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Ponatoski pushes Moeller past Princeton

MASON, Ohio – Mason Middle School played host as Moeller and Princeton renewed their rivalry in the postseason as has happened many years in history. The Vikings and Crusaders also clashed for the second time this season as Moeller cruised to victory in week one. History was once again in a repeating mood as Matt Ponatoski threw 4 touchdown passes to push Moeller to a 28-10 win and another regional final appearance. 

 

Princeton got things started by capturing the early momentum. The Vikings defense came out with intense desire and stopped the Crusaders on a fourth down try on their first drive. Princeton got the ball on a short field as their offense went to work. De’Angelo Birch looked to his favorite target Landon Miree on the series. Miree caught three balls on the drive including a 21-yard touchdown pass and Princeton took the early lead with 7:25 left in the first quarter.

 

Moeller took to the air on their second drive and put things on the arm of junior quarterback Matt Ponatoski. Ponatoski was able to spread things around to lead the Crusaders on a long drive that was capped off as he found Jovan Love on a 1-yd touchdown pass to tie the game late in the first quarter. Moeller’s drive consisted of 11 plays for 78 yards as the momentum swung back to the top-seeded Crusaders. It was the Moeller defense who had a chance to make a play, and they did when De’Angelo Birch threw into double coverage and was intercepted. The quarter would end with the game tied 7-7.

 

Moeller drove 79 yards on 14 plays on their next drive and appeared to score when Jovan Love caught another touchdown pass. A penalty negated the TD and Tyler Joselyn lost a fumble on the next play that Greg Williams recovered for the Vikings. Princeton took over on their own 8-yd line, but the Vikings were held to a three and out and were forced to punt from their own endzone. Both teams would exchange punts, and Moeller would get the ball late in the half for a two-minute drill. Ponatoski led the two-minute drill with precision as the Crusaders methodically drove down the field. Moeller converted a fourth down on the drive and Ponatoski connected with Matthew Fogler for a short touchdown pass with just 25 seconds remaining in the half to give Moeller the lead for the first time on the night. The touchdown capped a 15 play, 76-yard drive. 

 

Moeller led 14-7 at the half. They outgained the Vikings 260 to 72 in the first half and held the ball for 17 minutes (49 plays) to the Vikings 6 minutes (16 plays). 

POSTGAME INTERVIEW: Bert Bathiany, Moeller

Princeton received the second half kick and made an impressive drive down the field deep into Moeller territory. A holding call stopped momentum, and the Vikings got a Cole Kimble field goal out of the drive. Moeller went back on the offensive on their first possession of the half. Ponatoski went back to the air and found several receivers on the quick drive. He would find Tyler Joselyn for his third TD pass of the night and Moeller took command. The Vikings would fumble the ensuing kickoff, and the Crusaders recovered at the Princeton 30-yd line. Tyler Joselyn took the next handoff 24 yards for a first and goal. 

 

The Vikings defense would hold on four downs inside the five-yard line and get the ball back after a goaline stand. Unfortunately, the Vikings would not be able to produce any more points on the night although they had some good drives in the fourth quarter. The Crusaders did not break in giving the Vikings touchdowns. Moeller would tack on another score as Pontoski found Fogler for a second time to produce the final margin.

 

Ponatoski continued his stellar play as he threw for 315 yards and four scores. The Crusaders rushed for 166 yards. Joselyn rushed for 154 of those yards on a big night. Landon Miree was a bright spot for the Princeton offense as he caught 8 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

 

SCORING BY QUARTERS

Princeton: 7-0-3-0-10

Moeller: 7-7-14-0-28

SCORING PLAYS

P: Landon Miree 21-yd rec from Deangelo Birch (Cole Kimble kick)

M: Jovan Love 1-yd rec from Matt Ponatoski (Jack Malabar kick)

M: Matthew Fogler 5-yd rec from Ponatoski (Malabar kick)

P: Cole Kimble 25-yd field goal

M: Tyler Joselyn -yd rec from Ponatoski 

(Malabar kick)

M: Matthew Fogler 1-yd rec from Ponatoski (Malabar kick)

 

RECORDS: Princeton (10-3); Moeller (12-1)

UP NEXT: OHSAA Division I, Region 4 Championship vs. St. Xavier

 

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