Playoff football: Avon meeting familiar foe Hoban in Division II state semifinals

Something had to change eventually in the Avon-Hoban rivalry, so why not start with the venue? Two of Ohio's best high school football programs will meet in the Division II state semifinals for the sixth time in the last eight seasons when they take the field Friday at 7 p.m. at the University of Akron's InfoCision Stadium. The previous three meetings were held at Parma Byers Field and the first two were at Brunswick High School. The Eagles are hoping that's not all that changes as Hoban has won every meeting dating back to their first in 2017. The Knights have reached the state final in eight of the last nine seasons, their first two times coming in Division III, with five state championships during that span. Their last title came in 2020. The Eagles have come close to knocking off Hoban the last three meetings, tying the game in the fourth quarter in 2020 and 2021 and taking a lead into the fourth quarter of last year's showdown. But the Knights had an answer each time. Even though they haven't beaten Hoban, the Eagles have won in the state semifinals, defeating Aurora 43-20 in 2011. Avon went on to lose the state championship 42-28 to Trotwood-Madison. As far as the matchup with Hoban goes, expect another slugfest. "There's not much different about them," Avon coach Mike Elder said. "They're big, strong and physical up front on offense. They want to run the ball, that's their goal, and make you stop it. Then they have athletes who are capable of making plays in the passing game once they get you committed to stopping the run. On the flip side, their defense is stingy like they always are with multiple Power 4 guys all over the field. It's a typical Hoban team, they're very talented and they have great players." Hoban has produced some great backs in the last decade, and sophomore Brayton Feister is doing his part to continue that tradition this season. He's the clear leader of the offense, accounting for 45 percent of the team's output with 1,949 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns on 273 attempts, while also adding 92 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches. He runs behind seniors Joseph Burkeen and Nate Cross along with juniors Sam Greer and Braylin Parker, sophomore Rylee Pickering and senior tight end Tayte Crable, a South Florida commit who also helps out in the passing game with 17 catches for 190 yards and a touchdown. The Knights have three receivers — John Johnson, Elbert Hill and Jackson Callaway — who each have at least 200 yards. Hill leads the way with 14 catches for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Callaway has the team high in touchdowns with four while Johnson's 18 catches lead the team. "Obviously when you get into playoff football you have to defend the run," Elder said. "We were faced with a back last week in front of a big physical offensive line that rushed for over 2,000 yards. This week it's an even bigger back and then they do some wildcat stuff with the great athletes they have. It's a similar challenge, but Hoban goes about it differently. It's about stopping the run for our defense and then on the flip side for us we have to be able to be creative to move the ball." Hoban has a ton of talent on defense, too, led by senior linebackers Eli Lee, an Ohio State commit, and Tanner Mintz. Both have more than 110 tackles, at least eight sacks and have combined for three defensive touchdowns. Up front, senior Nick Crawford anchors the defensive line with more than 17 sacks. He's joined by junior Ace Brown, also producing double-digit sacks. Tylan Boykin, an Eastern Michigan commit, and Hill anchor the secondary and have combined for nine interceptions and three touchdowns. "They've got a lot of good players," Avon junior running back Quiante' Smith said. "They've got a few players with D-I offers. They've got some fast guys who are very explosive. They can do things that will make it difficult for us when we have the ball in our hands. It's going to be a really good challenge going against another great team." Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.