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Preview: Moeller vs. Lakota West

Lakota West defensive backs Jyaire Brown (1) and Alex Afari (2) (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFotball.com)

It’s championship time and the Blitz 5 Game of the Week looks like it is going to be something special. When the season started no one expected Moeller would be in this position to win the Division I, Region 4 title. The Crusaders fought their way through a difficult regular season to earn the top seed in the playoffs.

Lakota West has different motivations for coming away victorious in this affair. The Firebirds lost in the last seconds of the regional finals a year ago to St. Xavier. Avenging that loss to the Bombers last Friday gets Lakota West one step closer to elevating the program to a level it has never seen before.

NO. 3 LAKOTA WEST FIREBIRDS (11-1) AT NO. 1 MOELLER CRUSADERS (10-3)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 19th
Atrium Stadium, Dwire Field
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Lakota West secondary is one of the best in the state. The Firebirds have given up just three touchdown passes with 17 interceptions. They are allowing 78.3 yards on 16.0 pass attempts per game through the air with opposing quarterbacks completing a mere 44.6 percent of their passes. 

Heading up the defensive backfield is senior cornerback and Ohio State commit Jyaire Brown. Brown was named the 2021 GMC Defensive Player of the Year. Classmate Alex Afari is committed to Kentucky and a real rover in the Lakota West defense. Junior Malik Hartford is a rising star whose offers include Cincinnati, Duke, Illinois, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, West Virginia and Vanderbilt. Hartford’s classmate Joshua Fussell has capitalized on teams throwing his way with a team high six interceptions. The front seven isn’t shabby either allowing just 102.0 yards rushing and 3.1 yards per carry per contest. They are anchored by Bryan Henderson and Aiden Miller.

The Moeller offense has so many options that can do damage. Quarterback Noah Geselbracht has thrown for 2,783 yards with two or more touchdown tosses in 10 of his 11 starts (29 total PaTDs). Tennel “Touchdown” Bryant has found the end zone 18 times (19 games) on 100 career catches (15 ReTDs this season). Like Bryant, sophomore Jordan Marshall has hit paydirt 17 times in 2021 (11 rush, six rec). On defense, the Crusaders love to bring pressure. They have 25.5 sacks which has led to 27 takeaways (15 FRs by 14 different players, 12 INTs). Joseph Ginnetti has been rock-solid with a team high 96 total tackle, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Chase Brown (6.0), Brandon Martin (4.5) and Ethan Coe (4.0) have combined for 14.5 sacks.

TEAM TRENDS: Since giving up 31 points in the season opening loss at St. Xavier, Lakota West has not allowed more than 17 points in a contest. They are allowing just 8.6 points per outing during their current 11-game winning streak. The Firebirds have only allowed 10 offensive touchdowns (eight rush, two pass) in that span.

Moeller is looking for its fifth win in the last 10 weeks versus a team that has won at least 10 games this season. The Crusaders have put up 28 points or more in each of their last eight games.

HEAD COACHES:
Lakota West: Tom Bolden (26-6 at Lakota West, third year; 159-27 overall, 16th year)

Moeller: Mark Elder (13-9 at Moeller, second year; 13-9 overall) 

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Lakota West (eighth appearance, 8-7) – 2021, 2020, 2019, 2014, 2013, 2009, 2006, 2004

Moeller (37th appearance, 53-27 overall) – 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2013 (State Champion), 2012 (State Champion), 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 Champion), 1984, 1983, 1982 (State Champion), 1981 (State Runner-up), 1980 (State Champion), 1979 (State Champion), 1977 (State Champion), 1976 (State Champion), 1975 (State Champion), 1974, 1973

LAKOTA WEST’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Avoid an emotional let down after last week’s big win over St. Xavier. Senior and veteran leadership need to make sure that hangover doesn’t manifest itself, especially if Moeller gets on top early. The defense sets the tone and there is no reason for that to stop happening.

MOELLER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Deliver the first blow and make the Firebirds’ defense play back on their heels. The Crusaders need to take advantage of their speed at receiver. Use some misdirection to keep the defense honest. Exploit one-on-one matchups against the Lakota West secondary on the outside by giving Geselbracht multiple options to throw to. 

Prediction: Lakota West 20, Moeller 10 

 

 

 

 

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