AKRON, Ohio — The 2021 high school football season in Ohio is reaching the end zone.
Archbishop Hoban is set to face Winton Woods at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton for the Division II high school football championship.
The stadium has become a home away from home for the Hoban Knights, who are hoping to hold onto the championship title. Thursday night’s game marks Hoban’s sixth state finals appearance in seven years.
At the team’s practice Wednesday night, senior Keshawn Haynes said no matter what happens on the field, they’re still family.
“I try to keep it lighthearted all the time, cause I’m really just having fun out here,” he said.
As a senior on the offensive line, a win would bring him his third championship ring.
“We had a hiatus my sophomore year,” he said. “Give everybody a chance.”
That unintended generosity turned out to be a life lesson for the left tackle.
“I’ve learned a lot of feelings about perseverance and understanding that life goes on even after a loss,” Haynes said.
He’s a leader on the field, who puts his 14 years of suiting up in the sport to good use. He said the game’s physicality attracted him to the gridiron.
“I like the controlled violence,” he said. “It’s the only game you can put your hands on somebody and not get in trouble.”
He said he’s ready to end his high school career the same way it started — as a state champion.
“I made this team my own, and this is my whole family,” he said. “So, we just understand that we have a job to do and we just want to complete it.”
Archbishop Hoban and Winton Woods kick off the Division II Ohio high school football finals at 7 p.m. Thursday.
