Warriors Break the Streak: Walsh Jesuit Defeats Archbishop Hoban for First Time Since 2014
The Walsh Jesuit Warriors pulled off a 19-14 upset victory over the Archbishop Hoban Knights at Conway Memorial Stadium, ending an 11-game losing streak that stretched back to 2014. Walsh Jesuit used a late-game surge led by quarterback Keller Moten to finally topple their rival and preserve their unbeaten season, advancing to 7-0.
Archbishop Hoban entered the game with a five-game win streak, but the Walsh Jesuit defense made it clear early that this night would be different. After a scoreless first quarter, Moten broke the deadlock in the second quarter by hitting Aiden Henry for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 10:58 left in the half, putting the Warriors up 7-0. Just minutes later, Moten had an electrifying 66-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 13-0.
Hoban struggled to find a rhythm on offense. A critical holding call negated a 62-yard touchdown run by Brayton Feister in the third quarter, and the Knights couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities as the third period ended scoreless.
However, Hoban found new life in the fourth quarter. After a trick play, double pass from Elbert Hill to Callaway Jackson set them up deep in Walsh territory, quarterback Trent Hayden found John Johnson for a 12-yard touchdown, cutting the Warriors’ lead to 13-7 with just under nine minutes left. Momentum seemed to shift in Hoban’s favor when Hayden connected with Feister for a touchdown to give the Knights a 14-13 lead with only 2:30 remaining.
But Walsh Jesuit wouldn’t be denied. Starting on their own 38, Moten engineered a clutch drive, including a couple of key runs to bring the Warriors within striking distance. He finished the drive himself with a 10-yard touchdown run, putting Walsh Jesuit ahead 19-14 with just 39 seconds left.
Despite Hoban’s last-minute heroics, which saw Hayden complete a critical pass to Tylan Boykin to move into Warriors territory, Walsh Jesuit’s defense stood firm. The final pass into the end zone was swatted away, sealing the emotional victory for the Warriors.
For the first time in a decade, the Walsh Jesuit Warriors celebrated a hard-earned win over Archbishop Hoban, a result that may have major implications for both teams as they march towards the playoffs.