Moeller High School 2003-04 Football Articles

2003 ARCHBISHOP MOELLER VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM KING OF THE BLOCK REGIONAL SEMI-FINALIST

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Front Row (L to R): Jake Hoctor, Brad Albrecht, Steven Capehart, Grant Widmeyer, Trent Coletti, Brian Bailey, Martez Williams, Dannel Shepard, Justin Jordan, Patt Watt, Scott Ratterman, D.J Hlovchiec, Dan Meier, Joe Lynch, John Bunch, T.J. Catino, Patrick Grau.

Row 2: Ryan Box, Matt Harris, Mike Carter, Tyler Wehmann, Clint Brown, Mike Buckley, Chris Walsh, Nick Thomas, Drew Franz, Tony Durell, Matt Held, Derico Murray, Bill Cleary, David Starvaggi, Justin Porta, Craig Kirkhoff, Alex Jaeger, Tyler Dierkers, Paul Antenucci.

Row 3: Mike O'Keefe, Zach Smith, Matt Tennant, Mike Rummier, Kirk Weber, Brad Libis, Alex Urban, Brian Hoffer, Joe Farfsing, Joe Gates, Patrick Farrell, Kevin Humble, George Fraza, Tom Feld, Chris Reisert-, Chris Rohan, Ryan Lukens, Beau Goodhart, Mike Cronin, Blake Carter, Brian Crable.

Row 4: Ryan O'Keefe, B.J. Coad, Neil Wunder, Ben McGrath, Will Murray, Dan Barnes, Sean Redwine, Pat Redwine, Mark Druffel, Nick Welling, Dan Driscoll, Jim Hollenbeck, Ryan Kernodle, Rick Hagee, Jim Tull, Brandon Druffel, John Kushner, Rhan Trainor.

Row 5: Coaches Phil Gigliotti, Mark Doran, Tim Moorman, James O'Keefe, Joe Kinnett, J.B. Lind, Boris Smith, Bob Crable, Jack Crable, Tim Odom, Bob Tull Principai_ ............................................................................. Biane Collison Asst. Principal ....... ···········-·························-·········· Bro. John Habjan, SM Asst. Principal .. _.................................................................... Carl Kremer Asst. Principal ......................................................... Bro. Ron Luksic, SM Treasurer ····························-···················································Bill Balbach Athletic Director ................................................................. Barry Borman Athletic Office Manager ................................................... Carol Campbell Band Director·-·····-····························································· Bob Browning Equipment Manager·······················-······················ ....... Whitey Campbell Athletic Trainer ....................................................................Craig Lindsey Doctors .............................................................................. Steve Beerman ·······························································-······························Paul Kollman Orthopedic···-····································································· Tim Kremchek Chiropractor ...........................................................................Mike Rohlfs Announcer ..............................................................................Rick Crema Nickname .................................................................... Fighting Crusaders

Varsity Head Coach ................................................................Bob Crable Varsity Assistants .............................. Phil Gigliotti, Joe Kinnett, J.B. Lind ·······························-···············-Tim Moorman, Todd Naumann, Bob Odom ...................................... Tim Odom, Brett Schnieber, Bill Straub, Bob Tull JV Coaches ..... James O'keefe, Chris Majors, Boris Smith, Eric Thatcher Freshmen Coaches .................................... Bob Kolkmeyer, Ryan Cooper .................................. Dave Faller, Bob Fuller, Rich Goodhart, Ron Stump Administrative Assistants ................................. Mark Doran, Kim Hauck Managers .................................................... Dan Hopkins, Kyle lmbronyev ...................................... Jeremy Siderits, Matthew lmbronyev, Kyle Hauck Video Assistants ............................................. Paul Antenucci, Ryan Box ............................................... Mike Desmarais, Nick Thomas, Phil Yowler Statistician .............................................................................Dan O'keefe Clock Operator············································-····························· Ron Roth Cheerleader Moderator ........................................................... Debi Cass Colors .............................................................................. Blue-White-Gold

MHS MHS MHS MHS MHS MHS MHS MHS MHS MHS

6 17 27 52 10 28 20 42 17 42

MHS MHS

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SEASON RECORD Anderson Louisville St. Xavier East Central Sandusky Cincinnati St. Xavier LaSalle Elder Columbus St. Francis DeSales St. Edwards Princeton Playoff Huber Heights Wayne Colerain

20 31 14 20 9

16 21 3 13 13 10 30

FORTY -FIRST SENIOR CLASS M.H.S.

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2003 GR:.EAtE·R CATHOLIC LEAGUE ALL-STAR FOOTBALL TEAMS ALL·STAR OFFENSIVE PLAYERS - NORTH QB QB QB RB RB RB · WR WR WR WR WR WR DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

Scott Pump pie ............. Roger Bacon Aaron White ............. Purcell-Marian Zach Denton ............... McNicholas Jason Howard ................... Badin Matt Shafer ..................... Alter Javon Ringer ........ Chaminade-Julienne Dustin Woods ............ Purcell-Marian Zach Freshwater .................. Alter Matt Hagen ............... Roger Bacon Kevin Wilson ............... McNicholas Brandon Boehm ............. McNicholas Ryan Patrick ......... Chaminade-Julienne Kyle Davis ........... Chaminade-Julienne Chris Vermillion .................. Alter Kahlil El-Amin ............ Purcell-Marian Zach Thuney .................... Alter Mark Westrich ............. Roger Bacon Aaron Poppleton ........... Roger Bacon Jon Hufford .................... Badin Nic Pinger ................. McNicholas

NORTH ACADEMIC ALL-STARS Kenny Gannon ............. Alter Michael Schubert .......... Badin Mike Beall .... Chaminade-Julienne , R. J. Thomas ........ McNicholas Evan Dadosky ...... Purcell-Marian Paul Poppleton ...... Roger Bacon

ALL-STAR DEFENSIVE PLAYERS - NORTH

ALL·STAR OFFENSIVE PLAYERS - SOUTH QB QB RB WR WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL RB RB

Rob Florian ..................... Elder Anthony Kummer .............. La Salle Bradley Glatthaar ................. Elder Charlie Coffaro ................... Elder Mike Wiegele .................. La Salle Blake Carter ................... Moeller Scott Linz ................... St. Xavier Matt Winterhalter ............... La Salle Corey McKenna .................. Elder Eric Wood ...................... Elder Ryan Stanchek ................ La Salle Jake Silvati ................... La Salle Jimmy Tull .................... Moeller Zack Smith .................... Moeller Scott Rouse ................. St. Xavier Brad Ralph .................. St. Xavier Pat Lysaght ..................... Etder Elliot Walker ................. St. Xavier

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NORTH SPECIAL AWARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR ........ Javon Ringer- Chaminade-Julienne BEST OFFENSIVE BACK ....... : ......... Jason Howard - Badin BEST DEFENSIVE BACK ................... Mike Gorman- Alter BEST OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ......... Mark Westrick- Roger Bacon BEST QUARTER BACK ............... Zach Denton - McNicholas BEST RECEIVER ................ Dustin Woods- Purcell-Marian PLACE-KICKER OF THE YEAR .... Andy Grant- Chaminade-Julienne PUNTER OF THE YEAR ............... Kevin Huber- McNicholas COACH OF THE YEAR .................... Terry Malone - Badin

DL DL DL DL DL LB LB LB LB LB DB DB DB DB DB DB DB

Matt Ritter ................. McNicholas Rion Robinson ....... Chaminade-Julienne Anthony Cook ............ Purcell-Marian Pat Dougherty ................... Alter Charlie Roberts ............ Roger Bacon Alex Middendorf ................. Badin Charles Smith ........ Chaminade-Julienne Brandon Buschmeier ....... Purcell-Marian Nick Hess ....................... Alter Dan McManus ............. Roger Bacon Jo Jo Smith ......... Chaminade-Julienne Brandon Harrison ..... Chaminade-Julienne Mike Gorman .................... Alter Dan Reeves ..................... Alter Mike Huerkamp ............ Roger Bacon Tim Flammer ............... McNicholas Matt Daudistel .................. Badin

SOUTH ACADEMIC ALL·STARS Charlie Coffaro ............ Elder Brian White ............. La Salle Zack Smith ............. Moeller Kyle Karches .......... St. Xavier

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ALL-STAR DEFENSIVE PLAYERS - SOUTH DL DL DL DL DL DL LB LB LB LB LB DB DB DB DB DB DB DB

Tony Stegeman .................. Elder Mike Buckley .................. Moeller Nick Dooros .................. La Salle Michael Combest ............. St. Xavier Alex Harbin ..................... Elder Mike Zielasko .................... Elder Beau Goodhart ................. Moeller Brad Scheidt ................. St. Xavier J. T. Imming ................. St. Xavier Michael Brown ................... Elder Ryan Lukens .................. Moeller Drew Metz ...................... Elder David Starvaggi ................ Moeller Ben Johnson .................. La Salle Steve Uphaus ................ St. Xavier John Tiemeier .......... ~ ........ Elder Bobby Mahoney .............. St. Xavier Derico Murray ................. Moeller

SOUTH SPECIAL AWARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR ..................... Rob Florian - Elder BEST OFFENSIVE BACK ................ Bradley Glatthaar- Elder BEST DEFENSIVE BACK ............... Brad Scheidt- St. Xavier BEST OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ............ Ryan Stanchek- La Salle BEST DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ......... Michael Combest- St. Xavier BEST RECEIVER ....................... Blake Carter- Moeller PLACE-KICKER OF THE YEAR .......... Tyler Wehmann - Moeller PUNTER OF THE YEAR ..................... Craig Carey- Elder COACH OF THE YEAR .................... Doug Ramsey- Elder b

COACHES Alter .................... Ed Domsitz Badin .................. Terry Malone Chaminade-Julienne .......... Jim Place Elder .................. Doug Ramsey La Salle ................. Tom Grippa McNicholas ........... John Rodenberg Moeller .................. Bob Crable Purcell-Marian ............ Tom Stickley Roger Bacon ............. Dan Starkey St. Xavier ................ Steve Rasso

PRINCIPALS Alter .................... Albert Early Badin ................. Frank Margello Chaminade-Julienne ..... Michael Trainor Elder ..................... Tom Otten La Salle ................. Tom Luebbe McNicholas ................. Tom Bill Moeller ............... Blaine Collison Purcell-Marian ............ Jan Kennedy 'Roger Bacon ............. Tom Devolve St Xavier ............... Dave Mueller

ATHLETIC DIRECTORS Alter. .................. Joe Petrocelli Badin ................... Sally Kocher Chaminade-Julienne .......... Jim Place Elder .................. Dave Dabbelt La Salle ................... Dan Flynn McNicholas ............. Dave Boettger Moeller ................ Barry Borman Purcell-Marian ............ Frank Jessie Roger Bacon ............. Tom DeVolve St. Xavier ................ Pete Boylan

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FOOTBALL WEEK 5

Moeller, Elder prevail GCL opens PIBJI with rout, upset Moeller's return to power picked up steam Friday night with a 10-9 win against previously unbeaten St. Xavier, ruining the Bombers' debut in their renovated 6,000-seat St. Xavier Stadium.

