AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Holy War kicked off Friday night, as Hoban and Walsh battled at InfoCision Stadium for the Division II, Region 5 Final.
The stadium was equally full of Hoban and Walsh superfans along with many local spectators. The Walsh faithful were left disappointed as the Friday Night Lights went out. Hoban ran over Walsh from start to finish in their triumphant 30-6 win.
The beginning of the game both offenses came out slow. Multiple timeouts and turnovers occurred in the first for both teams. The first touchdown didn’t come till Hoban scored on a sweep run through Xavier Williams for 22 yards. Tylan Boykin then ran for a 74 yard touchdown to give the Knights a 14-0 lead over the Warriors at half.
“We obviously started off slow in the first half, then we gave me the ball and you know we scored,” said Senior RB/DB Xavier Williams. “I got our team all hyped up and then Tylan had a great run for a touchdown. Two touchdowns in the first half so you know we were like BOOM.”
Xavier Williams has played cornerback only the past few weeks and Friday was the first time he got any carries. Williams made the best of it and looks to stay in the rotation.
“He’s a great pace changer, obviously the past few weeks he’s been playing corner so we had to switch things up,” said Hoban Head Coach Tyrrell. “He changes the pace of the game so well. You know the other two guys were pounding and pounding and pounding so the defense wasn’t ready for when we put Xavier in.”
Hoban used a variety of rush attacks to throw off Walsh's defense all night. Hoban ran for 384 yards and four touchdowns on the night. Both Hoban’s and Walsh’s quarterbacks struggled in the passing game all night long. Hoban neutralized the warriors electrifying quarterback Keller Moten while Walsh forced Tylan Boykin to use his legs all night long. Tylan ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns including a 74 yard rush to end the first half.
Hoban was forced to punt for the first time in the second half, planting Walsh at the one yard line. Devin Bell a few plays later wrapped up Keller Moten for a safety. Hoban held Walsh scoreless all the way till one of the final drives of the game. Keller Moten completed a 10 yard pass to Aidan Henry for a touchdown.
Hoban has allowed only 20 points running over all four teams it faced in its region. The Knights will take on Avon next for the state semi-finals. Avon’s offense soared through its region scoring at least four touchdowns in each game. Hoban will meet one of its toughest opponents so far this postseason, next Friday versus Avon at Parma Byers Field. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.