Preview: Moeller at St. Xavier
- Updated: September 13, 2022
As the first half of the regular season comes to a close, it’s only appropriate that the Blitz 5 Game of the Week stops at St. Xavier for the Greater Catholic League South opener that has unbeaten Moeller wading in hostile waters.
The visiting Crusaders have been dominant from the start in 2022. They are 8-1 in their last nine games dating back to the beginning of last year’s playoffs. League play has been a completely different story for Moeller who is a combined 1-8 the past three campaigns against its GCL South rivals.
St. Xavier has won the last two conference titles and hasn’t lost to a GCL South team since October 18th, 2019. The Bombers have no intentions on relinquishing their rule.
#2 MOELLER CRUSADERS (4-0) at #6 ST. XAVIER BOMBERS (2-2)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., September 16th
RDI Stadium, Tom Ballaban Field
Follow on Twitter: @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Juniors QB Jack O’Malley and RB Steven Napier have made their presence felt during St. Xavier’s modest two-game winning streak. O’Malley has amassed 905 yards of total offense (863 pass, 42 rush) and accounted for 10 touchdowns (eight pass, two run). His classmates WR Jack McClatchey and WR Andrew Weber have combined for 20 receptions for 291 yards and a pair of scores. Napier has 211 of his 309 yards rushing the past two weeks.
The Bombers defense is led by seniors LB Alex Devine, LB Max Bonner, DB Robert Houston II and DB Nolan Myers. Houston II has a pair of pick-sixes and Myers has one. Juniors LB Noah Beck and DL Ted Hammond have shown moments of domination. Beck leads the squad with two-and-a-half sacks and four-and-a-half tackles for losses.
Moeller junior RB Jordan Marshall has been one of the state’s best players through four games. He has 598 yards rushing, nine receptions for 136 yards and 13 touchdowns (10 rush, three rec). Classmate QB Luke Dunn leads the GCL South with 888 yards passing and 11 touchdown tosses. He only has one interception. Senior WR Tennel Bryant is a big-time playmaker. Bryant has 25 receptions for 403 yards and four touchdowns.
Seniors LB Joe Ginnetti, DB Matthew Seliga, DB Conlan Daniel and DL Brandon Martin have stepped it up for the Crusaders defense. Daniel has a league high three interceptions. Ginnetti, Seliga and Martin are Moeller’s top three tacklers and have combined for five of the team’s seven sacks and 8.5 of the Crusaders’ 18.0 tackles for losses.
TEAM TRENDS: Moeller has 22 offensive touchdowns (11 pass, 11 rush). Nine of those have been 46-yards or more (six pass, three rush). Six of the Crusaders final nine contests in 2021 were decided by seven points or less. Big Moe went 4-2 in those affairs. Moeller is 4-0 this season in games decided by eight points or more.
Eleven players have found the end zone (15 total TDs) for St. Xavier. No Bomber has more than two touchdowns. St. Xavier is looking for its 13th straight playoff berth. The Bombers have won 10 games in each of the past two seasons. Under Steve Specht, St. Xavier has chalked up 10 victories or more 10 times in his 18 years at the helm.
HEAD COACHES:
Moeller: Mark Elder (18-10 at Moeller, third year; 18-10 overall)
St. Xavier: Steve Specht (166-63 at St. Xavier, 19th year; 166-63 overall)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Moeller (37 appearances, 54-28 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.
St. Xavier (28 appearances, 54-24 overall) – 2021, 2020 (State Champion), 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 (State Champion), 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 (Regional Champions), 2010, 2009, 2007 (State Champion), 2006, 2005 (State Champion), 2004, 2002, 2001 (State Runner-up), 2000, 1999, 1998 (State Runner-up), 1997, 1994, 1993, 1992 (State Runner-up), 1987, 1981.
MOELLER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Take care of the football especially when running it. The more the merrier in joining the party on offense. Get as many skill players involved as possible. Make it difficult for St. Xavier to zero in on Marshall.
ST. XAVIER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: If the Bombers defense continues progressing like it has the past two weeks, they will be in this game until the finish. St. Xavier must limit the big plays. Keep everything in front and make Moeller earn their points playing in a more compacted space.
Prediction: Moeller 28, St. Xavier 21
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