CANTON, Ohio — While Hoban’s Lamar Sperling had one of the greatest performances in Ohio High School Athletic Association state championship history, it was Toledo Central Catholic that won the Division II title on Thursday night, 28-21.

What You Need To Know

  • Toledo Central Catholic beat Akron Archbishop Hoban 28-21 for the Div. 2 title Thursday night

  • It's the fourth state championship for Toledo Central

  • Hoban RB Lamar Sperling had 40 carries for 356 yards and 3 TDs in a losing effort

  • Toledo Central won 15 straight games after losing the season opener

The Fighting Irish won the school’s fourth state championship, joining the 2014, 2012 and 2005 squads in reaching the ultimate prize.

Central Catholic shocked the Knights with a 21-0 lead in the second quarter, and still led 28-7 at the break.

In the second half, Ohio’s Mr. Football showed why he earned the award this year by taking over. Sperling wound up with 40 carries for 356 yards and three touchdowns, representing the third-highest single-game total in OHSAA state championship history.

For the season, Sperling finished with 3,867 yards and 58 touchdowns, both single-season OHSAA records.

Unforced errors were Hoban’s undoing, however. The Knights turned the ball over three times and were called for 12 penalties, several of which were untimely.

After the teams traded punts to open the game, Toledo Central went on a seven-play, 92-yard drive, setting the tempo. That yardage (92) was a lucky number, as Braden Awls returned an interception for a score to make it 21-0. The defensive back is committed to play at Toledo next season.

The Irish got 104 yards on the ground from Chris Edmonds and another 77 and two scores from quarterback Ty’Waun Clark.

Central Catholic closed the season with 15 straight wins, following a 23-20 loss to Division I finalist St. Edward in the season opener.

This year’s championship was a rematch of the 2015 Division III final, won by Hoban, 33-20.