CINCINNATI, Ohio – In a battle of the top two programs in the city, Archbishop Moeller was able to use a strong second half performance to come out on top of rival St. Xavier in another physical GCL South game, 30-13.
In their sixth-straight victory over the Bombers, Moeller utilized their high-powered offense to pull away from St. X in the second half, after both teams went into the locker room at halftime with the Crusaders up 17-13.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Moeller’s offense went right to work on the Bombers defense, driving 75 yards mostly featuring the running game, with both senior tailbacks Dante Ware and Tyler Joselyn churning out huge yards. Ware was able to cap off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to open the scoring.
St. X would not be denied however, as senior quarterback Jackson Frey was able to find his standout senior wide receiver Cam Taylor streaking wide open behind the Crusaders secondary for a 28-yard throw-and-catch to tie the game up at seven.
Despite the Moeller offense utilizing the run game for a majority of the first drive, star senior quarterback Matt Ponatowski was able to show off the arm that made him Ohio’s Mr. Football last year – as he threw a perfect fade pass to his junior slot receiver Reggie Watson to put Moeller back on top.
Blitz 5 Game of the Week: Moeller 30 St. X 13
Crusaders keep the bragging rights — for the 7th straight time — to one of the fiercest Friday Night rivalries pic.twitter.com/5kvcmxPCvh
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) September 20, 2025
To start the 2025 season, the Bombers defense had been one of the most feared in the tri-state, but the Crusaders sported no slouch on the defensive side of the ball either. In a contest that is so often dictated by who wins the turnover battle, it was Moeller who had the huge interception to turn the game on its head and flip the momentum in the Crusaders favor.
Sophomore defensive back Paxton Dodsworth was able to read Frey’s eyes and come up with the interception at Moeller’s own goal line in the second half.
From there, Ponatowski and the Crusaders offense was able to take over. After the turnover, Moeller drove a whopping 99-yards and capped it off with a Joselyn 5-yard touchdown run to the outside, putting them up two scores as the second half continued to tick away.
Frey and the Bombers offense had lost the edge they had found in the first half, as they were stymied for a majority of the third and fourth quarters; senior all-around athlete Daniel Vollmer’s leg was under heavy usage in the punting game.
Once the Crusaders were in complete control of the game, they were able to use their impressive running attack to churn clock and continue to add onto their lead, highlighted by three different field goals by junior Jack Mallibar.
When the game clock struck all zeroes, Moeller played an all-around impressive game to fully establish themselves as the team to beat in the GCL South conference once again.
Next week, Moeller hosts LaSalle (3-1, 0-1) at Mount Saint Joseph University, while St. X will look to rebound as they host Elder (5-0, 1-0).
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Moeller: 7-10-7-6-30
St. Xavier: 7-6-0-0-13
SCORING PLAYS
M: Dante Ware 9 yard rush (Jack Mallabar kick)
S: Cam Taylor 28 catch from Jackson Frey (Owen Davidson kick)
M: Reggie Watson 18 catch from Matt Ponatowski (Mallabar kick)
S: Jake Britt 10 catch from Jackson Frey (Davidson kick failed)
M: Mallabar 50 field goal
M: Tyler Joselyn 5 yard rush (Mallabar kick)
M: Mallabar 37 field goal
M: Mallabar 42 field goal
RECORDS: St. Xavier (4-1, 0-1 GCL South); Moeller (4-1, 1-0)
UP NEXT: St. Xavier vs. Elder; Moeller vs. La Salle
Get the complete scores from all of this week’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.
*Stay updated on high school football updates by following @TSFootball on X.
