If you’ve ever spent a Friday night in Akron, you know the feeling. The air gets that sharp, late-October bite, the smell of popcorn starts drifting from Dowed Field, and the blue and gold jerseys start looking like an unstoppable force. We are talking about Akron Archbishop Hoban football. It isn't just a high school team. It’s a machine.
Honestly, it’s kind of wild to look at where this program was twenty years ago versus where it is now. Before the mid-2010s, Hoban was "good," sure. They had history. They had the pride of the East Side. But they weren't the "scare every other coach in the state" kind of program they are today.
Everything changed when Tim Tyrrell showed up in 2013. You’ve probably heard the name if you follow Ohio high school football even casually. Since he took over, the Knights haven't just won; they've dominated. We're talking five state championships in a six-year span (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020).
That’s not just luck. That’s a culture shift.
The Tyrrell Era and the Five-Ring Run
When people talk about Akron Archbishop Hoban football, they usually start with the rings. And for good reason. Before 2015, the school had zero state titles in football. Zero. Then, like someone flipped a switch, they rattled off four in a row.
Tyrrell brought a certain Youngstown-bred toughness to the program. He’s a guy who played for Jim Tressel at Youngstown State, so the "blue-collar, no-nonsense" vibe is baked into the DNA of the team.
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The 2025 season showed that the fire hasn't died out. Even when they aren't lifting the trophy at the very end—like the heartbreaker against Massillon Washington in the 2023 Division II final—they are there. Every single year. They've made it to the state finals in eight of the last ten seasons. Think about that for a second. Most programs would give anything just to make one trip to Canton. Hoban basically has a seasonal pass.
What Makes Them Different? (It’s Not Just the Recruiting)
You’ll hear the haters talk about "recruiting" or "private school advantages." People love to complain about that. But if it were just about getting talented kids, every private school in Ohio would have five rings. It's more than that.
- The Schedule: Hoban doesn't play "cupcake" games. Look at their 2025 slate. They played Archbishop Spalding out of Maryland. They played Detroit King. They played St. Edward. They go looking for a fight.
- The "Bigs": Hoban is famous for producing massive offensive linemen. We’re talking guys like William Satterwhite (who went to Tennessee) and Sam Greer, who stands 6’8” and weighs over 300 pounds as a junior. They play smashmouth football.
- The Defense: In 2023, their defense gave up about 7 points a game. Basically, if you didn't score on your first two drives, you probably weren't scoring at all.
Current stars like Elbert "Rock" Hill IV are keeping that tradition alive. This kid is a problem for offensive coordinators. He’s a USC commit for a reason—he’s got track speed and can flip a game on a single kickoff return or a 98-yard pick-six, which he actually did against Central York in 2025.
The NFL Pipeline: From Dowed Field to Sundays
If you want to know how elite a program is, look at the alumni list. Hoban has been churning out pro-level talent for decades, but the recent volume is staggering.
You’ve got James Harrison. Yeah, that James Harrison. The Steelers legend and two-time Super Bowl champ spent time at Hoban. Then there’s Tyrell Sutton, who was a legend at Northwestern before playing for the Panthers and Seahawks.
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More recently, guys like Mason Tipton are making noise with the New Orleans Saints. And don't forget Chip Trayanum, who has been a major name in college football at Arizona State and Ohio State before heading to Kentucky. When you play for the Knights, you aren't just playing for a high school; you're essentially in a pre-college developmental program.
Rivalries That Actually Matter
You can't talk about Akron Archbishop Hoban football without mentioning Walsh Jesuit. That’s the big one. The "Holy War" of Akron. It’s the kind of game where the records don't matter, though lately, Hoban has held the upper hand.
Then there’s the newer, more "elite" rivalry with St. Edward. Because both programs are usually ranked in the Top 10 nationally (or close to it), these games feel like a heavyweight title fight. In 2025, Hoban knocked off St. Ed’s 24-20 in the regular-season finale. It was a slugfest. It was beautiful.
Real Talk: The 2025 Season and Beyond
Entering the 2025 playoffs, the Knights were sitting at 10-2. They had some bumps, like a tough road loss to Archbishop Spalding, but they always seem to peak in November.
Why? Because they have depth. Guys like Brayton "Bub" Feister are the heart of the team. He’s a 6’2”, 220-pound linebacker who also runs the ball like a runaway freight train. When it’s third-and-short in a playoff game, everyone knows who’s getting the ball, and usually, no one can stop him.
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The program is currently operating out of Dowed Field on Inman Street. It’s a classic venue. It only seats about 2,500 people, which means it’s loud, cramped, and incredibly intimidating for visiting teams. If you’re planning to go to a big game there, get there early. The parking situation is... well, it's a high school in a residential neighborhood. It's a bit of a mess, but that’s part of the charm.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Athletes
If you’re a parent of a young athlete or a fan trying to follow the team, here is the "insider" info you actually need:
- Ticket Strategy: Don't wait for the gate. Hoban uses digital ticketing for almost everything now. Check their official athletic site or the OHSAA site for playoff games.
- The "V-Lot": If you’re dropping off a student for a game, use the V-Lot. Don't try to pull a U-turn on Inman Street during a Friday night. The cops will not be happy with you.
- Recruiting Visibility: If you’re a player looking to get noticed, Hoban is one of the best places to be. Why? Because every major college scout in the Midwest stops at Hoban. Coach Tyrrell is well-connected, and the film against high-level opponents is worth its weight in gold.
- Weather Proofing: Dowed Field is at the top of a hill. The wind cuts right through those stands. Even if it’s 50 degrees in downtown Akron, it feels like 30 on the hill. Bring a blanket.
The reality of Akron Archbishop Hoban football is that it has become a standard-bearer for Ohio. They aren't just winning games; they are defining what modern high school football looks like. It’s physical, it’s fast, and it’s incredibly disciplined.
Whether you love them or hate them, you have to respect the consistency. As long as Tyrrell is on the sidelines and guys like Rock Hill are patrolling the secondary, the road to a Division II state title is always going to go through Akron.
To stay updated on the Knights' current playoff run or to see the latest recruiting news for the class of 2026, keep an eye on the official OHSAA brackets and the local Akron Beacon Journal sports section. If you want to see the action in person, make sure to monitor the Hoban Athletics Twitter/X feed for mid-week schedule changes, as weather in Northeast Ohio can flip a Friday night game to a Saturday afternoon in a heartbeat.