sack of the night forcing a turnover on downs.
Riverside's offense had multiple explosive plays in the fourth quarter including a 52 yard catch by Brady McNight. The Beavers converted multiple fourth downs to stay in the game but ultimately failed to score each drive.
The Archbishop Hoban Knights will take on the Walsh Jesuit Warriors in the regional final at Twinsburg Tiger Stadium next week. Kickoff will take place at 7 p.m.