They are on a mission at Moeller. The Crusaders have won four straight regional titles but a state championship has eluded the program during its current run of success. Getting to the top of the mountain won’t be easy for Big Moe. The first six games on the schedule are against teams that won at least 10 games in 2024 including battles with reigning state champions from Kentucky and Tennessee. Expect an experienced, battle-tested Moeller squad to be more than up for the challenges that lie ahead of them.
Division I, Region 4
2024 RECORD: 14-2, 3-0 GCL South; Division I State Runner-up
COACH: Bert Bathiany (24-7 at Moeller, two years; 34-10 overall, three years)
HONOR ROLL
Matt Ponatoski, Sr, QB – The reigning Ohio Mr. Football lit it up as a junior. Ponatoski threw for 4,187 yards and 57 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He also racked up OPSMA Division I First Team All-Ohio, GCL South Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-TriState Football and TSF Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year honors. Ponatoski, a University of Kentucky commit, has thrown for 7,614 and 86 touchdowns in his career.
Christian Harris, Sr, DL – The unequivocal leader of the Crusaders defense. The high motored Harris recorded 55 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for losses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups on his way to being named OPSMA Division I Honorable Mention All-Ohio, GCL South Defensive Lineman of the Year and Second Team All-TriState Football as a junior. He has verbally committed to Wake Forest.
Cooper McCutchan, Sr, TE – Arguably the best tight end in Ohio. McCutchan was named First Team All-GCL South after catching 35 balls for 569 balls and seven touchdowns as a junior. He has committed to North Carolina.
Conner Cuozzo, Sr, LB – One of the best players in the Class of 2026 that doesn’t have a FBS offer. Like Ponatoski, Cuozzo is a baseball standout. On the gridiron, he was a First Team All-GCL South performer as a junior. Cuozzo has 125 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, four pass breakups and an interception in his career.
Tyler Joselyn, Sr, RB – A tough, gritty player who was one of Moeller’s most pleasant surprises in 2024. Joselyn ran for 798 yards, had 14 receptions for 180 yards, 978 all-purpose yards and found the end zone 11 times (eight rush, three rec). He was named First Team All-GCL South for his efforts. Joselyn has an offer from Ohio Dominican.
Jack Mallabar, Jr, K – Was a model of consistency in his varsity debut. Mallabar was named First Team All-GCL South after connecting on 73/74 extra points and 3/4 field goals (long of 38-yards) for 82 points.
Sam Hamilton, Sr, TE – A red zone threat, Hamilton had 22 receptions for 272 yards and five touchdowns (four inside the 20-yard line) last fall. He was named Second Team All-GCL South for his work. Hamilton has committed to West Virginia.
Carson Khayo, Sr, WR/RS – A shifty target who is going to be an integral part of the offense and special teams. Khayo amassed 1,001 all-purpose yards, had 38 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdowns (three rec, one KR) as a junior. He was named Second Team All-GCL South (WR) for his efforts.
Greylo Coach, Jr, RB – Came on strong the second half of the regular season in 2024. Coach had runs of 20 yards or more in four straight games down the stretch. He finished with 339 yards and four touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-GCL South honors. Coach has an offer from Miami (OH).
Marino Middleton, Jr, DB – A rising star who is on the cusp of starting to pick up FBS offers. Middleton was in on 19 tackles with a sack, 2.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six pass breakups and an interception as a sophomore. He earned Second Team All-GCL South accolades.
OTHER RETURNEES
Landen Adams, Sr, WR – One of three returning receivers that had at least 30 receptions in 2024. Adams finished with 30 receptions for 375 yards and seven touchdowns (six rec, one KR). He had 10 games with at least two catches and career highs of four receptions, 61 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs against Lakota East.
NEWCOMERS
Moeller has two of Ohio’s top rated Class of 2027 offensive linemen in juniors Patrick O’Brien (6-6/280) and Kalel Johnson (6-8/293), a transfer from Taft. O’Brien has offers that include Kentucky, Kent State, Liberty, Miami (OH), Pitt, Western Michigan and West Virginia. Johnson holds offers from Akron, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio State, Pitt, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Western Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Sophomores WR Dean Schnitzler (6-5/190) and DL Julian Dwyer (6-4/220) have picked up an offer from Miami (OH). Schnitzler also has an offer from Purdue.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(40 appearances, 67-31 overall) – 2024 (State Runner-up), 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
2025 SCHEDULE
Sa – 08/23/25 – PRINCETON (10-3 in 2024) – 4:00 PM*
Sa – 08/30/25 – vs. Mount Carmel (IL)(11-3) – 1:00 PM**
Fri – 09/05/25 – TRINTY (KY)(13-2) – 7:00 PM***
Fri – 09/12/25 – at Christ Presbyterian Academy (TN)(14-0) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – ST. XAVIER (10-4) – 7:00 PM*
Fri – 09/26/25 – LA SALLE (11-3) – 7:00 PM***
Fri – 10/03/25 – at Elder (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – ST. IGNATIUS (1-10) – 7:00 PM***
Sa – 10/18/25 – at St. Edward (9-6) – 3:00 PM
Sa – 10/25/25 – MUSKEGON (MI)(3-5) – 3:00 PM*
*At West Clermont High School
**At Ironton High School
***At Mount St. Joseph University
