AKRON, Ohio — Southern California commit Elbert “Rock” Hill IV intercepted two passes in the first quarter Friday, including one that prevented St. Edward from scoring an early touchdown.
Hill left the game early because of an injury but his impact was still felt in Archbishop Hoban’s 24-20 win against the Eagles at Dowed Field in Akron.
Hoban (8-1), ranked fourth in the cleveland.com high school football Top 25, came up with four interceptions. The Knights clinched their victory with a pick-six late in the fourth quarter by Jackson Callaway. They scored their first touchdown after Brydon Feister’s interception off a tipped pass by defensive end Ace Brown.
Hoban never trailed No. 2 St. Edward (8-2), but the Eagles kept it close throughout. They tied the score early in the first quarter on Toledo recruit Zach Hackleman’s 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, then again in the fourth quarter on a 78-yard reception by Brandon White from Jonny Evanchick.
Hackleman also left the game in the second quarter after a hard hit on his third reception. Evanchick completed 9 of 18 passes for 185 yards, finding White five times for 117 yards. White added 53 yards on 15 carries, as St. Edward’s run game gained 98 yards as a team.
Four holding calls nixed runs by the visitors. One of them wiped away an early TD pass from Evanchick to White.
Meanwhile, Hoban rushed for 263 yards. Senior La’Near Folk rushed the ball 15 times for 110 yards, while junior Brayton Feister added 91 yards on 16 carries.
Hoban took the lead with Jeremy Hammel’s 36-yard field goal in the final 2:12. Callaway’s interception for a touchdown followed, and the Eagles then scored on the last play to set the final margin.
See how it unfolded in the video above and hear from Hill, Ohio State-bound tackle Sam Greer, converted quarterback Payton Cook and Hoban coach Tim Tyrrell.
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