Moeller edges St. Xavier
- Updated: November 3, 2023
The Blitz 5 Game of the Week featured a familiar matchup as #5 Moeller traveled to #4 St. Xavier for a second round battle. RDI Stadium was the scene for an intense GCL South rivalry game made even greater by what was at stake. Moeller looked to beat the Bombers for the second time this season and continue their quest for another state title game appearance. St. Xavier aimed to get back to glory after falling short the last couple of seasons. Friday night was surely a vintage battle.
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Moeller and St. Xavier have played in a plethora of intense gritty battles in their storied rivalry. Another installment was in store for the sold out crowd that packed RDI Stadium on Friday night. The visiting Crusaders and host Bombers turned in the type of performance that has become typical in GCL South. A physical game played in the trenches is what was expected and it was exactly what was provided by both teams. A winner had to be decided and in the end it was Moeller who came away with the hard fought win.
Both defensive units were up to the challenge in the first half. St. X won the toss and elected to receive in front of the home crowd.They moved the ball a bit and converted a 4th down conversion before turning the ball over on downs. Moeller’s offense showed promise early as well. Matt Ponatoski found Love on a long reception to jumpstart the drive but they too were turned away on downs late in the quarter.
There was not much offense for the majority of the first half. The two teams combined for four straight punts as both teams battled for field position. Neither offense could move the ball against stout defenses and both defenses seemed to get more and more confident as the half went on. Momentum seemed to shift late in the second quarter however. After the latest Moeller punt, the Bombers fumbled deep in their own territory and the Crusaders recovered just outside of the redzone.
A couple plays later, Moeller’s Jordan Marshall took the handoff and went 25 yards for a score but a holding call took the score off of the board. Brayden Reilly ended the drive for Moeller when he intercepted a Ponatoski pass. The Bombers once again had momentum and this time paid it off. Chase Herbstreit found Jake Britt on a wheel route out of the backfield for a 50-yard touchdown and a 7-0 late in the half.
With their backs against the wall late in the half, Moeller finally got a positive offensive drive. Marshall had some successful runs and Ponatoski found some rhythm in the passing game. In the end, the Crusaders were able to punch one in when Marshall plunged up the gut for a 2-yard score with seven seconds left in the half. The game was tied 7-7 at the half.
The second half was even more of a defensive battle. Both offenses struggled to do anything positive and punt after punt after punt happened essentially on every possession. The Moeller defense got a deciding interception that would be turned into a Devin Orr 23-yard field goal early on in the fourth quarter. This would prove to be the deciding points in the ball game as the Crusaders would hold on for a 10-7 road win.
Jordan Marshall rushed 23 times for 129 yards and a touchdown for Moeller. Ponatoski was 16/29 for 160 yards and Jovan Love had 8 receptions for 80 yards for the Crusaders.
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Moeller 0-7-0-3-10 St. Xavier 0-7-0-0-7
SCORING PLAYS
S: Jake Britt 50-yd rec from Chase Herbstreit (Jake Cengia kick)
M: Jordan Marshall 2-yd rush (Devin Orr kick)
M: Devin Orr 23-yd field goal
RECORDS: Moeller (8-4); St. Xavier (7-5)
UP NEXT: Moeller vs Mason
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