Seven-time state champion Moeller (3-2), which lost its first two games of the season after going 12-9 the two previous seasons, took a 10-0 lead on senior kicker Tyler Wehmann's 34-yard field goal in the third quarter. Ryan Casey's 27-yard field goal in the fourth pulled St. X (4-1) to within one to end the scoring. Coverage, Page 78.

The other Friday upset ~HAMILTON 21, OAK HIW 20: Senior tailback Adell Givens rushed 20 times for 151 yards and bolted for a 52-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give the Big Blue a14-6 lead on the road. Previously unbeaten Oak Hills- No. 1in the Ohio Division 1, Region 4 computer rankingspulled to within one against its GMC rival with a 90-yard scoring drive in the final minute, and elected to go for two. But Hamilton defensive back Derrick Huff hit Oak Hills quarterback Justin Ray as Ray attempted to throw on the conversion attempt, and the pass fell incomplete with 47 seconds to play.

Friday's stars

JASON D. GEIL/for The Post

Moeller linebacker John Bunch brings down St. Xavier quarterback Robby Schoenhoft on the Bombers' final play of the game, seali'1g the 10-9 win for the Crusaders.

~ ROB FLORIAN, ELDER: The senior quarterback finished lQ-of-16 passing for 244 yards and three touchdowns, and added a rushing score in the Panthers' 42-7 GCL road win against La Salle. ~ MARQUE JONES, WILMINGTON: The senior tailback rushed 23 times for 272 yards and scored all five Hunicane touchdowns in a 35-12 FAVC win at Goshen.

H:t:GH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 5

Moeller knocks off St. Xavier Post staff report

It's not often that Moeller plays the role of spoiler, but the Crusaders did just that Friday night, as they handed St. Xavier its first loss of the season, 10-9, on a night when the Bombers unveiled newly renovated St. Xavier Stadi· um.

Moeller led, 7-0, at halftime on a 10-yard touchdown pass from junior Chris Reisert to senior Blake Carter in the second quarter. The Crusaders increased their lead to 10-0 when senior Tyler Wehmann converted a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter.

The Bombers got on the board later in the third on a 9yard touchdown run by junior Matt Feldhaus, who finished with 21 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown. Feldhaus replaced Elliott Walker, who left the game becaue of an injury in the frrst quarter after carrying the ball just three times for ~ight yards.

But, St. Xavier fumbled the snap on the ensuing extra point, which turned out to haunt the Bombers.

St. Xavier added a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter off the foot of senior Ryan Casey, but that's all the Bombers would get as Moeller held on for its third consecutive victory after starting the season 0·2, and its f.trst win at St. Xavier since 1997.

'Junior Dan Barnes led Moeller with 55 yards on 19 carries, and Reisert completed nine of 15 passe·s for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Ryan Lukens led 'the Crusaders' defense with six tackles, including two for a loss, and Moeller allowed St. Xavier junior Robbie SchoenJASON D. GEiljfor the Post hoft to complete just five of20 Moeller quarterback Chris Reisert completed nine of 15 passes for 111 yards and a passes for 85 yards. touchdown In the Crusaders' 10-9 upset of previously unbeaten St. Xavier.

Senior defensive back _ _ .. · · Steve Uphaus led St Xavier with eight tackles, as the Bombers limited Moeller to only 196 total yards, including just 65 on the ground.

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Crusaders squeak by Bombers, 10-9 for Friday.

The Crusaders totaled 202 yards of offense behind rushing leader Martez Williams and passing leader Chris Reisert.

Williams rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries and Reisert was an efficient 9 of 15 passing for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Blake Carter caught 8 passes for 1 17 yards and a touchdown.

Steven Capehart and Beau Goodhart were the defensive. leaders, with Capehart recording 6 tackles and Goodhart totaling 5 tackles and a sack.

BY JEFF ELKUS

CONTRIBUTOR NESUBURBAN@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

The Moeller Crusaders capitalized on their scoring chances and the defense and special teams turned in great performances, as they narrowly defeated the St. Xavier Bombers, 10-9.

The Crusaders improve their record to 3-2 on the season, while the Bombers are 4-1.

"The team played very hard. I think we have a team that kind of thrives off of one another," said head coach Bob Crable. ''The special teams has a big game and it helps out the offense. If the defense plays well and we get some turnovers for me offense. Hopefully, if the defense struggles the offense will be there to help pick us up."

There were two mistakes made by St. Xavier that enabled the Crusaders to steal a victory on the road. The Bombers fumbled away two punts and Moeller recovered both times, accounting for their only points of the game.

"I think both of those certainly \\-ere turning points, where we had the opportunity to put some points on the board," Crable

GREG LORING/CONTRIBUTOR

Moeller junior quarterback Chris Reisert had a good evening passing the ball against St. Xavier. Moeller won, 10-9.

said.

Another important play was the missed extra point by the Bombers that proved to be the margin of defeat.

Chris Reisert found an open Blake Carter for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and Tyler Wehmann knocked in a 34yard field goal in the third quarter for the only scoring plays.

Martez Williams suffered a concussion and is questionable

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Moeller takes on the LaSalle Lancers, who are 3-2, on. Friday in the second of three straight Greater Catholic League games.

The Lancers feature a wide-open attack and will be tough¡ to defeat.

"We are trying to play complete games. We are trying to play games where all three aspects of the game are vitally important," Crable said.

"As long as the kids realize that and play together I think we have the best chance to be successful."

Wedne~day,

September 24, 2003

Crusaders squeak

by Bombers·, 10~9 Bv JEFF ELKus CoNlRIBUTOR NESUBURB~t-:@COMMUNITYPRESS.C0:-.1

The Moeller Crusaders capitalized on their scoring chances and the defense and special teams turned in great performances, as they narrowly defeated the St. Xavier Bombers, 10-9.

The Crusaders improve their record to 3-2 on the season, while the Bombers are 4-l.

"The team played very hard. I think we have a team that kind of thrives off of one anothe.r," said head coach Bob Crable.

"The special teams has a big game and it helps out the offense. If the defense plays well and we get same turnovers for the offense.

Hopefully, if the defense struggles the offense will be there to help pick us up."

There were two mistakes made

by St. Xavier that enabled the Crusaders to steal a victory on the road. The Bombers fumbled away two punts and Moeller recovered both times, accounting for their only points of the game.

"I think both of those certainly were turning points, where we had the opportunity to put some points on the board," Crable said.

Another important play was the missed extra point by the Bombers that proved to be the margin of defeat.

Chris Reisert found an open Blake Cuter for a 10-yard touchdown pa~s in the first quarter and Tyler Wehmann knocked in a 34yard field goal in the third quarter for th:: only scoring plays. :v1a'1·~~~ Williams suffered a con.:u,,:o:rr ;md is que>tio:~<.:~k fur Fniday.

The Crusaders totaled 202 yards of 9ffense behind rushing leader ~1a::tcz Williams and pa~s-

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GREG LORING/CONTRIBUTOR

Moeller junior quarterback Chris Reisert had a good evening passing the ball against St. Xavier. Moeller won, 10-9.

ing leader Chris Reisert Williams rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries and Reisert was an efficient 9 of 15 passing for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Blake Carter caught 8 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Steven Capel'lart and Beau Goodhart were the defensive leaders, with Capehart recording 6 tackles and Goodhart totaling 5 tackles and a sack.

Mreller takes on the LaSalle Lancers, who are 3-2, on Friday in the second of three straight Greater Catholk League games. The Lancers feature a wide-open attack and will be tough to defeat.

"We are trying to play complete games. We are trying to play games where ali three aspect~ of the game are ,.;~~lly important," Crable said.

"As lo:tg as the kids realize that and play rogether I think we haYe the best cbmce to be successful."

THE CINCINNAn ENQUIRER

SPORTS

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Moeller 10, St. Xavier 9·

Backup QB leads Crusaders to win Enquirer contributor

Bombers lose senior RB, then limited to 253 yards

St. Xavier's reopening turned in· to a battle of the backups, and while Bombers junior running back Matt Feldhaus had more impressive stats, it was Moeller junior quarterback Chris Reisert who made the difference. · Reisert came off the bench to replace injured senior Ben McGrath and completed 9-of-15 passes for 111 yards and a touchdoWn as the Crusaders ruined the first football game at renovated St. Xavier Stadium with a 10-9 upset of the Bombers on Friday night.

Reisert hit senior Blake Carter with a 10-yard pass in the second quarter, and the Moeller defense

ganged up on a St. Xavier offense that lost its most dependable player early. The Crusaders limited the Bombers to 253 yards of total offense.

"It's been two years since we've beaten Elder or St. Xavier," said Moeller coach Bob Crable, whose team earned its third consecutive win after losing its first two games of the season. "As far as finding a way to win, we got better tonight.

Weknewitwouldbeaclosegame."

"When you get into the GCL, you never know what you're going to get," said St. Xavier coach Steve Rasso.

The Bombers had won their first

By Mark Schmetzer

four games of the season while waiting to open their expanded new home, complete with artificial turf.

They were ranked fifth in the state Associated Press Division I poll and second in the Enquirer's Division I coaches' poll.

Turnovers and defense teamed up to keep both offenses stymied for most of the first half. St. Xavier wasn't helped by the loss ofleading rusher Elliot Walker with an injury to his right leg on the fourth play of the game.

Walker was hurt trying to convert a fourth-and-one near midfield.

St. Xavier, which was averaging 297 yards of total offense going into the

game, could compile only 84 yards in the first half.

The deepest Bomber penetration reached Moeller's 32-yard line, but Ryan Casey's 49-yard field-goal attempt fell short.

"It hurt to lose Elliot," Rasso said. "Feldhaus came in and did a great job, but when you lose your senior running back, it hurts."

The Bombers couldn't capitalize on two first-half interceptions, but the Crusaders were able to convert the only turnover they caused into the halfs only score.

St. Xavier junior defensive back Ryan Schmidtz fumbled a punt, which was recovered by Moeller's

Mike Rummier at the Bombers' 39yard line. Moeller converted with Reisert's 10-yard pass to Carter in the right comer of the end zone.

The Crusaders got another break after punting on their first possession of the second half.

Schmidtz, who was trying to get away from the bouncing ball, slipped on the artificial turf and the ball glanced off of him.

Moeller junior Derico Murray pounced on the ball at the Bombers 23-yard line, and senior kicker Tyler Wehmann gave the Crusaders a 10-0 lead with a 34-yard field goal with 8:33left in the third quarter.

