Archbishop Hoban showed resilience in the Ohio Division 2 State Championship game, despite falling short to Massillon Washington 7-2 in a defensive battle. Under head coach Tim Tyrell, the Knights were aiming for their sixth state title. They had previously won championships in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020. Since 2015, the Knights have maintained an impressive 118-13 overall record and have made it to the state finals in eight of the last nine seasons.
The Knights finished the 2023 season with a 13-2 record. They had big wins against Avon in the state semifinals, Cleveland Glenville (D4 champs), Walsh Jesuit, St. Ignatius, Frederick Douglass (Kentucky State Champs), and Trinity Episcopal (Virginia State Finalist). Their only loss besides Massillon Washington was to St. Edward, the Ohio Division 1 State Champs.
The Knights are a powerhouse program in Ohio that reloads every year. This season, they will look to take care of some unfinished business and capture that 6th state title.
Offense
Archbishop Hoban’s offense averaged 31 points per game last season and had a dominating rushing attack. They were led by 6’5”, 300-pound right tackle William Satterwhite, who signed with Tennessee. Satterwhite was the Co-Player of the Year in the Northeast Inland area. Caleb Jones rushed for over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns. He signed with Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. They will both be missed in 2024.
Although Satterwhite and Jones are gone, the Knights are still loaded with offensive weapons. Payton Cook and Tayte Crable will be the go-to targets in the passing game. Cook (6’2”, 180) started as a sophomore last season and already has 11 Division 1 offers, including Michigan, Kentucky, Miami (FL), and Wisconsin, to name a few. Crable is a big, athletic tight end at 6’5” and 215 pounds. He is committed to the University of Toledo. Mason Gibson (6’0” 175) and Jackson Callaway (2026) are two more talented receivers for the Knights.
At Quarterback, the Knights return senior Tylan Boykin. Boykin threw for 1,178 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed for 504 yards during his junior season. After a productive junior year, he will have every opportunity to flourish even more as a senior. Boykin committed to Eastern Michigan as a defensive back.
The Knights ground attack will have a great 1-2 punch with Brayton Feister (6’2”, 215) and Anthony McMullen (5’11”, 195). As a freshman, Feister rushed for 870 yards and scored ten touchdowns. He showed off his talents early and the staff found ways to get him more touches as the season went on. His performance has earned him a few Division 1 offers. McMullen has all the tools and is ready for a breakout season in 2024. He will be a household name before the season ends. McMullen picked up an offer from Robert Morris University.
Archbishop Hoban is known for playing smashmouth football, and it all starts with the bigs up front. They don’t make them much larger than junior offensive tackle Sam Greer (6’8”, 302). Greer got his feet wet last season, and it was an easy decision for Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, and a dozen more Division 1 programs to offer him. He is strong, athletic, and likes to finish. Braylin Parker (6’3, 285) was a key piece to the offensive line last season and gives the Knights the aggressive style of play they are known for. Seniors Nathan Cross (6’1” 275) and Joseph Burkeen (6’0” 290) add experience and leadership on the interior part of the line. Cross played well at center last year, and his role will expand in 2024.
Defense
The Knights’ defense was spectacular in 2023, only giving up 7.6 points per game. Their swarming defense suffocated opposing offenses. They stepped up big and did their job in the state championship game against Massillon Washington. Four names you won’t hear at Dowed Field this year are Jordan Pritchard-Sewell (Holy Cross), Ricky Williams (West Virginia), Devin Bell (Miami, Ohio), and Tysen Campbell (Central Michigan). They all graduated and were standouts.
The new core defensive group in 2024 has shown flashes of greatness and has the potential to shine just as bright. The anchor of the Knights’ defense is Ohio State commit Eli Lee. The 6’3”, 230-pound inside linebacker is tough, athletic, and has a nose for the football. Most recruiting outlets consider Elbert Lee (5’11”, 165) a top-10 cornerback nationally in the class of 2026. Lee had seven interceptions and two kickoff returns for touchdowns as a sophomore. Tanner Mintz (6’1”, 200) is another Division 1 outside linebacker who started as a junior.
Archbishop Hoban’s next rising star on defense is junior Ace Brown. At 6’4” and 220 pounds, Brown is a tall, athletic pass rusher off the edge and played some outside linebacker as a sophomore. He already holds Division 1 offers from Kentucky, Toledo, Bowling Green, and Miami (OH). Nicholas Crawford (5’11” 250) returns on the interior of the defensive line.
This offseason, the Knights added Antonio Williams (6’0”, 180) from Cleveland Heights. Williams has two Division 1 offers and brings more talent to the defense. Zyon Vanleer, Chris Crook (6’2”, 180), Jackson Callaway (2026), and Jaiden Daniels (2027) will add depth and talent to the secondary.
2024 Schedule
The Knights open the season on August 23 against Archbishop Spalding from Maryland. They were 10-2 last season, with their only losses to St. Joseph Prep (PA) and Imhotep Charter (PA). They get another East Coast powerhouse opponent in Week 2 against Don Bosco Prep (NJ). Two marquee games late in the regular season are Week 8 against Cleveland Glenville and Week 10 against St. Edward. Archbishop Hoban always looks to play the best competition in state and elite out-of-state teams.
2024 Outlook
Tim Tyrell has another loaded team with enough blue-chip players on both sides of the ball to win his sixth State Championship.
Archbishop Hoban’s defense has the talent and athleticism on all three levels to slow down and match up with all the opponents on their schedule.
Offensively, they must continue to establish the running game and physical style of play. This is their bread-and-butter way to wear down defenses and control the clock. The passing game must improve, and Cook and Crable must get more touches. Brayton Feister and Elbert Hill will play both ways when needed, giving the Knights more firepower on both sides of the ball.
