By MICHAEL BEAVEN

Akron Beacon Journal

COLUMBUS

The Archbishop Hoban football team came to Columbus and took care of business on the field Thursday night.

The Division III state championship trophy was up for grabs, and the Knights made sure to bring it back to Akron by defeating defending state champion Toledo Central Catholic 33-20 before a crowd of 7,553 on a chilly evening at Ohio Stadium.

Hoban (14-1) utilized a big-play offense and a defense that forced four turnovers and a safety to top the Fighting Irish (12-3).

Hoban junior Todd Sibley, an Ohio State recruit, rushed 33 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns behind a solid effort from the Hoban offensive line of seniors Jacob Kepler, Jacob McNeil and Tom Redle, and sophomore RJ Kelly and freshman Nolan Rumler.

Knights junior quarterback Danny Clark, an Ohio State recruit, completed 4-of-12 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Hoban came out fast and built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on four big plays, two on defense and two on offense, for coach Tim Tyrrell.

Hoban’s first possession concluded with just 3 yards gained, but the defense forced a turnover on downs to end the Irish’s first possession. Knights senior Nick Lewis and junior Arison Sanders combined to tackle junior Michael Warren, a University of Kentucky recruit, for no gain on a fourth-and-1 on the Knights’ 22-yard line.

Hoban then ran Sibley five plays in a row, the last for 55 yards and a TD with 3:21 to go in the first quarter. Junior Grant Kersh kicked the extra point to make it 7-0.

Toledo CC’s second possession ended with an interception by Hoban senior Anthony Christian at 2:02. One play later, Clark threw a 53-yard TD pass to senior Jonah Morris and Kersh’s kick made it 14-0.

The Irish countered with 14 unanswered points in the second quarter to draw even. Senior quarterback Torrin Campbell connected on deep passes on each drive, one apiece to senior twin brothers Darion Greer and Deion Greer, and Warren rushed for two TDs, a 4-yard run at 11:54 and a 10-yard run at 9:05.

But the Knights responded by scoring the final 14 points of the second quarter to lead 28-14 at halftime. Clark threw a 33-yard TD pass to Christian with 6:54 left and Sibley rushed for a 22-yard touchdown with 2:47 on the clock.

In between those TDs, Hoban forced Toledo CC into its third turnover when Sanders sacked Campbell and knocked the ball loose, with junior Marc Westover recovering on the Irish 24 with 3:28 to go in the first half.