St. Xavier responded with a 12-

play drive that was salvaged by Robby Schoenhoft's 12-yard pass to Dylan Gaffney on third-and-10 at the Bombers' 29. The Bombers then ran the ball on six consecutive plays, before Feldhaus - who gained 131 yards on 21 carries went the final nine and scored with a lunge that broke the plane with the ball.

St. Xavier cut the deficit to one point on Casey's 27-yard field goal following Steve Uphaus' interception in the fourth quarter, but Schoenhoft's fumble thwarted a laterdrive.

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M- Carter 10 pass-from Reisert (Wehmann kick) M- Wehmann 34 FG X- Feldhaus 9 run (kick failed) X- Casey 27FG Records: M 3-2 (1-0 GCLS), X 4-1 (0-1 GCLS).

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2003

MAN OF MOELLER

Jim Tull; Ryan Lukens (Person who best exemplifies the complete student-athelete)

BEST OFFENSIVE BACK (GRADED BY COACH)

Ben McGrath

BEST OFFENSIVE LINEMAN (GRADED BY COACH)

Zach Smith

BEST DEFENSIVE BACK (GRADED BY COACH)

Steven Capehart

BEST DEFENSIVE LINEMAN (GRADED BY COACH)

Mike Buckley

BEST RECEIVER (GRADED BY COACH)

Ryan Trainor

BEST LINEBACKER (GRADED BY COACH)

Dannel Shepard

MOST IMPROVED SENIOR

Bill Cleary, Will Murray

MOST IMPROVED JUNIOR

Brad Libis, Derico Murray

MR. CLUTCH

David Starvaggi (Made key plays all year.)

MOST VERSATILE PLAYER

Blake Carter (Sr.), Matt Tenant (Jr.) (Played different positions most effectively)

BIG MOE

Mike O'Keefe (Played with pain)

WHITEY CAMPBELL SPIRIT AWARD

Neil Wunder (Best attitude)

MIKE STOFKO LEADER AWARD

Beau Goodhart (Senior most like a captain)

ZAFERES AWARD

Tyler Wehmann (Best special teams player)

"STAR"-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD

Justin Porta, Trent Coletti

MANAGER-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD

Dan Hopkins

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The top 5 Alook at The Post's top five Cincinnati-area high school football teams of all-time: LMO£LLER • Year: 1976 • Record: 12-0 • Coach: Gerry Faust • Noteworthy: Average winning margin of 37.5 points, declared national champions.

2.WYOMING • Year: 1962 ._ Record: 10-0 • Coach: Bob Lewis • Noteworthy: Didn't allow an opponent to score all year, running up 446-0 scoring tally.

3. ROGER BACON •Year: 1967 • Record: 10-0 • Coach: Bron Bacevich • Noteworthy: Surrendered 19 points all season while averaging 37.3 on offense.

4.MOELLER • Year: 1977 .. Record: 12-0 • Coach: Gerry Faust • Noteworthy: Seven shutouts led way to second mythical national titie.

S.CAPE • Yearo1985 .. Record: 14-0 • Coach: Steve Sheehan • Noteworthy: Carlos Snow topped 2,000 rushing yards for Division , IV champions.

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cat grt tr,Q,V greatness That '70s show starred Faust's Moeller teams

'98 Highlands team destroyed opponents' 'D'

By Marc Lancaster

By Marc Lancaster

Post staff reporter

Post staff reporter

In the 1960s, there was no such thing as regular offseason conditioning, particularly for high school athletes.

Unless, of course, you were a football player at Moeller High School for Gerry Faust. In that case, you followed a detailed, year-round training program, broke down video of opponents and even endured the embarrassment of occasional ballet practice to improve your flexibility and balance.

"Fuzzy was ahead of most people at that time," said former Moeller defensive coordinator John Parker, using the nickname Faust inherited from his father, a groundbreaking high school football coach in his own right. · Whatever Faust's methods, the results they produced are remarkable, and the shine has hardly faded three decades later. Starting the Crusader program from scratch in 1963, Faust would compile a 17417-2 record in 18 seasons as head coach before leaving to take over at Notre Dame after the 1980 season.

Faust isn't the winningest coach in Cincinnati high school football history, but there's no doubt he led some of the finest teams the city has ever seen.

In his final six seasons. at Moeller, his teams went 70-1 and captured five state titles, an unbelievable run of achievement made even more impressive by the quality of

quarterback Tim Koegel, was dominant on both sides of the ball. The Crusaders averaged 40.8 points per game and allowed only 40 points the entire season. Moeller won its

There'sjustsomethingaboutusing the term "best ever" when discussing football that demands grainy, black-and-white photos.

No matter how flashy today's Technicolor offenses are, the notion that they are merely overhyped versions of the leat.her-helmeted warriors of yore is comforting, especially to those whose memories stretch back to earlier eras.

History isn't always ancient, though. And when' it comes to picking the best high school football teams ever in Northern Kentucky, the recent past has a very good argument.

Northern Kentucky teams have captured, 35 state championships in various classifications since the Bluegrass State began holding playoffs in 1959. More than 40 years of winning football has provided a number of elite teams, to the point where choosing one as the best is extremely difficult.

But of all the contenders set forth, from legendary coach Homer Rice's Highlands teams in 1960 and '61 that brought home the area's first crowns to the Beechwood teams that dominated small-school competition in· the 1990s, there does seem to be one particular team whose supremacy sets it apart.

In 1998, Highlands went 15-0, demolishing everything in its path.

See OHIO on 78

See KY. on 78

Post file photo

Conventional wisdom holds that the 1976 and '77 Moeller teams, both 12-0, were among the best in Cincinnati history.

the Crusaders' opponents each fall.

Conventional wisdom holds that the 1976 and '77 Moeller teams, each of which finished 12-0, were among the best in Cincinnati history.

The 1976 squad, led by senior

The top 5 Alook at The Post's top five Northern Kentucky high school football teams of all-time: 1. HICHLANDS • Year: 1998 • Record: 15-0 • Coach: Dale Mueller • Noteworthy: Jared Lorenzen-Derek Smith combo helped produced state-record 801 points.

2.LLOYD • Year: 1976 • Record: 15-0 • Coach: Jim Dougherty • Noteworthy: Rrst Northern Kentucky team to win Class AAA titie did it on the ground.

3. HIGHLANDS • Year: 1968 • Record: 13-0 • Coach: Mike Murphy • Noteworthy: Prolific offense, smothering defense led to 44. 7-point victory margin.

4. BEECHWOOD • Year: 1991 • Record: 15-0 • Coach: Mike Yeagle • Noteworthy: Closed out campaign with first of seven Class Atitles in nine seasons.

5. COVINGTON CATHOLIC • Year: 1987 • Record: 14-r • Coach: Lynn Ray • Noteworthy: Colonels downed Paducah lilghman for title, and would do the same in '88.

The Cincinnati Post,

Saturday, October 25, 2003

78

Ohio: Moeller '76, '77 a cut above From1B two state playoff games, against Youngstown Mooney and Gahanna Lincoln, by a combined score of 91-5 and was declared the best high school team in the country for the first time.

"I've coached for 14 seasons, and Moeller is the best team I've ever seen," said Gahanna Lincoln head coach Neal Billman after absorbing a 43-5 beating in the title game in Akron.

In 1977, the Crusaders added another national championship as the Bob Crable-led defense surrendered just 38 points all season. A hard-fought 14-2 win against Canton McKinley in a snowstorm capped a season that saw Moeller shut out seven opponents, including five in a row at one point.

Though Moeller had nine unbeaten regular seasons in the Faust era, those two teams seem to stand above the rest. Of course, Faust won't say that.

"Ifl knew, I wouldn't tell you anyhow, becaus.e I wouldn't want to make one team happy and the others not," the coach saidfromhisAkronhome. "But! don't know, to be. honest with you. Each team had a uniqueness about itself and I thought all of them were great."

Parker, who oversaw the defense on the 1976 squad before leaving to coach at the University of Cincinnati, gives the edge to the final Moeller team he was involved with -largely because of its offense., ''We could throw it, we could run it, and we had some awful good defensive players," said

KEN STEWART/Post file photo

The 1976 Moeller team was dominant on both sides of the ball, averaging 40.8 points per game while holding opponents to just 3.3 a game. The Crusaders finished 12-0.

Parker, now the defensive coordinator for Mariemont. "It was one of those teams that was really balanced. Some might be really good running, some might be really good passing, but we could do it all."

That was thanks in large part to Koegel, who was anointed in one newspaper account at the time as the best passer in Cincinnati since Purcell's Roger Staubach in 1960. He was one of 10 senior starters on the offensive unit in 1976, and his presence was just enough, in Parker's mind, to give that team an edge over the one that followed it.

"I think the quarterback was probably the difference in the teams," Parker said.

The annals of prep football in Cincinnati are filled with worthy challengers to Moeller's stand-

out teams of that era, and each has a legitimate argument simply because it's impossible to know how, say, Purcell Marian's 1949 squad would match up against the 2002 Elder state champions.

Most longtime observers of the game remember eras rather than specific teams - situations where great coaches ]milt great programs that endured for a number of years. St. Xavier head coach Steve Rasso remembers the 1960s belonging to Bron Bacevich's Roger Bacon teams, the 1970s owned by Faust's Moeller squads and the 1980s by Pat Mancuso and Princeton.

"A lot of times you have so many good years, a lot of them undefeated seasons, and which undefeated season was the best one of that?" said Rasso. "I

would say the big thing with those three teams is, they were dominant for a number of years.

It wasn't just a one-shot deal. Bacevich was there year after year, and with Mancuso and Faust, they might have one off year, but they'd come back and win it."

All three coaches are icons on the local prep football scene because of their ability to sustain a championship level for decades.

But perhaps the most intriguing individual team of them all was something of a one-shot deal.

Well, that wasn't entirely the case for the Wyoming team of 1962. While Purcell was the powerhouse among the higher-profile Catholic schools, the Cowboys had had their way for a few years in their conference at the time, the Millcreek Valley League.

In 1962, on the way to their fifth consecutive MVL title, the Cowboys made it through their entire 10-game season without allowing a point. After closing out North College Hill, 46-0, in the season fmale, Wyoming had a scoring margin of 446-0 on the year.

"If that ain't the greatest, I don't know what else is," said Oak Hills head coach Steve Sheehan. "I don't know how that's done. I flat-out do not understand that."

But for all their trouble, head coach Bob Lewis' Cowboys still finished the season unranked in the Ohio Associated Press poll. It would be another 10 years before a state playoff system was implemented, making arguments such as this much easier to settle.

Moeller coach Bob Crable and his Crusaders get a shot at payback when they face Huber Heights Wayne in the first round of the playoffs Saturday.

