COLUMBUS – In last year’s Division III state title game, Toledo Central Catholic won a shootout against Athens 56-52 at Ohio Stadium.
On Thursday, the Akron Hoban defense made sure there was no repeat performance.
Hoban forced four Central Catholic turnovers and scored on a safety as they won the Division III state title over Central Catholic 33-20 on the campus of Ohio State.
The Knights scored 19 of its 33 points off of four turnovers and a safety.
Because of the turnovers, the final team stats paint a much different picture. Central Catholic outgained Hoban 385-313 and had 21 first downs to 10 for Hoban.
However, Central Catholic couldn’t get anything started in the second half. After going 3 of 7 on third down in the first half, the Fighting Irish converted just 1 of 4 in the second half.
Central Catholic was also 0 of 4 on fourth down.
Todd Sibley had a huge game for Hoban. He carried the ball 33 times for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. After halftime, Sibley had 20 carries for 56 yards.
Sibley and the Knight offense simply grinded out the second half clock. Hoban controlled the ball for 15:18 out of the 24 second-half minutes.
Michael Warren did his part to keep the Fighting Irish in the game. He carried the ball 31 times for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Darion Green had 5 catches for 106 yards for Central Catholic. Torrin Campbell threw for 234 yards, but also threw three interceptions.
It appeared in the first half another Thursday night shootout was in order. After Hoban scored the first two touchdowns, Central Catholic answered with two Warren scores. It was 14-14 with 9:05 left in the second.
Hoban took the lead right back on the next drive. A 5-play, 64-yard drive ended with a Danny Clark 33-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Christian. Hoban led 21-14 with 6:54 left in the second quarter.
After the teams traded three-and-outs, Campbell was sacked and fumbled, recovered by Hoban at the Central Catholic 24.
Two plays later, Sibley scored from 22 yards away. It was 28-14 Hoban at halftime.
Central Catholic pulled within one score in the third. Warren scored his third touchdown of the night on a 21-yard run with 6:37 left in the quarter. The kick was missed, making it 28-20 Hoban.
The Fighting Irish defense tried to do its part. It stopped Hoban after just one first down. However, Dane Kersh hit the perfect punt, bouncing inside the five and making a left-hand turn out of bounds between the one and the pylon.
On the next play, Warren got the carry and was unable to get out of the end zone. It was 30-20 Hoban.
Thursday’s game was the first of seven state title games at Ohio Stadium this weekend. Friday is highlighted by Coldwater at 10 a.m. in the Division V final, and LaSalle in the Division II final at 8 p.m.
Steubenville and Hartley will close the weekend 8 p.m. Saturday in the Division IV title game.
Summary
OHSAA Division III State Championship
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015
@ Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Toledo Central Catholic, Akron Archbishop Hoban
T…0.14.6.0…20
H…14.14.2.3…33
1st Quarter
H – Todd Sibley 55-yard run (Grant Kersh kick) 3:21
H – Jonah Morris 53-yard pass from Danny Clark (Kersh kick) 1:53
2nd Quarter
T – Michael Warren 4-yard run (Zach Hoover kick) 11:54
T – Warren 10-yard run (Hoover kick) 9:05
H – Anthony Christian 33-yard pass from Clark (Kersh kick) 6:54
H – Sibley 22-yard run (Kersh kick) 2:47
3rd Quarter
T – Warren 21-yard run (kick failed) 6:37
H – Safety, Warren tackled in end zone 3:25
4th Quarter
H – Kersh 34-yard field goal 4:03
Team Stats
PLAYS: T 69; H 52. FIRST DOWNS: T 21; H 10. RUSHES-YARDS: T 40-151; H 40-188. PASSING YARDS: T 234; H 125. COMPLETIONS-ATTEMPTS-INTERCEPTIONS: T 17-29-3; H 4-12-0. TOTAL YARDS: T 385; H 313. PENALTIES-YARDS: T 5-31; H 7-48. FUMBLES-LOST: T 1-1; H 1-1. TIME OF POSSESSION: T 22:34; H 25:26.
Individual Stats
Rushing (carries-yards): T Michael Warren 31-163 3 TDs; Darion Greer 1-10; Tre’von Wade 3-7; Torrin Campbell 5-(-27). H Todd Sibley 33-162 2 TDs; Danny Clark 3-18; Joe Horvath 1-13.
Passing (completions-attempts-interceptions): T Campbell 17-29-3 234 yards. H Clark 4-12-0 125 yards 2 TDs.
Receiving (catches-yards): T Darion Greer 5-106; Zach Hoover 5-33; Deion Greer 3-70; Joseph Dandino 2-22; Warren 2-3. H: Anthony Christian 2-64 TD; Jonah Morris 2-61 TD.
