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Moeller edges St. Xavier

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Moeller visited RDI Stadium and St. Xavier to renew one of the nation’s premiere high school football rivalries. The Crusaders and Bombers are accustomed to big time games against one another and tonight’s 68th all-time matchup was no different.

Moeller, who had big wins over four high profile programs, continued that trend with a tough GCL-S road win over St. Xavier by a score of 20-17.

The first half was your typical GCL South slugfest. Both teams played a physical half and would not give an inch to their adversary. The Crusaders however did get off to a fast start as they took the opening kickoff and drove down the field in an efficient manner.

Moeller quarterback Luke Dunn capped off the drive with an 11-yd touchdown pass to Tennel Bryant. The extra point was blocked and Moeller had a 6-0 lead about half way through the first quarter. St. Xavier would go three and out and Moeller went on the offensive again with another solid drive. This time they would stall and miss a 25-yd field goal attempt.

The big stop charged up the Bombers and they went on a nice drive of their own. Jack O’Malley connected on a pair of passes and Jake Cengia converted a 36-yd field goal to cut the Moeller lead in half.

Moeller’s first play on their next drive was intercepted by the Bombers’ Nolan Ryan but St. Xavier went three and out and punted the ball away. Moeller went on another solid drive. Junior RB Jordan Marshall was a catalyst in the run game but again the Bomber defense stiffened. Moeller was forced to punt after not being able to convert a mid range third down attempt.

St. Xavier got the ball back to end the half. O’Malley connected with Jamaal Sharp on a couple of passes to aid the drive, including a 10-yard gain to the 1-yard line with just two seconds remaining in the half. O’Malley would take the QB sneak into the endzone as the first half expired. Cengia’s extra point made it a 10-6 Bomber lead at the half.

O’Malley was 12-14 for 98 yards passing in the half. He found Sharp five times for 61 of those yards. Steven Napier led the ground game with 76 yards rushing on 11 carries. For Moeller Marshall led the charge with 71 yards on the ground. Tennel Bryant caught two of the three completions for Luke Dunn with one being the 11-yard score.

The third quarter was even and filled with tough defense and big plays. The Bombers made a great drive that was aided by a long completion from O’Malley to Joey Wassler. St. Xavier got as close as the 2-yard line before the Crusaders got a big interception. Moeller went on the attack and converted a crucial fourth down around midfield to end the third quarter. The momentum would carry on into the early fourth as Moeller capped off the drive when Marshall took it in from two yards out. Orr converted on the extra point and Moeller held a 13-10 lead with 10:48 to go in the game.

St. Xavier would respond with a balanced attack. Napier started things with a huge run through the gut of the Moeller defense. Loosening the defense with the run, the Bombers would strike through the air when O’Malley found Sharp for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 7:50 to play. St. Xavier was clinging to a 17-13 lead.

Jordan Marshall looked to be the kryptonite for the Bombers as he started the drive with a pair of impressive runs. The St. Xavier defense responded and forced Moeller into a long fourth down attempt. Dunn found Marshall deep on a blown coverage for a 29-yard Crusader score and a 20-17 advantage with 5:00 minutes to play.

St. Xavier went back to work with O’Malley finding Sharp for a big reception but the Moeller defense would stiffen up and turn the Bombers over on downs to seal the victory.

SCORING BY QUARTERS
Moeller 6-0-0-14-20
St. Xavier 0-10-0-7-17

SCORING PLAYS
M: Tennel Bryant 11-yard rec TD from Luke Dunn (kick failed)
S: Jake Cengia 36-yard FG
S: Jack O’Malley 1-yard rush TD (Cengia kick)
M: Jordan Marshall 2-yard rush TD (Orri kick)
S. Jamaal Sharp 22-yard rec TD from O’Malley (Cengia kick)
M: Jordan Marshall 29-yard rec TD from Dun (Orr kick)

RECORDS: Moeller (5-0, 1-0 GCL-S); St. Xavier (2-3, 0-1 GCL-S)
UP NEXT: Moeller at La Salle; St. Xavier at Elder

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