Moeller fell 35-34 in overtime in last season's playoffs to the same Wayne team.

Moeller ready to face familiar rival The Cincinnati Enquirer

Crusaders determined to avenge last season's loss

The Moeller football team gets a chance at redemption Saturday in the first round of the state playoffs at Lockland HighSchool.

Moeller (7-3), which will face Huber Heights Wayne in the playoffs for the second straight year, lost to the Warriors last season, 35-34 in overtime on a botched twopoint conversion attempt that would have won the game.

"If I had to do it over, I would have gone for two again," Moeller coach Bob Crable said. "I probably would

have called a different play, though."

After an 0-2 start, the Cru· saders won seven of their final eight games, including victories against St. Xavier, La Salle, Columbus DeSales, Lakewood St. Edward (ran· ked No.8 in the state at the time) and Princeton.

"We dug a hole early in the season. It was frustrating as a coach, because I knew this was a good football team," Crable said. 'The East Central game was a big win. We started taking everything one

By John Schutte

High school action Indian Hill defeated Tipp City 2-0 in a Division II girts soccer regional semifinal. 84

game at a time."

"Team" defines Moeller, which doesn't have super· stars or huge statistics from any one player.

"This team does not have one strength. The offense picks up the defense at times and vice versa," Crable said.

"One of the most gratifying as-

pects of this season is we have developed as a team."

Moeller quarterback Ben McGrath, who missed the first seven games of the sea· son with a hamstring injury, is back at full strength.

"We're feeling pretty good about playing Wayne again," McGrath said. "We're a better team than we were last year. n The Crusaders will use multiple formations and spread around the ball to keep Wayne's defense off balance.

The defensive philosophy is similar: Show multiple for·

mations to confuse Wayne.

'They're a very athletic team," McGrath said. "If we stick with our game plan, though, we will be able to drive the ball on them."

Linebackers Beau Goodhart and Ryan Lukens are the heart of the defense. Good· hart leads the team with 119 tackles and Lukens is second at 113. Strong safety David Starvaggi leads the team with four interceptions.

"We have come light years this season," Crable said. "We just need to take one game at a time. Hopefully some teams will look past us since we've lost three."

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Enquirer file/STEVEN M. HERPPICH

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Wednesday, October 29, 2003

Northeast Suburban Life A7. ·

Moeller to stick ~ith 2 QBs in playoffs

BY DAVE SCHUTTE

SPORTS EDITOR DSCHUTTE@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

dschutte@compunitypress.com

Many football coaches have tried platooning quarterbacks but the strategy usually fails.

Bob Crable, Moeller's head coach, plans to stick with this strategy next week in the first round of the Division I playoffs after successfully experimenting with the system Friday in an impressive 42-13 victory over Princeton.

"Ben McGrath was our projected starter but has been hurt all season," Crable said. Moeller put him into the lineup and he. played some against La Salle, and did well Friday against Princeton.

Over all, McGrath and season-long. starter Chris Reisert combined for 17-of-27 completions for 186 yards and one touchdown. McGrath was also the Crusaders leading rusher, with 53 yards on five carries.

The Crusaders play Huber Heights Wayne Saturday (7 p.m.) at Locklapd the first round of the Division I, Region 4, playoffs at Lockland Stadium. The game is a rematch of last year's first round game that the Warriors won by one point in overtime when Moeller failed to convert on a two-point conversion.

"Going with two quarter~ks could a problem for .rayne's defense," Crable said. i Both have different styles. Ben 1is more physical while Chris has more finesse."

After losing the opening game to Anderson at the · University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium in the Skyline Chili Showdown, Crable held a

1

.

~

tough against Anderson," said Crable, a former Moeller, Notre Dame and professional line- ·: backer. "We told the guys that ·· they will play tough and hard :' football. This wasn't a threat or a • promise but a way of life at Moeller."

Although the Crusaders lost the second game of the season tci ·• Louisville St. Xavier, Crable ' noticed a big difference.

"We found a way to lose that ·· game but the kids played hard," · Crable said. "We followed with a victory over East Central (Ind.) in a tough and physical game: ' That seemed to tum the season." ..

Moeller went on to post a 7-3 ' record, losing only to Elder on a: ·· botched extra point attempt late ·: in the game.

Crable vividly remembers last- ' year's game against Wayne and ' knows that the Warriors have· ' speed to bum and are also very physical on the defensive side of : the ball. · Wayne relies heavily on· Thomas Mouser, a speedy back who rushed for 1,047 yards and scored 20-plus TO's.

"We're going up against the same type of Wayne football' ; team as last year," Crable said·.' : "From what I know. they will run r the ball a little more and not pass· as often."

Moeller's defense has been outstanding against the run.;. holding Princeton's Jarrell , Williams to 39 yards while limit-~, ing Elder's Bradley Glaathaai • under 100.

BEN The winner of the·.

Moeller High School senior defensive lineman Will Murray Moeller/Wayne game plays the·, celebrates a first-quarter sack of Princeton quarterback Jarrell winner of the Colerain/La Salle Williams Oct. 24 at Lockland Stadium. game Saturday, Nov. 8, at a neu~. • tral site to be announced by the team meeting to clear the air and der of the season.

"The kids didn't play hard or OHSAA on Sunday. set the guidelines for the remain-

Vikings owerwhelmed I Moeller 42, Princeton lv

Crusaders cruise right into playoffs For the Enquirer/ DICK SWAIM

Moeller's Johr Bunch draws a bead on Princeton's Jarrell Williams in the first quarter Friday night.

Carter's TD return helps rout Princeton as Moeller rebounds from 0.:2 beginning

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller rallied from an ~2 season start and stormed into the Division I playoffs Friday night, as it routed rival Princeton 42-13 before a capacity crowd at Lockland Stadium.

The 29-point margin was Moeller's biggest win in the storied series since 1982, when the Crusaders ripped Princeton 56-7 en route to their last mythical national championship (USA Today).

"We came back and played as hard as we can," Moeller coach Bob Crable said, referring to Moeller's stretch run this year. "When you've got offense, defense and special

For the Enquirer/ DICK SWAIM

Princeton ¡!lB .arrell Williams is brought dov.n by Moeller's Dannel Shepard (36) in the first quarter of the Crusaders' 42-13 win Friday.

Playoff picture shaping up

Who's in, so far

Area Div. I prospects strong with 6 locals in line for berths

The following is GMC commissioner Steve Shuck's predictions on which local teams will make the playoffs. Check Monday's Enquirer for the OHSAA pairings, set to be released Sunday. ¡

By Carey ftoffllan Enquirer cot~tritutor

Six of the eight Division I football playoff berths in the region appea- to be going to local teams. according to Harbin computer expert Steve Shuck. and they are the six he for~casted- Elder, Colerain. Moeller, Mason, La Salle and Anderson.

Anderson survived two scares for the eighth and final spot Oak Hills would have projected itself into the playoffs if its upset bid Friday against Elder ha:in'tfallen short, and Princeton oould have supplanted Anderson for the fi-

Inside Hannony has been cleared for now in eligibility probe. CU

.

nal spot if one more of its defeated opponents had won to deliver a six-tenth of a point second-level boost to the VIkings' Harbin point total.

Friday's biggest upset came in Division ll with Glen Este's loss to Turpin. It appears to have set the stage for Wilmington to inherit the final playoff berth in the region, leaving the Trojans out of the mix.

Edgewood, Kings and Mount Healthy all seelll to

have secured playoff spots in Division ll with victories Friday, as does Wyoming in Division lli.

In Division IV, four local teams projected as being playoff-bound stayed on track Friday night- ClintonMassie, Reading, Mariemont and Batavia.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy appears to be in line for a Division V berth, but Fenwick's chance at the fihal playoff spot is unclear.

Two teams with strong playoff chances play today Division ll McNicholas faces Purcell Marian and Division VJacobs Center meets Lockland.

Division I In: Elder, Colerain, Mason, Moeller, Anderson, La Salle Division II In: Edgewood; Kings, Mt Healthy, Wilmington Bubble: McNicholas (Needs to beat Purcell Marian today}.

Division Ill In: Wyoming Division IV In: Clinton-Massie, Reading, Mariemont, Batavia Division V In: None Bubble: Jacobs, CHCA, Fenwick Division VI - None

teams all clicking like that, you're tough to beat" Moeller's only loss since its ~2 start was a 21-20 heartbreaker to defending state champion Elder.

Moeller, win or lose Friday, was projected to make the Ohio Division I playoffs according to computer expert Steve Shuck's: analysis.

Princeton probably needed to beat Moeller to make the playoffs, Shuck said.

Moeller's Blake Carter returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown just before halftime, sending Moeller to a 21-7 halftime lead and essentially breaking the game open. Carter, nephew of NFL great receiver Cris Carter and son of former NBA player and coach Butch Carter, also caught seven passes for 96 yards.

"I've never returned a kickoff for a touchdown," said Blake Carter, rated by recruiting analysts as among Ohio's top wide receiver prospects.

"To do it in the Princeton game is just awesome.

They're a great team, and it's always nice to beat them."

Moeller played ball-control offense and wore Princeton down up front.

See MOELLER, Page ClO

Moeller: Crusaders roll in rivalry victory From Page Cl

The Crusaders showed several different defensive packages to keep standout Princeton quarterback Jarrell Williams off balance, )10lding Williams to 39 yards rushing (23 carries) and 103 yards passing on 10-of-20 attempts. ; Williams did score once and threw for Princeton's other 1D to ~ohnny Long. .¡ ; Moeller held a 368-172 edge in total yardage, with 182 yards rushjng and 186 passing. Moeller rotated quarterbacks Ben McGrath and Cris Reisert, who combined to go l7-of-27 for 186 yards, 11D and 2 interceptions. McGrath was Moel'er's top rusher with five carries for 53 yards. ' Princeton (8-2) was ranked No.3 in the¡ Enquirer Division I coaches poll and Moeller (7-3) was No: 5, butmostconsideredMoeller the favorite.

The Crusaders had beaten ,Princeton in their last 12 meetings (Moeller now leads the series 35-7), leading Princeton to try a pregame psych job.

The Vikings didn't arrive at the stadium until 10 minutes before kickoff. Princeton tried to change its luck by staging pre-game warmup in its home stadium, with the Vikings' campus about a H)-minute drive from Lockland, where Moeller plays home games.

"We were trying to do something different to get a mental edge," Princeton coach Brian Dodds said. "But then you've got to get a few breaks, and we didn't They just beat us up front, and they were much quicker up front. That was it" Moeller scored first, on a 1-yard run by fullback Justin Porta to make it 7-0 with 11:08left in the first half. The Crusaders went up 14-0 on a 2-yard 1D run by Chris Walsh with 3:32left before halftime.

