2024 Video Snapshot: Moeller

By Greg Shoemaker
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Updated: July 25, 2024

The post Jordan Marshall era begins at Moeller and the Crusaders may be even better without the reigning Ohio Mr. Football. It will be a huge challenge considering that Big Moe has won the last three Division I Region 4 titles before falling to Springfield in the state semifinals in each of those campaigns. If anyone can live up to those lofty expectations this very deep 2024 squad is more than capable of doing so.

You can bank on battle-tested Moeller being ready for whatever the face in the playoffs after playing a grueling regular season schedule in which the Crusaders will play seven road games and in 10 different venues. These guys are going to be tough as nails when Week 11 comes around.

Division I, Region 4
2023 RECORD: 10-5, 3-0 GCL South
COACH: Bert Bathiany (10-5 at Moeller, second year; 20-8 overall, two years)

HONOR ROLL
Matt Ponatoski, Jr, QB – Very few in Cincinnati can sling it like Ponatoski. He set the school record with 3,334 yards passing with 29 touchdown passes last fall. He was named Third Team All-Ohio for his efforts. Ponatoski hold five dual offers for football and baseball.

Jovan Love, Sr, WR – A real home run hitter and the Crusaders top receiver in 2023. Love caught 44 balls for 941 yards (21.4/rec) and nine touchdowns to earn OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio honors. Has offers from Army and Navy.

Roman Mason, Sr, WR – Not to be overshadowed by what classmate Love did in 2023, Mason was just as impressive. He caught 42 balls for 646 yards and nine touchdowns on his way to First Team All-GCL South accolades. Mason has an offer from Gardner-Webb.

Moeller WR Roman Mason (photo by Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotionBySandy)

Thomas Gerke, Sr, DL – Became a huge factor for Big Moe down the stretch and through the playoffs last season. Gerke finished with 41 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks and 12.0 tackles for losses on his way to First Team All-GCL South. He has offers from Ashland and Colgate.

Marty Adkins, Sr, OL – Helped open the holes for a potent offense that found the end zone 59 times (32 pass, 27 rush) a year ago. Adkins was named Second Team All-GCL South for his work.

Mateo Armenta, Sr, OL – One of the biggest Moeller o-linemen at 6-foot-2 and 320-pounds, Armenta can clear out some space. He was a Second Team All-GCL South selection in 2023.

Titus Land, Sr, OL – A two-year starter and one of the anchors of the o-line. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Land was named Second Team All-GCL South last fall.

Luke Stuerenberg, Sr, DL – An integral part of the d-line. Stuerenberg is coming off a Second Team All-GCL South performance as a junior. He has recorded 49 total tackles and four sacks in a Crusaders uniform.

Conner Cuozzo, Jr, LB – One of those rare athletes who is at the top of whatever sport he plays. Cuozzo who is also the reigning GCL South Player of the Year in baseball recorded 64 total tackles, had two-and-a-half sacks, eight-and-a-half tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and an interception to earn Second Team All-GCL South as a sophomore. He picked up his first offer in football from Bucknell.

Christian Harris, Jr, DL – Teams with Gerke and Stuerenberg to give Moeller one of the best and most experienced interior d-lines in the state. Harris was named Second Team All-GCL South after getting in on 26 total tackles with one-and-a-half sacks and a forced fumble as a sophomore.

Micah Rice, Sr, DB – An excellent closer in the secondary because of his speed. Rice was named First Team All-GCL South after registering 55 total tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions as a junior. He has committed to Louisville.

OTHER RETURNEES
Ollie Hamre, Sr, OL – A returning starter who helped protect signal-callers in a passing attack that threw for 3,493 yards last season.

Griff Daley, Sr, S – Made quite the splash in his varsity debut in 2023. Daley recorded 58 total tackles and had two interceptions.

Lincoln Murphy, Sr, TE/DB – A tall defensive back who has little trouble in coverage. Murphy was in on 19 total tackles, had three pass breakups and two interceptions as a junior.

Moeller DB Lincoln Murphy (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/ X: @InMotionBySandy)

Chuck Powell, Sr, OL – A returning starter on the o-line. Powell helped open holes for an offensive that amassed 5,579 yards of total offense, a year ago.

Matt Fogler, Sr, WR – An unsung option for the Crusaders offense. Fogler had 28 receptions for 460 yards and three touchdowns in 2023. He has committed to Colgate in the Ivy League.

Jonah Hayes, Sr, DE – The 6-foot-6, 215-pound end rusher is just beginning to tap into his talents. Hayes had 14 total tackles as a junior despite playing through injuries. He has verbally committed to Northwestern.

NEWCOMERS
Juniors TE Sam Hamilton, TE Cooper McCutchan and WR Landon Adams bulk up the receiving core. Senior transfer OL/DL Camden Pawlick from Saline (MI) gives the Crusaders even more beef in the trenches. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound McCutchan has become a hot commodity this offseason boasting offers from Ball State, Boston College, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kent State, UMass, Minnesota, Pitt, Purdue, Texas A&M, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Virginia and West Virginia. Hamilton’s offers include Kent State, Kentucky, Miami (OH) and Toledo.

Moeller TE Sam Hamilton (photo by Sandy Mahoney/X: @InMotionBy Sandy)

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(39 appearances, 62-30 overall) – 2023 (Regional Champion), 2022 (Regional Champion), 2021 (Regional Champion), 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

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – at Princeton (12-1 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – at Bishop Dwenger (IN) (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – EAST CENTRAL (IN)(15-0) – 7:00 PM @ Mount St. Joseph Univ.
Sa – 09/14/24 – at Benedictine Academy (GA) (13-1) – 1:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – at St. Xavier (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – at La Salle (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – ELDER (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at St. Ignatius (3-9) – 7:00 PM
Sa – 10/19/24 – St. Edward (15-1) – 3:00 PM
Sa – 10/26/24 – at Muskegon (MI) (12-2) – 4:00 PM

2024 Active Leaders: GCL