Multiple backs with 'different styles' guide Hoban to OHSAA football state final
The Archbishop Hoban football team is back in a state championship for the eighth time in nine seasons with an offense that relies on running the ball and a defense that loves to stop the run.
The major difference on offense from last season to this season is quite noticeable as Hoban (13-1) prepares to meet Massillon (15-0) in the Division II state championship at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Lamar Sperling, the 2022 Mr. Football recipient, accounted for the majority of Hoban's rushing yards and touchdowns last season.
The Knights have taken on a different look this season with Sperling in college at Buffalo.
Hoban junior Tylan Boykin is a threat to run or pass as a first-year starter at quarterback.
Senior Caleb Jones is Hoban's No. 1 running back this season, but he is happy to split carries with Boykin, senior Xavier Williams and freshman Brayton Feister.
"Coach T [Tim Tyrrell] came into the season telling me that we were going back to the old ways of how they would utilize multiple backs," Jones said Friday after Hoban's 17-14 win over previously undefeated Avon in a state semifinal.
"That is what we are doing this season, and it is working."
Hoban is seeking its sixth state championship after winning Division III titles in 2015 and 2016 and Division II crowns in 2017, 2018 and 2020. The Knights were Division II state runners-up in 2021 and 2022.
Jones, Williams, Feister and Boykin have gotten consistent carries the past two weeks as Hoban topped Walsh Jesuit 30-6 in the regional final and then Avon.
Jones ran for 113 yards on 17 carries against Walsh and for 71 yards and a TD on 13 carries versus Avon.
Williams ran for 84 yards and two TDs on five carries versus Walsh and for 108 yards and a TD on eight carries against Avon.
Feister ran for 71 yards on 12 carries against Walsh and for 50 yards on 10 carries versus Avon.
Feister said he approached his freshman season with the mindset to "work my butt off and make sure I get carries."
"We have so many different styles," Feister said. "It is hard for a defense to adjust after someone can run the ball for four or five carries and then we change to another running back who can run the ball for four or five carries. It is hard to adjust to that with the versatility of our backs."
Boykin, a starting cornerback last year, ran for 101 yards and two TDs on eight carries against Walsh. He ran for 49 yards on nine carries and completed 7 of 15 passes for 57 yards with one interception versus Avon.
"I knew when I first stepped into the role that I brought a different dynamic to the quarterback position," Boykin said. "I have my legs that I can use to make plays. I really didn't get to showcase that until last week against Walsh. That is when everybody really noticed that I have legs.
"It is fun being able to confuse the defense because they don't know where we are going with the football. It gives us an outlet to make different plays and score different touchdowns."
Sperling finished last season with a school-record 3,867 rushing yards and a state-record 58 rushing TDs on 417 carries.
"Lamar was our guy last year, but this year everybody gets some love with the rock and we do what we have to do with it," Williams said Friday. "I love playing with my teammates. Our offensive linemen keep blocking very well."
Hoban's starters up front are seniors William Satterwhite, Jvon Lindsey and Nate Townend, junior Nate Cross and sophomore Sam Greer. Junior Joseph Burkeen and sophomore Braylin Parker play as reserve linemen.
Seniors Dominic Bush, Deon Rodgers, Devin Bell and Jordan Pritchard-Sewell take snaps at fullback and senior Josh Greer and junior Tayte Crable are the primary tight ends.
"It starts up front with our offensive linemen," Tyrrell said. "We gotta keep getting better at the running back position and hit the holes. As much as we saw some nice things [against Walsh and Avon], there were still some things that we saw that could have been a little bit better."
Tyrrell is confident that his four primary offensive playmakers will deliver Thursday.
"It is going to be a hard-fought game," Williams said. "Massillon is a really good team and they haven't lost a game this year. We respect them. Our end goal is to win the state championship, and they are in our way. We gotta play them and beat them. Our goal is to win the state championship no matter who the opponent is. We gotta go into this game with one mindset and that is to win."
Boykin, Jones, Williams and Tyrrell are also optimistic about Feister's future at running back.
"The next three years for him are going to be great," Jones said. "He is up here with us and doing what he's gotta do on varsity. Not many freshman play varsity at Hoban."
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Caleb Jones, Xavier Williams, Tylan Boykin lead Hoban football offense