Princeton responded by.driving and scoring on a 15-yard run by Williams with 24 seconds left in the first half. That cut Moeller's lead to 14-7 and seemed to give Princeton momentum just before halftime.

But Moeller's Carter returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchd~wn, giving Moeller a 21-7

For the Enquirer/ DICK SWAIM

Princeton coach Brian Dodds' chances of making the playoffs with the Vikings were nullified with the loss.

lead at halftime. on two more scores to make the Princeton had hope when Wil- rout complete. _................... 0 7 6 0 - 13 liams threw a 9-yard 1D pass to Prlncelon Moeller............................... 0 21 7 14 -42 Long with 8:38left in the third quar- M -Porta 1 run (Wehmann kick) M -Walsh 2 run (Wehmann kick) ter. But when Moeller quarterback PWilliams 15 run (Feldhues kick) 88 kickoff return (Wehmann kick) Ben McGrath scored on a 4-yard PM--carter Long 9 pass from Williams (run failed) keeper to make it 28-13late in the M -McGrath 4 run (Wehmann kick) 1 run (kick blocked) third period, deflating Princeton's MM -- Porta Wunder 5 pass from Reisert (Wunder run) Reconls: P 8-2, M 7-3. comeback hopes. Moeller tacked

Moeller 14, Huber Heigbts Wayne lD

McGrath's late TD pass caps Crusaders rally

By David Clark Enquirer contributor

Saturday's playoff rematch between Moeller and Huber Heights Wayne featured another exciting finish.

But this time the Crusaders prevailed, avenging last year's heartbreaking loss in dramatic fashion with a 14-10 win Saturday night at Lockland Memorial Stadium.

Ben McGrath's 17-yard touchdown strike to Neil Wunder with 26 seconds remaining gave the Crusaders the come-from-behind victory. The result was a far cry from the 35M shootout the two teams staged a year ago.

Moeller earned its eighth win in its past nine games to advance to a meeting with Enquirer coaches' poll champion Colerain, which defeated La Salle 45-21.

The Crusaders scored all14 of their points in the fourth quarter.

Matt Whited's 44-yard touchdown strike to Greg Orton with 1:56 remaining had given Wayne a 10-7lead. But its prevent defense couldn't halt the Crusaders' twominute drill.

Both defenses impressed throughout the first half. While

the Warriors held Moeller to fewer than 100 yards of total offense in the half, the Crusaders' defense recorded a number of timely sacks to stifle Wayne drives.

Wayne's offense early on revolved around Thomas Mauser, who led theWarriors to a Greater Western Ohio Conference East title with 1,675 all-purpose yards during the regular season.

The Crusaders' defense started with a key stop. Alex]aeger's sack halted the Warriors' first drive of the game at midfield. Wayne's defense was equally impressive in stifling the Crusaders' first drive.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, a fourth-and-1 at the Wayne 23, Williams picked up first-down yardage. The sophomore running back then picked up 15 yards on three plays to set up McGrath's 5-yard keeper for a 7-3 lead with 9:53 remaining.

Wayne answered on Orton's44yard touchdown catch to take its short-lived 10-7 advantage.

Wayne 3 0 0 7 -10 Moeller 0 0 0 0 -14 W- Eby 38 FG M -McGrath 5 run (Wehmann kick) w- orron 44 pass from Wh~ed (Eby kick) M -Wunder 17 pass from McGrath (Wehmann kick) Records: M (8-3), w(9-2)

Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Crusaders set sights on league title Bv JER=Euws CONTRIBUTOR

NESUBURBAN@coMMUNITYPRESS.COM

The Moeller Crusaders' offensive thythm remained steady against the LaSalle Lancers and the defense picked up the slack as Moeller won, 28-16.

The Crusaders improve their record to 4-2, while the Lancers fall to 3-3. Trailing 14-0 throughout much of the first half, Moeller struggled to move the ball efficiently and could not establish the run or the pass. Late in the second quarter, the Crusaders struck for their first points on a 35-yard pass from quarterback Chris Reisert to Neil Wunder. ''It was a pretty important play for us and it showed that we were able to do something offensively;' said head coach Bob Crable. ''I think it really gave our offense a little bit of a boost of confidence and helped us out for the second half:' The second half began with Dan Barnes adding a 29-yard touchdown run and Grant Widmeyer contributing a 15-yard score. Widmeyer scored his second touchdown on a 1yard run in the fourth quarter.

The Crusaders gained 333 yards of total offense. Widmeyer rushed fur

96 yards on 14 carries and recorded two touchdowns, while Barnes had 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Reisert completed 10 of 16 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown.

Wunder had five receptions for 83 yards arid a touchdown. Defensively, Beau Goodhart had six tackles, a sack, and an interception, plus Ryan Kernodle had five tackles and a sack.

At the midpoint of the season, the Crusaders' quarterback position remains a question mark, because of an injury to senior Ben McGrath. ''Certainly Ben being a captain for us and one of the team leaders, his presence is very important;' Crable saicl However, Reisert has risen to the occasion, leading his team to a fourgame winning streak. ''I think last week, though, Chris Reisert really showed how important a junior can be, when he stepped in and helped bring us back;' Crable saicl The Crusaders face off against the 4-1 Elder Panthers in a Greater Catholic League division clash at The Pit Moeller will try to nail down a conference championship, but must find a way to defeat the defending state champions.

Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Managers help team behind the scenes

BY JEFF ELKUS CONTRIBUTOR • NESUBURBAN@COMMUNil'fPRESS.COM

When the football players at Moeller High School and Cincinnati . . Hills Christian Academy take the field, they are in the limelight, while other members involved with the teams go unnoticed.

The Moeller Crusaders have used team managers since their program was established in 1958.

"I think football managers for every football team is a very vital part of the programs. It is a job that is very necessary and has to be done and the players and the coaching staff here at Moeller appreciate everything the .kids do;' equipment manager Whitey • Campbell said.

The Crusaders have five managers who are involved in a variety of roles. Dan Hopkins, a senior from Indian Hill, is the head manager and has four other man.agers who work under him.

"Dan's job js very important, coach

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Hopkins said.

The team managers join the players for the pre-game meal.

Then, they help pack up the van with all of the equipment.

After they arrive, the managerial team unpacks the equipment, tests the headsets for the coaches, and assembles the water.

"Overall, I like being around the team and being on the field for the game. It makes me feel good, especially if we do well during the season," Hopkins said.

Although Hopkins did have aspirations to play football,· he never had the chance. However, being a team manager gives him an opportunity to be part of the engine that makes Moeller football run.

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role with the team very vital," Campbell said.

Hopkins takes care of the practice facilities, which entails setting up water, bringing out equipment, and gathering ice bags.

Hopkins' most important role is monitoring the running clock at practice and notifying the coaches when one drill stops and another begins.

"I am pretty close to all the coaches and I just keep them on task. I just make sure everything runs smoothly during practice,"

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Missed extra point drops Crusaders into OT los~ ------~~---=--·----~-BY JEFF ELKUS CoNTRIBUToR

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NESUBURBAN@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

The Moeller Crusaders showed their offensive firepower and defensive prowess against the Elder Panthers, but missed an extra-point to put the game into overtime and lost, 21-20. The Crusader drop to 4-3 and the Panthers are now 6-1.

"I think that these guys have earned some respect from a lot of people in the city after that game just because they played hard and got after it," said head coach Bob Crable.

There were many key plays in the game that influenced the outcome for the Crusaders. The major turning point was the missed extra point at the end of the fourth quaiter.

However, there was also blown coverage on blitzes and a penalty for having too many men on the field. Overall, Elder made the plays when it counted and Moeller came·up short in the crucial minutes.

"We were inside the 10-yard line three times and we came away with zero points," Crable said.

"We have to make sure that

Moeller High School's Martez Williams tries to pull away from an outstretched Elder defender Oct. 3 at the Pit. Moeller fell 21-20 when Its extra point attempt was blocked with 1:22 left.

every time we are in that red zone that we get some points on the board. If we would have done that we probably would have won the football game."

Chris Reisert converted a 4yard run for a touch'aown in the second quarter to belin the scoring. The next time '-'toeller put points on the board was in the fourth quarter, with two 4-yard touchdown runs by Martez Williams.

The Crusaders had 391 yards of total offense and Williams ap.d Reisert were two main reasons why. Williams had 17 carries for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Reisert completed 10 of 18 passes for 129 yards. He also had 7 carries for 50 yards and a toucihdqwn.

Bill Cleary was the receiving threat with 4 catches for 54 yards. Ryan Lukens and Beau Goodhart were the stars on

defense and each recorded a total of 6. tackles.

Moeller travels to St. Francis DeSales on Friday to take on the Stallions. The Crusaders need to win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORIS

Elder 21, Moeller 20

RB Glatthaar comes up big for Panthers Blocked extra point seals win, share of GCLS crown

By Mark Schmelzer Enquirer contributor

Moeller kept Bradley Glatthaar bottledupformostofthegame, but the senior erupted when it counted the most Glatthaar squeezed through a small hole in the middle of the Moeller defense and ran 37 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown and senior Alex Harbin blocked a Tyler Wehmann extra-point attempt with 1:22 left to give the Panthers a 21-20 win over the Crusaders before a sellout crowd of 10,000 at Elder Friday night "All week, we worked on getting a push so I could get a chance to use my leaping ability," Harbin said.

Glatthaar finished with 117 yards on 20 carries.

The Panthers improved to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the Greater Catholic League South Division.

'This is huge," said Harbin, one of 40 Elder seniors. 'This was the last game for the seniors in the Pit, and we wanted to go out with a

win."

They could clinch a GCLS championship with a win at St. Xavier

next week. The Crusaders will earn a co-championship with Elder if the Bombers win next week.

M9eller was trying to win its first undisputed championship since 1997.

'We had a field goal blocked and the extra point blocked," Moeller coach Bob Crable said. 'We thought about going for two, because we knew we were having trouble on that side and Tyler was kicking them kind of low, but we played it safe."

Elder, playing the last of four home games at The Pit this season, was ranked second behind Colerain in the Enquirers Division I coaches' poll.

The Panthers were second behind Anderson and ahead of Colerain in the Harbin Division I Region 4 computer ratings. The Panthers were ranked No.8 in the state in the Associated Press Division I poll.

The Crusaders were No. 10 in the Enquirers poll and 11th in the Harbin ratings. Both teams took four-game winning streaks into the game.

'We didn't play as well as we

For the Enquirer/THOMAS E. WITIE

Moeller contained Elder's Bradley Glatthaar until the second half, but the star running back scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

have been defensively, but we made the plays when we had to," Elder coach Doug Ramsey said.

'That's what good teams do."

Moeller used nine rushing plays to go 63 yards and reach the Elder 1-yard line on its first possession before junior Eric Kenkel stopped Grant Widmeyer on third and fourth downs to hold the Crusaders.

