The lights shined bright over Conway Memorial Stadium as the seconds ticked away. Walsh Jesuit’s football team, driven by years of near-misses, was on the verge of doing what had not been done in a decade, beating the Archbishop Hoban Knights. With only 39 seconds left on the clock, senior quarterback Keller Moten sprinted into the end zone to seal a dramatic 19-14 victory, sending the Walsh Jesuit crowd into a frenzy as they stormed the field.

“This win brought us together as a community and gave us a great amount of school spirit,” said senior superfan Andrew Willkomm. After 10 years and 11 tough matchups, the Warriors finally triumphed over this major rival. It was a moment the entire school community had been waiting for after the losses in past years.

The win was no accident; it was a year in the making. The team had prepared tirelessly since last season’s 34-7 playoff loss to the Knights. “It starts all the way from the off-season and everything else building up to this very moment. We took it week by week, and once we got here, we knew what we needed to do,” said Coach Alexander. It marked his first win over Hoban since becoming head coach in 2019.

“It gives us a lot of momentum and confidence for the rest of the season, but we still need to keep in mind that we could possibly see them again in an even bigger game,” said senior captain Aiden Henry. Henry, who had 210 all-purpose yards, five catches, and a touchdown, was a crucial part of the win. He knows that the team cannot rest on its great record, though.

Moten’s big plays were an important part of the win. The senior quarterback accounted for three touchdowns, including an amazing 66-yard run in the first half. He completed 10 of 19 passes for 152 yards, delivering in the clutch when his team needed him the most. “I just really appreciate the trust that he has in me,” Moten said to Cleveland.com, referring to Coach Alexander’s decision to put the ball in his hands during the final drive. “He knows I’m a playmaker and I like the ball whenever, wherever, and I know I’m going to make a play.”

As the final whistle blew, the stands erupted, and for many students, it was their first time experiencing a victory over Hoban. “Knowing we could storm the field and feel what it is like to be a part of a huge, unified community was so amazing. An awesome environment to be in,” said senior Hannah Pachan. The energy on the field and in the stands was unlike anything the school had seen in years.

Former Head Coach and current Dean of Students, Mr. Reardin, who was the last to lead the Warriors to a win over Hoban, shared his excitement: “Being the last Head Coach to ever beat Hoban was an accomplishment, but I knew Alexander had big plans for this team this year. Seeing him accomplish such an amazing thing with this team really brings joy to me and this phenomenal Walsh community.”

Hoban, ranked No. 3 in the Cleveland.com Top 25, didn’t go down without a fight. They took a 14-13 lead late in the fourth quarter, forcing the Warriors to step up on defense and special teams. “We take a lot of pride in special teams,” Henry said to Cleveland.com. “It’s a third of the game that a lot of people don’t talk about. We call it ghost yards, and those yards can really make or break a game.”

With this victory, the Warriors’ record improved to 7-0-0. They are now setting their sights on a strong finish to the regular season and a deep playoff run.

“Big things are in our future,” Coach Alexander stated as the whole school continues to rally behind the team during this historic year.