Football Defeats Akron Archbishop Hoban in OHSAA Division II State Championship Game, 28-21

The Central Catholic football team defeated Akron Archbishop Hoban 28-21 on Thursday in the OHSAA Division II State Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. With the heart-pounding win, the Fighting Irish capped their memorable 2022 season with a 15-1 record.

CCHS jumped out to a 28-7 lead at halftime and held off a late Knights’ (14-2) rally to secure its 5th state title (1962, 2005, ’12, ’14, ‘22) in program history. Hoban registered a pair of TDs in the 3rd quarter to make it a 1-score game, but the Fighting Irish stood their ground in the waning minutes to avenge a 33-20 setback in the 2015 Division III state final in Columbus.

Senior RB Chris Edmonds led the way for the Scarlet & Gray with 104 yards on 22 carries on the ground, topping the century mark for the 14th time this fall.

Senior QB Ty’Waun Clark completed 7-of-13 passes for 62 yards and 1 TD. Clark also tallied 77 yards on 15 rushes and 2 scores. The 2022 honorable mention All-TRAC honoree was responsible for a 15-yard TD pass to senior WR Durye’a Hall, as well as 1- and 24-yard TD runs, respectively.

Clark’s favorite target was senior WR/DB Braden Awls, who reeled in a game-high 6 receptions for 30 yards. Awls was also credited with a pivotal 92-yard interception return for a score to put Central Catholic in front 21-0 early in the 2nd quarter.

Defensively, senior LB Ramon Foster Jr. posted a team-high 10 tackles, 1 more than classmate LB Cody Schuberg.

Hoban RB Lamar Sperling, who earlier in the day was named “Mr. Football” in the state, totaled 356 yards on 40 carries and 3 TDs. Sperling posted all but 6 yards of total offense for the Knights.

Thursday’s game marked the final contest for CCHS’s 22-member senior class – Braden Awls, Brian Bishop, Andrew-Carter Price, Ty’Waun Clark, Winston Delp, Chris Edmonds, Deandre Ellis, Ramon Foster Jr., Ryland Garrett Jr., Santos Garza, Durye’a Hall, Solomon King, Tyler Jackson, RJ Maddox Jr., Chris Moody, Javon Murphy, Cody Schuberg, Delonte’ Shelmon-Banks, Ayden Tanhueco, Mekhi Warren, Danny Witcher III, and Braiden Vargas.