That gave the Panthers the opportunity to take the first lead, which they did with a 47-yard pass from Florian to wide-open junior Ben Wittwer on the second play of the second quarter.

The Crusaders had another drive snuffed out when senior linebacker Michael Brown blocked Wehmann's 34-yard field goal attempt They finally converted on their

last drive of the half, aniD.e-play possession capped by Reisert's 4-yard touchdown with 30 seconds left Elder regained the lead when Florian capped a 67-yard, sevenplay drive by getting flushed from the pocket and completing a 13yard scramble with a dive into the end zone. Florian gained 56 yards rushing on the drive.

Moeller responded with a 12play, 76-yard drive. Williams tied the game with a 4-yard touchdown run. Williams also pulled Moeller within a point with another 4-yard run with 1:22 left in the game.

Moeler _____,____

0

7

0 13 - 20

Elder-·-·-·----·-·0 7 7 7 E- Wittwer 47 pass from Aortan (Hueneman kick) M -Reisert 4 run (Wehmann kick) E- Aortan 13 run (Hueneman kick) M- Williams 4 run (Wehmann kick) E- Glatthaar 37 run (Hueneman kick) M -Williams 4 run (kick blocked) Records: M 4-3 (2-1 GGlS), E 6-1 (2-0 GCts).

- 21

SIGNING DAY

The CincL1nat Enquirer/MEGGAJI! BOOKER

oeller head football coach Bob Crable laughs with football player Dannel Shepard about how warm the weather .,..ill be in Tallahassee, Fla., after Shepard signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play at Florida A&M University. Shepard was Moeller's starting fullback in 2002, but Crable switched him to linebacker for his senior season "because of his athleticism." Shepard, Crable said, is "a kid who put forth 100 percent effort."

M

RIGHT: Crable coaches Shepard in 2001.

IN SPORTS: Signing Day for football, soccer. 81 Where Greater Cincinnati players are going. 82

Enquirer file

FN

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2004 83

Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown

St. X plays St. Edward in 7-game invitational

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Defending state champion Elder and runner-up Lakewood St. Ed路 ward both will play in the seventh annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown prep football invitation路 al this August, event organizers an路 nounced Monday.

Elder, which beat Lakewood St. Edward 31-7 in the 2003 Ohio Division I title game, will play archrival Colerain on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 5:30p.m. at UC's Nippert Stadium to highlight opening weekend.

Lakewood St. Edward will face St. Xavier at 3 p.m. the same day, in the debut of St. Xavier coach Steve Specht. Specht is replacing longtime Bombers coach Steve Rasso, who retired after the 2003 season.

The Skyline event, organized by Don Schumacher and Associates' sports marketing group, again will be a two-day, seven-game invitational.

"We think it's the deepest field we've had, top to bottom," said Tom Gamble, head of Schumacher's prep sports division.

The event begins Thursday, Aug. 26, with two games at Princeton High School. Boone County will play Roger Bacon at 5:30p.m. and Covington Catholic will face La Salle at 8 p.m.

On Saturday Aug. 28, the fivegame card at UC begins with Princeton vs. Wmton Woods at

Schedule The schedule of 2004 Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown prep football games: THURSDAY, AUG. 26 (At Prlnceton High School) 5:30 p.m. - Boone County vs. Roger Bacon 8 p.m. -Covington Cathplic vs. La Salle SATURDAY AUG. 28 (At UC's Nippert Stadium) 10 a.m. - Princeton vs. Winton Woods 12:30 p.m. - Anderson vs. Hamilton 3 p.m. - Lakewood St Edward vs. St Xa~er 路 5:30 p.m. - Colerain vs. Elder 8 p.m. - Lebanon vs. Moeller

10 a.m.; Anderson vs. Hamilton at 12:30 p.m.; Lakewood St. Edward vs. St. Xavier at 3 p.m.; Elder vs.

Colerain at 5:30p.m.; and Lebanon vs. Moeller at 8 p.m.

Anderson coach Vmce Suriano said the event can be a good springboard for a team's season. Last year, Anderson upset Moeller 20-6 in a Skyline game and went on to its fourth consecutive playoff appearance. "It's like playing in the Kickoff Classic for a college team," Suriano said. 'The kids feel rewarded.

You've been asked to play because you've done a good job in the past."

Email tgroesc/zen@enquirer.com

z..1 z.l I(!) 'f THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPO

Higb school football

Tripleheader on schedule for Paul Brown Stadium

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Two-time defending Ohio champion Elder will face 15-time Kentucky champion Highlands to highlight the inaugural "Prep Classic" football tripleheader at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday Sept. 5, event organizers announced Friday.

Seven-time Ohio champion Moeller will play 10-time Kentucky champ Louisville St. Xavier, and Cincinnati powers Anderson and Colerain will meet in the third game.

The Moeller game begins the day at noon, with the other games at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Event organizers are still negotiating whether u: ......t..1 ........ rt~ 'Vlrta....

1'\:1'"

AnAArc;U\n-

Colerain will be the second/third games.

The event is a Reach Production sponsored by Hacks Sports, the latter a local sports marketing firm that has sponsored similar events at Ryle High School in recent years.

The event resulted from a concerted effort by Hamilton County officials, the Bengals, Anthony Munoz Foundation and Cris Collinsworth ProScan Foundation.

"It could really be exciting for the kids, being in such a big-game environment like Paul Brown Stadium," Moeller coach Bob Crable said. "As time goes on, I think you're going to see a lot of hype involved in this one."

111P !J:lmP!'; will lead unto the an-

nuall..abor Day fireworks on the riverfront. The tripleheader became more feasible with the recent announcement that the Bengals will remove their grass field and install new artificial turf in Paul Brown Stadium.

Paul Brown Stadium has hosted high school games before, including a Highlands-Elder game in 2000. Elder won 21-14 before more than 20,000 fans.

Paul Brown Stadium also hosted some prep playoff games in 2001 and 2002. In 2001, more than 48,000 fans attended an Ohio playoff doubleheader that featured Princeton vs. St. Xavier and Elder vs. Colerain.

Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com

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ELDER 21, MOELlER 20

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Elder wins classic

?ost

Moeller's Steven Capeheart intercepts a Hail Mary pass intended for Elder's Craig Carey (on ground) on the last

play ofthe first half. Moeller's D.J. Hlovchiec helped break up the play. The Panthers won, 21-20.

Panthers' defense flexes its muscles

By Victoria Sun Post staff reporter

The high-octane offense of the Elder High School football team has averaged 35.2 points in its first six games.

Teams attempting to stop the defending Division I state champions have had to contend with the strong arm of senior quarterback Rob Florian and the powerful legs of senior running back Bradley Glatthaar.

But against Greater Catholic League rival Moeller, the Panthers flexed their defensive muscles in a classic matchup between the two GCL powers.

In front of a packed house of 10,000 at

the Pitt on Senior Night, Elder held on for a 21-20 victory Friday night against the Crusaders.

After Moeller running back Martez Williams scored his second touchdown of the game with 1:22left in the fourth quarter to pull the Crusaders to within 21-20, Elder senior defensive lineman Alex Harbin blocked the extra-point attempt to preserve the Panthers' one-point win.

"I told Eric Kenkel and Mike Zielasko to get in there to push the pocket, so it was just as much a block for them as it was for me," Harbin said. "I got two hands up there and it went right into my right hand. As soon as I felt it, I didn't know what to think, I just ran to the side-

line and started celebrating. ''It was just awesome, especially Senior Night, last game in the Pit." Elder's fifth consecutive victory against Moeller kept the Panthers' chances of winning the GCL's South Division in tact. The Panthers improved to 5-1,2-0, while Moeller dropped to 4-2,2-1.

Elder played its final home game of the season and will play at St. Xavier this Friday.

"Moeller played an outstanding game," Elder head coach Doug Ramsey.

"They had a good game plan, they executed and played hard. That was a great

See PANTHERS on 58

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2003 DS

Football polls Division I Team Record Votes 1. Colerain 3-0 (7) 98 2. St. Xavier 3-0 (2) 88 3. Elder 2-1 82 4. Anderson 3-0 66 5. Oak Hills 3-0 62 6. Lakota East 3-0 50 7. Lebanon 3-0 36 8. Mason 3-0 25 9. Winton Woods 2-1 24 10. Middletown 2·1 14 Others: La Salle 3, Fairfield 1, Moeller 1.

Division II·VI 1. Wyoming 3-0 (10) 100 2. Edgewood 3-0 86 3. Loveland 3-0 70 4. Roger Bacon 2-1 57 5. Kings 2-1 53 6. CHCA 3-0 43 7. McNicholas 2-1 41 8. Clinton-Massie 3-0 34 9. Purcell Marian 3-0 23 10. Indian Hill 2-1 14 Others: Glen Este 12, Reading 10, New Richmond 3, East Clinton 3, Mount Healthy 1.

• ( ) denotes first-place votes

Coaches tab Colerain as tops in D-1

By John Schutte The Cincinnati Enquirer

The top six spots remained un; changed in the Enquirers Division I coaches' poll. Seven of the 10 schools in the Division I poll remained undefeated at 3-0.

Colerain retained the top spot after a 40.14 victory over leaguefoe Milford. St. Xavier received a stiff challenge in a 14-7 victory over perennial Division III power Columbus St. Francis DeSales.

Oak Hills improved to 3-0 with a 42-21 victory over Middletown.

The Middies dropped three spots to No.10.

Division II-VI poll teams also avoided major upsets in Week 3.

Six schools in the top 10 retained their undefeated status, including top-ranked Wyoming.

The Cowboys are the unanimous No. 1, earning all 10 first place votes. Edgewood remained No. 2, while Loveland moved up two spots to No. 3 after a 48-6 vic• tory over Amelia.

•'

LOUISVILLE ST. XAVIER 31, MOELLER 17 at Louisville Male High School - Moeller led, 17"10, at the half, but couldn't contain St. Xavier running back K.J. Austin-Bruce, who rushed for 223 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior running back Dan Barnes led the Crusaders in rushing with 72 yards on 19 carries. Pat Watt had four catches for Moeller for 56 yards and returned a kickoff 85 yards to the St. Xavier 1-yard line, setting up the Crusaders' first score.

