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Ponatoski powers Moeller in shootout

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The GCL South begun play and it started with a great one as top-ranked Moeller traveled to #4 St. Xavier in the Blitz 5 Game of the Week.

Our Blitz 5 Game of the Week landed on North Bend Road for one of the all-time best rivalries in the area. The Moeller Crusaders visited the St. Xavier Bombers as both teams sought to avoid a second loss through five weeks and more importantly take a solid step toward a GCL South crown.

Moeller had won four straight in the series coming into Friday night and coming off their first loss of the season last week, they needed to make it five. St. Xavier was riding a three-game win streak and were seeking to keep their momentum going by claiming a big conference win in front of a sellout crowd. On a perfect night for football it was Moeller who came away with a major road win.

The Bombers came out swinging in front of their home fans and got the crowd all pumped up when quarterback Chase Herbstreit took the opening snap 80 yards for a rushing touchdown. Owen Davidson added the extra point and RDI stadium was in a frenzy. Moeller quarterback Matt Ponatoski however did not blink. He began to lead the Crusaders to a big first quarter. Ponatoski threw four touchdown passes in the quarter as he repeatedly found open receivers. He threw touchdown passes to Tyler Joselyn, Roman Mason, and twice to Matthew Fogler as the Crusaders led 28-7 after a quarter of play.

The second quarter was owned by the Bombers as they picked themselves off of the mat and made a game of it in the second frame. Daniel Vollmer rushed for a score and Chase Herbstreit found Cameron Taylor for a 45-yard score. Owen Davidson added a field goal for a 17-point quarter as they cut the lead to 28-24. Moeller would answer to end the quarter as Ponatoski once again found an open receiver in the endzone, this time Jovan Love for a 21-yard score and a 35-24 halftime lead.

The Crusaders started the second half with a long grueling drive that paid off with another Ponatoski to Love touchdown that once again stretched the lead, but the Bombers would make one final push in the final quarter. Jacob Britt and Daniel Vollmer scored rushing touchdowns in the fourth. St. Xavier quarterback Chase Herbstreit made a number of plays with his arm and legs and was a warrior all game long for the Bombers. He repeatedly stood in the pocket to deliver passes while being hit and made a living rushing the ball for first downs and extending plays for his squad but in the end, it wasn’t enough to climb all the way back.

In the end, the Crusaders had too much in the tank as they battled through the tough conference test. Ponatoski bounced back from an uncharacteristic game last week to lead his team to victory. He tied a program record with six touchdown passes in a single game. Tyler Joselyn rushed for 99 yards for Moeller. Chase Herbstreit rushed for 174 yards in the loss for the Bombers. Moeller moved to 4-1 on the season and the Bombers fell to 3-2. Both teams return to conference action next week.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW

SCORING BY QUARTERS
Moeller 28-7-7-3-45
St. Xavier 7-17-6-7-37

SCORING PLAYS
S: Chase Herbstreit 80-yard rush (Owen Davidson kick)
M: Tyler Joselyn 16-yard rec from Matt Ponatoski (Jack Malabar kick)
M: Matthew Fogler 19-yard rec from Ponatoski (Malabar kick)
M: Roman Mason 37-yard rec from Ponatoski (Malabar kick)
M: Matthew Fogler 52-yard rec from Ponatoski (Malabar kick)
S: Daniel Vollmer 12-yard rush (Davidson kick)
S: Cameron Taylor 45-yard rec from Herbstreit (Davidson kick)
S: Owen Davidson yard field goal
M: Jovan Love 21-yard rec from Ponatoski (Malabar kick)
M: Jovan Love 4-yard rec from Ponatoski (Malabar kick)
S: Jacob Britt 3-yard rush (try failed)
S: Daniel Vollmer 6-yard rush (Davidson kick)
M: Jack Malabar 22-yard field goal

RECORDS: Moeller (4-1, 1-0); St. Xavier (3-2; 0-1)

UP NEXT: Moeller at La Salle; St. Xavier at Elder

Get the complete scores from all of tonight’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.

*Stay updated on high school football updates by following @TSFootball on X.

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