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2016 Snapshot: Moeller

Even power programs like Moeller can’t overcome the damage injuries can do during the course of a season. The Crusaders struggled for consistency in 2015. The team stumbled to a 5-5 finish and missed the playoffs for the first time after a run of 13 straight postseason appearances.

Moeller Head Coach John Rodenberg (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Moeller Head Coach John Rodenberg (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Unproven pedigree, Moeller is loaded with it. The roster is littered with players who have very successful brothers, fathers, grandfathers, uncles and cousins who have excelled as high school athletes and at levels beyond. Perhaps even more importantly they have been winners. Now the time has come for these youngsters to add to family legacies and Moeller folklore.

Depth and size will not be an issue for Head Coach John Rodenberg and his staff. Rodenberg will need his squad to be mentally tougher in order to close out games. Make no bones about it this is a talented team. Winning the physical battle is one thing, having composure in the eye of adversity is another but its what could make this team special.

Division I, Region 4
2015 RECORD: 5-5, 1-2 GCL South
COACH: John Rodenberg (67-23 @ Moeller, seven years, 148-102 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Jacob Gall, Sr, OL – The last remaining letter winner from the 2013 state championship team. The 6-foot-5, 295 pound Gall was named First Team All-GCL South as a junior. He has offers from Kent State, Eastern Kentucky and Indiana State.

Moeller RB Hunter Hughes (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Moeller RB Hunter Hughes (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Hunter Hughes, Sr, LB – Will move to linebacker after running for 1,171 yards, catching 17 passes and finding the end zone nine times over the past two seasons.

Samari Saddler, Sr, OL – The 6-foot-3, 295 pound Saddler was a First Team All-GCL South performer in ’15. He has offers from Miami (OH), Air Force, Army, Navy, Akron, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo, Kent State and Marshall.

Jeremy Meiser, Sr, DL – The Big Moe defense will look to Mieser and his motor to propel fervor during the game. The 6-foot-3, 270 pound lineman was a Second Team All-GCL South honoree a year ago. He has offers from Air Force, Ball State, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Kent, Navy, Nevada, Old Dominion, Western Kentucky, Harvard and Yale.

OTHER RETURNEES
Matt Dotson, Sr, TE – The free-spirited Dotson had either two or three receptions in each of Moeller’s last five games a year ago. He will be a big weapon in red zone situations. Dotson has verbally committed to Michigan State.

Zach Carpenter, So, OL – On his way to being something special, Carpenter became the first freshman lineman to letter since his teammate Gall did it in ’13. He picked up his first offer – Louisville this past offseason.

Aeneas Hawkins, Jr, DL – A star waiting to happen the affable Hawkins will be good in high school and even better in college. Without even earning a varsity letter yet the 6-foot-3, 265 pound Hawkins (son of former Bengal, Artrell) has offers that include Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Florida, Florida State, Iowa State, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Toledo.

Colin Thurman, Jr, RB – Swift and shifty, backfield starter, Thurman should have big season getting lost behind that massive offensive line.

Alex Coburn, Sr, OL – At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds Coburn is the runt of the o-line litter. He has offers from Butler, Davidson, Marist, Morehead State and Valparaiso.

Brenden Bates, Jr, TE – Next in the TE pipeline, Bates will be a big factor when Moeller is in a two tight end set. He has offers from Cincinnati and Kentucky.

Evan Ernst, Sr, QB – Number two on the depth chart at QB as a junior Ernst got a slight taste of varsity play before falling to injuries in Week 2. He will be the leader in the race for the starting job this fall.

Pete Lampert, Sr, QB – Number three on the depth chart a year ago, Lampert made the most of his opportunity when injuries thrust him into action. In his only varsity start Lampert went 6-8 passing for 111 yards with four touchdown tosses and a running score in the Crusaders win over Xenia.

NEWCOMERS
The-Moor Kelly, Sr, LB – Kelly wears #8 and looks very much like a former Crusader Shane Jones who also donned that same digit. If Kelly plays anything like his predecessor the coaching staff will be ecstatic.

Miles McBride, So, QB – Low on the Big Moe QB depth chart right now but once McBride gets his opportunity he is going to be hard to get out of the lineup.

Jaxson Hayes, Jr, WR – From a football family, Hayes has a tremendous upside with his 6-foot-6, 175 pound frame. Once he adds some strength and in-game experience the sky will be the limit.

Jack McCracken, Jr, WR – A big target, look for McCracken to be a reliable option to move the chains on third downs.

RJ Khayo, So, slot – You might not him yeat but by the end of the year Khayo will have everyone’s attention.

Michael Mock, Sr, WR/DB – Could fill the void left by Kyle Butz and that would be a major plus for the Crusaders.

Moeller DL Jeremy Meiser (photo bu Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Moeller DL Jeremy Meiser (photo bu Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(33 appearances, 49-24 overall) – 2014, 2013 (state champions), 2012 (state champions), 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1997 (state runner-up), 1996, 1993 (state runner-up), 1990, 1989 (state runner-up), 1988, 1985 (state champions), 1984, 1983, 1982 (state champions), 1981 (state runner-up), 1980 (state champions), 1979 (state champions), 1977 (state champions), 1976 (state champions), 1975 (state champions), 1974, 1973

2016 SCHEDULE
It is a killer schedule for the Crusaders. Their opponents were a combined 86-27 (76.1%) (does not include Week 10 opponent – Royal Imperial from Canada) in ’15. Those teams were even better in the playoffs going a combined 19-5 (79.2%) with two state champions – La Salle and St. Edwards. Rounding out the non-conference games will be an opener at Nippert against Lakota West followed by roadies at State runner-up Wayne then to Mason. Those are just the first two of five straight away from home including a big test versus Don Bosco Prep (NJ) who is loaded with college talent.

TRISTATE FOOTBALL CINCINNATI DEFENSIVE POY’S
In the nine years that TriState Football has named a Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year, Moeller studs have walked away with the honor four times. Marcus Rush (Michigan State/ San Francisco) was the first to win the honor in ’09. Shane Jones (Michigan State) began a run of three straight Crusaders to bring home the award in ’12 followed by Sam Hubbard (Ohio State) and then Elijah Taylor (Notre Dame).

Gus Ragland is the only Moeller Player to be named TriState Football’s Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year back in ’13.

CRANKING UP THE CRUSADERS ON DEFENSE
Moeller finished last season winning three of its last four games but the defense was by no means stellar down the stretch. In that four game span the Crusaders allowed 38.25 points per contest. The offense averaged 42.75 points in those affairs.

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