LOU. ST. XAVIER 7 3 14 MOELLER 7 10 0 ST.X-Austin·Bruce 25 run (Fante kick)

7 0

31 17

~~~~r;::';~ ~tFbWehmann kick) M-Walsh I run (Wehmann kick) M-Wehmann 32 FG ST.X-EIIis retumed 3 blocked punt (Fante kick) ST. X-Austin-Bruce 23 run (Fante kick) ST. X-Austin-Bruce 36 run (Fante kick) Records: Lou. Sl Xavier 2-ll. Moeller o-2.

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MOELLER 52, SANDUSKY 20 - Moeller piled up 206 rushing yards behind sophomore Martez Williams, who finished with 96 yards on 13 carries, including a flve-yard touchdown run. The Crusaders scored 35 unanswered points to break open a 7-7 tie.

Senior tailback Dan ., Barnes added 63 yards and ~a p~ of touchdowns on 16 -..........carries.

-~ The Crusaders limited ~Sandusky to just 50 rush. ing yards, and senior line'· backer Beau Goodhart .·, scored the first Moeller ·( touchdown on a 41-yard fumble return in the opening quarter.

MOELLER

at SANDUSKY

14 21 10 7 0 7

7 6

52 20

M-Gaodhart 41 tumble return (Wehmann kiCk) S-O Ptckens 2 run (Sample ktck)

M-Bames 4 run (Wehmanfl kiCk) M-Watt 28 pass from McGrath (Wehmann ktck) M-Wtlliams 5 run (Wehmann kiCk) M-Bames 6 run (Wehmann kiCk) M-Walsh 5 pass from Retsert (Wehmann ktck) S-Garrett 87 pass from Dehn (Sample k1ck) M-Wehmann 31 FG M-Port:a 13 run (Wehmann ktck) S--R Ptckens 1 run (ktck failed) Records· Moeller 2·2. Sandusky 1-3

QB 's return sparks Moeller victory 7-~7ÂŁ rU<l CoNTRIBUTOR NESUBURBAN@COMMUNilYPREss.coM

The Moeller Crusaders combined a prolific offense that scored consistently with a stellar defense .en route to a convincing victory over the Sandusky Blue Streak, 52-20.

Moeller moves to 2-2 on the season and Sandusky dips to 1-3. ihe key for igniting the Moeller offense was the return of quarterback Ben McGrath.

"Ben seemed to spark something in their with the guys that really seemed to help our offense," said head coach Bob Crable.

Moeller gained 335 yards of total offense behind rushing leader Martez Williams and passing leader Ben McGrath.

Williams had 13 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown, while ¡ McGrath was 4 of 6 for 103 yards and a touchdown. Pat Watt led all receivers with 2 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, D.J. Hlovchiec rP.-.nrrtPrt '\ t>~l'ld ..., >~nrl

"" interr.en-

tion and Beau Goodhart chipped in 4 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries. Pat Watt sustained a collarbone injury and will not play next week.

Beau Goodhart began the scoring in the first quarter with a 41yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Next, Dan Barnes punched it in the end zone from 4 yards out. .The second quarter started with a bang when Ben McGrath found Pat Watt for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Martez Williams added another score when he ran it in from 5 yards away. Dan Barnes tallied his second touchdown of the day with a 6-yard touchdown scamper.

Chris Reisert came into the game in the third quarter and threw a strike to Chris Walsh for a 5-yard score. Then, Tyler Wehmann connected on a 31-yard field goal and Justin Porta had a 13-yard touchdown.

"We certainly had some good individual performances and when that happens good things are going to happen, especially if you sustain those things," Crable said.

Moeller 27, East Central14 The Crusaders avoided the first 0-3 start in school history by forcing five turnovers in the second quarter and limiting East Central to 214 yards of total offense.Senior quarterback Chris Reisert completed 14-of-18 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown. Blake Carter caught five passes for 102 yards for Moeller.

MoOIIer - - · · - - - - · East

Central-···---

3 24 7 0

0 7

0 -27 0 -14

M· Wehmann 19 field goal EC· Truitt 40 pass from Brown (Weber kick) M- Barnes 3 run (Wehmann kick) M- Wehmann 32 field goal M- Walsh 1 run (Pass gOOd) M- Widmeyer 9 pass from Reise~ (kick blocked) EC- Montgomery 22 pass from Brown (Weber kick) Records: M 1-2, EC 2-1.~

:· ,._, -·'· 'I .'. 1-.:·/

----------¡--------- -¡-- -Polls High school football

-

Division I

ColeraUB, VVyo~g remaUB atop polls '

.!

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17zc Cincin~ati Enquirl'T

Colerain and Wyoming remained atop the Enquirer football coaches' polls this week, with some minor shuffling caused by Division I upsets.

Sl Xavier, previously No. 2 in Division I, slipped to No. 5 after being upset 1().9 by Moeller.

Moeller, with its third straight win, moved back into the top 10 at No. 10 this week.

Colerain continues to hold No. 1 in the Division I poll after a 5~7 thrashing of Fairfield. Elder improved one spot to No. 2 after beating La Salle 42-7.

Anderson improved one spot to No. 3 after beating Amelia 63-3. Lakota East jumped two spots to No.4 with a 22.{) win

over Milford, as previous No. 5 Oak Hills was upset by Hamilton 21-20.

In Divisions ll-VI, Wyoming, Edgewood and Kings remained Nos. 1-2-3. CHCA improvt.>d one spot to No. 4. Glen Este leaped from No.8 to share the No.5 spot with former No.4 Loveland, which lost 21-14 to Mason.

Glen Este, enjoying a 4-1 start, has a big test this week at East Side rival Anderson.

Colerain and Wyoming are heavily favored to retain their top spots this week. Colerain visits Lakota West (0-5), and Wyoming plays host to Taylor (2-3).

In Northern Kentucky, Highlands (4-1) maintained the top spot despite a loss Friday at Boyle County.

Rank-Team 1. Colerain (9)

Record

Points

5-0 90 2. Elder 4-1 76 3. Anderson 5-0 74 4. Lakota East 5-0 62 5. St. Xavier 4-1 54 6. lebanon 5-0 42 7. Winton Woods 3-2 23 8. Oak Hills 4-1 22 9. Princeton 4-1 21 10. Moeller 3-2 17 Others: Midd!etown 13, Mason 1. Did not vote: Sycamore.

Divisions II-VI 1. Wyoming (10) 5-0 100 2. Edgewood 5-0 89 3. Kings 4-1 61 4. CHCA 5-0 60 5. Glen Este 4-1 38 5. (tie) loveland 3-2 38 7. Roger Bacon 3-2 33 8. McNicholas 3-2 32 9. Indian Hill 4-1 29 10. Clinton-Massie 5-0 26 Others: Mariemont 15, Mount Healthy 11, Purcell Marian 10, Fenwick 4, East Clinton 2, Norwood 1, Chaminade-Julienne 1.

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

/J ÂŁ..

$ u..-):, u_<fL bA /'I

PIAY!Iatch i I

I Sycamore Senior Wide Receiver

Christiensen is one of several wide receivers quarterback Danny O'Grady will target in a new spread offense. The Aviators were hit hard by graduation and are looking to shake things up to make a splash in the always-challenging Greater Miami Conference. .

~ CHCA Senior Quarterback ,

Huxtable threw for 2,000 yards in 2002 as the Eagles went 10-0 in the regular season and made the school's first-ever playoff appearance. He leads a squad that features eight returning starters who averaged 37 points a game last year, including Robbie Wilson, who rushed for 1,000 yards.

Blake

CARI'ER Moeller Senior Wide Receiver

~~-·:.:

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speed and consistency while teaming with Bill Cleary as favorite targets for quarterback Ben McGrath .. The Crusaders had a 7-3 regular season and reached the playoffs in 2002, but want to. get out of the first round in 2003.

Ben

DBIWJI Cincinnati Country Day Senior Tight end/ Defensive end

Diesbach is one of several seniors for the Indians, along with . classmates like · receiver Jarrod Ward, center and nose guard Rob Scallan, lineman Spike Anness and defensive back-running back John Acklen: "We are a young group, but most of our players have played N for two years and a couple have varsity experience," Diesbach said. "I. think everybody will be ready to step up."

Jesse

liES

Kings Senior Quarterback

Imes has the unenviable task ofha'Ving to replace All-Everything quarterback Brad Maurer. But Imes, who was on the receiving end of many of Maurer's passes last year, looks like he is up to the task. "His biggest strength is his speed, but people are going to be surprised," said Kings head coach Andy Olds. "He's got a very good arm."

........

Matt

Mason Senior Defensive back

Watkins is a three- year starter in the secondary. He is one of 10 returning ~tarters and one of26 seniors on a deep,. experienced Comets roster. ·'They've been doing all the little things we've asked them to do," said Mascin head .coach Garry Popovich. 'They've been working hard in the weight room.

We've given them some leadership duties and they're handling it pretty

· wen:·

'

Division I poll Rank-team 1. Colerain (6)

points

78 2. St. Xavier (2) 69 62 3. Elder 4. Anderson 59 48 5. Oak Hills 29 6. Lakota East 7. Middletown 28 8.lebanon 26 9. Winton Woods 15 13 10. Mason F>rst-p'xe \'OtM

11')

PJ'rt"Mtheses

Colerain holds No.1 ranking in Division I For the second straight week, the Colerain Cardinals were voted No. 1 in the Enquirer's Division I coaches' poll.

For the third straight week, a new No. 1 emerged in Division 11-VI. Colerain received six of eight firstplace votes to claim the top spot. St. Xavier received the other two first-place votes and moved up a spot to No. 2 after defeating nationally ranked Louisville Trinity 24-17 Saturday in the Ryle Sports Festival. Trinity was ranked f

No.4 by USA Today.

Elder dropped one spot to No. 3 af. ter falling to Indianapolis Warren Central45-20. Warren Central was ranked No. 16 by USA Today.

In Division 11-VI, Wyoming earned 10 of 11 first-place votes. Wyoming is the third team to receive the No. 1 billing. Kings was the preseason No.1, and Roger Bacon held the top spot last week before losing 28-0 to Wyoming.

?jz/.-. ·.~.

-i .... -

- John Schutte

I Divisions II-VI Rank-team 1. Wyoming (10)

points

2. Edgewood 3. Roger Bacon (1) 4. Kings 5.loveland 6.CHCA 7. McNicholas 8. Clinton-Massie 9.1ndian Hill 10. Reading F~rst·pt.:~ce ~ote3 •rJ

part•nthescs

...

109 84 66 62 59 51 46 38 25 24

,.

Coombs surprised Colerain's ranked No. I The Cincinnati ~nquirer

Despite earning seven of 10 first-place votes, defending state champion Elder fell from the top spot in the Enquirer's first of 10 weekly coaches polls.

The Panthers yielded theN o. 1 spot to Colerain, which trounced Boone County 42-6 Saturday night. Elder defeated Winton Woods 33-14 in its opener.

"How'd that happen?" Colerain coach Kerry Coombs said. "I voted for Elder, not to underrate our team, but out of respect for the Division I state champions. In my opinion, they're No. 1 until they

Division I poll

Division II-VI poll

Team 1. Colerain (2)

Team 1. Roger Bacon (4)

points

90 2. Elder (7) 88 3.Andeffion 75 3. St. Xavier (1) 75 5.0akH~~ 58 6. Lakota East 50 7. Lebanon 39 8. La Salle 18 9. Middletown 16 10. Moeller 16 Others: Winton Woods 12, Mason 8, Sycamore 4, Hamilton 1 ( ) indicates fiffit-place votes

