CLEVELAND, Ohio — There are no breaks for Archbishop Hoban this football season.
Maryland’s two-time defending Class A champions come to Ohio on Friday to face the Knights, who will face two other OHSAA state champions later this season in Glenville and St. Edward.
“This is probably the toughest game we’ve ever had,” Hoban coach Tim Tyrrell said of the schedule earlier this month.
His Knights are ranked atop cleveland.com’s preseason top 25. Severn Archbishop Spalding comes to Akron led by Maryland freshman Malik Washington at quarterback. Last season, he threw for 2,093 yards and 21 touchdowns with nine interceptions, six more rushing touchdowns and 204 yards on 29 attempts. Top receiver Aaron Igwebe is also back after catching 61 passes for 777 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore.
Much of the defense is also back, including cornerback Jayden Shipps from Maryland, safety Alijah Jones from Northwestern and defensive lineman Delmar White from Maryland. Washington is his state’s fourth-best prospect in the class of 2025.
Of course, the passing game won’t be easy for him against a Hoban secondary that includes standout junior Elbert “Rock” Hill IV and senior Tylan “Juice” Boykin, who is transferring to Eastern Michigan and moving to cornerback after quarterbacking the Knights last year en route to the OHSAA Division II state finals.
Hoban can match Spalding in the passing game, with Hill and fellow junior Payton Cook the top targets for new quarterback Ethan Roksandich. The Knights can also control the football with a running game boosted by returning sophomore Brayton Feister. A line led by junior tackle Sam Greer and senior Nate Cross will be important for Hoban all year long.
The Knights will stay in Akron for the first six weeks of the season and will host Ramsey Don Bosco Prep from New Jersey next week.
RELATED: Full schedule for Week 1.
An overview of other top games of the week will follow on Wednesday, but here is more information about this duel:
Severn Archbishop Spalding at No. 1 Archbishop Hoban
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Dowed Field in Akron
Last year: Not played
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul at X (@mgoul), Topics (@mgoul) or by email ([email protected]).
