Box Score

This past Friday night at Mason Atrium Stadium was truly special. Our Moeller Crusaders escaped with a 21-17 hard fought victory over #3 Lakota West.

The win marked four straight victories over a GMC opponent, finishing the season 5-0 against the conference. Moeller defeated Lakota East in the first game of the season and followed that up by beating the other three top teams in the conference: Fairfield, Princeton, and Lakota West. 

This win for Moeller not only earned them a Regional Championship trophy, but it also punched their ticket to their first Final Four appearance since 2014.

The Crusaders fell to Huber Heights Wayne in the 2014 Final Four, now the Crusaders have the chance at redemption and their first state title since 2013.

It took a total team effort to fend of the Firebirds and reach this huge landmark for the football program.

Many thought the Crusaders would have a difficult time moving the football against a stingy and very talented Firebird's defense. This proved to be true early in the game after a couple Crusader punts. However, a key Lakota West turnover would set Moeller up 1^st and goal late in the first quarter.

Sophomore running back Jordan Marshall was able to cash in the turnover and give the Crusaders a 7-0 lead. Lakota West looked a little shocked after the early Moeller touchdown. The Firebirds had spent very little time playing from behind this season.

The Firebirds were able to respond with a field goal early in the 2^nd quarter; however, the Moeller offense began to get a beat on the Firebirds defense. Noah Geselbracht, Jordan Marshall, and the Big Moe offense started to click in the 2^nd quarter, right before the half.

Moeller responded with a clinical 10 play, 80-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a beautiful throw from Geselbracht to senior wide out Jared Merk.  

The Crusaders now found themselves up 14-3 with 6 minutes to play until halftime. Lakota West answered right before halftime with 37-yard post route to Kentucky commit Alex Afari, which made the score 14-9 after the missed PAT.

This marked the first time all season that Lakota West trailed at the half. The Moeller defense did a great job in the first half making the Firebirds one dimensional. Reminder-St. Xavier scored only two points all game against the Firebirds, the Crusaders had 14 at the break.

Besides a few big plays, this Firebird's offense was held in check until late in the 3^rd quarter.

With 2:54 left in the 3^rd, Lakota West scored to take a 17-14 lead. This came off a long 12 play, 83-yard touchdown drive that took almost seven minutes off the game clock.

Before this drive Joseph Ginnetti, Jackson Garrett, and the Moeller defense were winning the battle up front; however, on this drive the Firebirds were able to impose their will. The Crusaders found themselves trailing by three to start the 4^th quarter.

If there is one thing we know about this team, it's that they do not panic. The boys kept their composure through three straight overtime games this season. So, trailing to start the 4^th is not something that was going to cause panic for the Moeller players or coaches.

To start the 4^th quarter Moeller put together a 12 play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took about four minutes off the clock. It was capped off by Jordan Marshall again for his second touchdown of the game, one rushing and one receiving.

Marshall was the most dominant player on the field Friday night. The sophomore running back carried the ball 19 times for 125 yards and caught three balls for 17 yards. The University of Cincinnati took notice after the remarkable performance from Marshall. The Moeller tailback was offered by the Bearcats a few days later.

Lakota West would get a chance with the football late in the game. On 4^th down quarterback Mitch Bolden took one final shot at the endzone, but it fell incomplete. The Firebirds late rally stalled, and Moeller did just enough to escape Atrium Stadium with a huge win.

The scene after the game was one this Moeller family will not forget for some time. Moeller Football is officially back and this time we put not only the city, but the rest of the state on notice.

The Crusaders will now turn their attention to Springfield High School and a chance at State.

Moeller travels to Sidney, OH Friday night to battle the Springfield Wildcats at Sidney Memorial Stadium, kickoff will be at 7PM

MOELLER FAMILY, we need you to come out and show out Friday night. Help our Moeller Crusaders advance for a chance at State Title #10 

#LetsGoBigMoe #KeepGoing #WeWantState