Photo by Ray Horner

Xavier Kirksey-Ivery had two long kickoff returns, including a 95-yard touchdown, as Archbishop Hoban defeated Parma Padua 14-11.

AKRON -- Archbishop Hoban's football team had nine penalties and two turnovers and sputtered with just 117 yards of offense on Friday night, but its special teams play was outstanding and paved the way for a 14-11 playoff win over visiting Parma Padua.

Xavier Kirksey-Ivery returned one kickoff to the Padua 5-yard line to set up Hoban's first score, and returned the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards for their second TD.

It would be all the Knights needed to advance to the second round of the OHSAA Division II state playoffs.

Padua was held to 71 yards rushing by a rugged defensive performance from the Knights.

"Our special teams were good the first time we played them, and again here, thank goodness for our kickoff return team tonight," said Hoban coach Ralph Orsini.

Orsini changed quarterbacks at halftime, moving in senior David Bott over Dan Hinton.

"Dan was in an accident on Sunday and just looked out of it, was not his typical self, and Bott responded well" explained Orsini.

Padua scored their touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 19-yard touchdown pass to James Flowers.

Hoban will now take on Poland next Friday night in the state round of 16.