This rivalry began in 1957 and is often referred to as “Akron’s Holy War.” The teams enter Friday’s matchup with the all-time series tied at 21. The two teams battle for the Ancient Order of Hibernians Shillelagh Stick which is awarded to the winner each year. The Knights handed the Fighting Irish a 24-0 loss in 2016 which marked Hoban’s second straight win in the series. The Knights’ 24-7 win in 2015 snapped an eight-game win streak for the Fighting Irish.

MVP

Tyris Dickerson

Archbishop Hoban

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Reid Allen

Archbishop Hoban

Reid is a three-year letterman and a part of Hoban’s back-to-back state championship teams. He is a student ambassador, volunteers for ATC and is on the Honor Roll with the highest honors. He plans on pursuing a degree in business.

Zach Olson

St. Vincent St. Mary

Zach is a two-year letterman and leads the Fighting Irish is receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He is part of the Irish Athletes for Christ student organization, as well as the NASA Challenge, Robotics, Mu Alpha Theta, and the National Honor Society. Zach hopes to play football in college and plans to study math science or engineering.

HALL OF FAME

Chris Hamad

Archbishop Hoban

Chris wore #26 for the Knights and played Corner Back and Running Back. Chris and his brothers, along with their father played for the Knights on the gridiron. Chris continues to support the program organizing the Football Golf Outing, contributes every week to Hoban’s pregame meal and attends almost every football game.Chris epitomizes what it means to be a Hoban Knight and the Hoban community is proud to call him one of their own.

Vince Lockett

St. Vincent St. Mary

Lockett played in the Akron Holy War each of his four years with three starts. He was selected as a captain in 2014 and led the Fighting Irish to a comeback, triple overtime victory. He ran for 145 yards on 23 carries and scored the game winning touchdown. He currently plays at the University of Akron and was named Academic All- MAC in 2016. Accepting the award on behalf of Vincent is St Vincent – St. Mary Athletic Director, Willie McGee.

GAME SUMMARY

Hoban never trailed on its way to its fifth straight victory over rival St. Vincent St. Mary in a 21-7 win at the University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium. Both teams entered Friday’s matchup ranked in the top 10 in Cleveland.com Top 25 Poll. Tyris Dickerson’s 193 yards on the ground and pair of touchdowns helped seal the win for Hoban. St. Vincent – St. Mary’s lone touchdown came 35 seconds before the break on a 32 yard touchdown reception from Zach Olson who was honored as the Scholar Athlete prior to the game.