get beat."

Elder coach Doug Ramsey was philosophical. 'That is how polls are; things change from week to week," Ramsey said. "I feel we beat a good Wmton Woods team.

It doesn't matter where you are in week one, we still have nine weeks to go. It only matters where you end the season."

Division II also has a new No. 1.

...

points

92 2. Wyoming (3) 85 3. Kings (3) 75 4.Edgewood 56 5. McNicholas 54 6. Clinton-Massie 30 6.CHCA 30 8. Indian Hill 25 9. Loveland 25 10. Reading 23 Others: Glen Este 19, Harrison 8, Purcell Marian 8, Mount Healthy 7, Mariemont 6, New Richmond 3

Roger Bacon captured the top spot with four first-place votes after walloping Division I Princeton for the first time in 13 tries 30-6.

"It's nice to be voted No.1 by the coaches; the kids enjoy it," Roger Bacon coach Dan Starkey said. "But sometimes that No. 1 ranking is the kiss of death. If we beat Wyoming (Friday), we will have a legitimate claim to No.1."

keeps eyes on state playoffs

JEFF ELKUS CONTRIBUTOR SUBURBAN@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

The Moeller Crusaders have their eyes focused on a state playoff run after losing to Dayton Wayne in the first round of the 2002 postseason.

A 7-4 overall record is nothing to be ashamed of for most teams, but not good enough for the Crusaders.

Head coach Bob Crable enters his third season and is looking to his veterans for a spark.

Senior Ben McGrath is the starting quarterback and is responsible for increasing the offensive production. ''Personally, I want to be. a leader on the team to help them accomplish their goal,' McGrath s.aid. "I think we have to come

Ji\1 01\E:-<S/COt.TR!BUTOR

Moeller High School wide receiver Blake Carter will be a deep threat this season for the Crusaders.

out with more confidence in the game knowing that we're going to w~~· rather than playing not to lose.

The Crusader~ graduated five starter~ on offense, but still have some fire power.

Running backs Grant Widmeyer and Pat Watt are newcomers, while wide receiver Blake Carter brings speed and consistency: Bill Cleary is another passing option for ~1cGrath.

Chris Reisert is the backup quarterback.

"Chris might be a kid that can put us in a position to win yuite a few football games," Crable ~aid.

Zach Smith, Jimmy Tull, Dan Driscoll and Neil Wunder are on the line and have to prove themselves up front for the offense to run smoothly.

Defensively. the team lost only three or four starters from

JIM 0wENS/CONTRtBLTOR

Zach Smith Is one of the anchors on the Moeller High Sctlool offensive line.

la!>t year, mostly on the defensive line. Ryan Lukens, a senior middle linebacker, anchors the D. "Our team has been working hard over the summer." Lukens said. "We're coming together finally. We're looking to do very well this season."

Beau Goodhart, David Starvaggi. Jimmy Hollenbeck, Derico Murray, Stephen Chapart, and Dannel Shepard all should see playing time.

There is a six-man competition for four defensive line spots, including Mike O'Keefe, Matt Tennant, Mike Buckley, Will Murray, Patrick Farrell and Ryan Kernodle.

"This year we are going to try to control the defensive line of scrimmage," Crable said. "We have a lot to prme in being able to do that. Hopefully, these linemen will tum around this problem spot."

Special teams may be the team weakness and have been major preseason focus.

Crable has confidence in kicker Tyler Wehmann and

cemed about the coverage and return units.

For Moeller to beat St. Xavier and Elder - its the twc toughest foes in the Greater Catholic League South - the Crusaders have to grow up rather quickJy. "(We) just .'leed to p!ay smart and always kee? our ey.es on the prize," Lukens said.

MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL

;=" ;--· r(;·~~~\

h:r~th~tH

schedule Aug. 23 CrosstcMn Shauwdown

vs. Anderson, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 5 ·;>

·.·=·· ·~ '::; Sept. 28

EAST CENTIW. ,:,·;

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LaSALlE

Oct. 18 LAKEWOOD ST. EDWARD Oct. 25 PRINCETON • All games at 7:30p.m. unless noted.

Missed extra point drops Crusaders into OT los~., /<O/'i'/0.3 Bv' JEFF ELKUS · CONTRIBUTOR NESUBURBAN@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

The Moeller Crusaders showed their offensive firepower and defensive prowess against the Elder Panthers, but missed an extra-point to put the game into overtime and lost, 21-20. The Crusader drop to 4-3 and the Panthers are now 6-1.

"I think that these guys have earned some respect from a lot of people in the city after that game just because they played hard and got after it," said head coach Bob Crable.

There were many key plays in the game that influenced the outcome for the Crusaders. The major turning . point was the missed extra point at the end of the fourth quarter.

However, there was also blown coverage on blitzes and a penalty for having too many men on the field. Overall, Elder made the plays when it counted and Moeller came up short in the cru. cia! minutes.

"We were inside the 10-yard line three times and we came away with zero points," Crable said. ''We have to make sure that

Moeller High Scheol's' Martez Williams tries to pull away from an ·outstretched Elder defernder Oct. 3 at the Pit. Moeller fell 21-20 when Its extra point attempt was blocked with 1:22 left.

every time we are in that red zone that we get some points on the board. If we would have done that we probably would have won the football game."

Chris Reisert converted a 4yard run for a touch~own in the second quarter to belin the scoring. The next time lioeller put points on the board was in the fourth quarter, with two 4-yard touchdown runs by Martez

The Crusaders had· 391 yards of total offense and Williams and Reisert were two main reasons why. Williams had 17 carries for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Reisert completed 10 of 18 passes for 129 yards. He also had 7 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Bill Cleary was the receiving threat with 4 catches for 54 yards. Ryan Lukens and Beau

Willi lim~

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tha

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defense and each recorded a total of 6 tackles.

Moeller travels to St. Francis DeSales on Friday to take on the Stallions. The Crusaders need to win in order to keep their playoff h.ro..-""'-n ..,1: .. ~ ......

Wedne.sday, October 1, 2003

Crusaders set sights on league title

BY Ja:F Euws CoNrniBUTOR

NESUBURIW'.'@coMMUNITYPRESS.CXJM

The Moeller Crusaders' offensive rhythm remained steady against the LaSalle Lancers and the defense picked up the slack as Moeller won, 28-16.

The Crusaders ¡ improve their record to 4-2, while the Lancers fall to 3-3. Trailing 14-0 throughout much of the first half, Moeller struggled to move the ball efficiently and could not establish the run or the pass. Late in the second quarter, the Crusaders struck for their first points on a 35-yard pass from quartetback Chris Reisert to Neil Wunder.

"It was a pretty important play foc us and it showed that we were able to do something offensively," said head coach Bob Crable.

"I think it really gave our offense a little bit of a boost of confidence and helped us out for the second half' The second half began with Dan Barnes adding a 29-yard touchdown run and Grant Widmeyer contributing a 15-yard score. Widmeyer scored his second touchdown on a 1yard run in the fourth quarter.

The Crusaders gained 333 yards of total offense. Widmeyer rushed for

96 yards on 14 carries and recorded two touchdowns, while Barnes had 18 carries foc 96 yards and a touchdown.

Reisert completed 10 of 16 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown.

Wunder had five receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Beau Goodhart had six tackles, a sack, and an interception, plus Ryan Kernodle had five tackles and a sack At the midpoint of the season, the Crusaders' quarterback position remains a question mark, because of an injury to senior Ben McGrath.

"Certainly Ben being a captain for us and one of the team leaders, his presence is very important," Crable said However, Reisert has risen to the occasion, leading his team to a fourgame winning streak "I think last week, though, Chris Reisert really showed how important a junior can be, when he stepped in and helped bring us back," Crable said The Crusaders face off against the 4-1 Elder Panthers in a Greater Catholic League division clash at The Pit Moeller will try to nail down a conference championship, but must find a way to defeat the defending state champions.

1

.dGH SCHOOLS Today's schedule KENTUCKY BOYS SOCCER State Sectional CovCath vs. South Laurel at Scott, 7 p.m.

State football pairings DMSIONI

Regional Quarterfinals All Games at 7 p.m. Satunlay Region 4 18) Anderson 19-1) at Ill Elder 19-11 (5) Clayton Northmont (9-1) at 141 Mason 19-1) 171 La Salle 16-4) at 121 Colerain 110-01 (6) HuberHts. Wayne(9-1)at131 Moellerl7-3)

DIVISION II

Regional Quarterfinals All Games at 7:30 p.m. Friday

Region 8 (8) Vandalia Butler (6-4) at

Ill Edpwood

110-0) 151 McNicholas 17-3) at (4) Day. carroll (7-3) (7) Wilmington (B-2) at 121 Kings 19-1) 161 ML Healthy 18-2) at (3) Jackson (8-2) DIVISION Ill

Regional Quarterfinals AI Games at 7:30p.m. Friday Region 12 (8) St. Pans Graham (9-1) at (1) Kettering Alter (9-1) (5) Chaminade-Julienne (8-2) at (4) Newar1< Uc~ng Valley (9-1) (7) Valley View (9-1) at (2) Bellbrook (9-1) 161 Wyoming 19-1) at (3) St. Ma!YS Memcnal (9-1)

DIVISION IV

Regional Quarterfinals AI Games at 7 p.m. Satunlay Region 16 (8) Day. Oakwood {7-3) at Cfintoo-Massie

110-0)

{5) Plain City Jonathan Alder(7-2) at 141 Mari&-

mont 17-3) 171 Batavia 17-31 at {2) Ve!Sailles (10-0) (6) Spnng. Northeastern (7-3) at 131 Reading

18-2)

DIVISIONV

Regional Quarterfinals All Games at 7:30 p.m. Friday Region 20 181 Middletown Fenwick 17-31 at (1) Manon Pleasant (10-0) (5) Anna (9-1) at (4) at Cols. Academy (8-2) 171 Cin. HiDs Christian 18-ll at Paint Valley {10-0) 161 Jacobs 17-21 at Monal Ridgedale (8-2)

Final computer ratings COlUMBUS (AP) -The final weekly football computer ratlngs from the Ohio High School Athletlc Association. Ratings are by division and region with record and average bi-level points per game (top eight teams in each region advance to regional quarterfinals):

DMSIONI Region 4-1, Elder 19-1) 33.7710. 2, Colerain 110-0132.6660. 3, Moeller 17-3130.6310; 4, Mason 19-ll 29.7500. 5, Clayton Northmont _ (9-1) 28.8000. 6, Huber Hts. Wayne (9-1) 28.5500.

7, La Salle 16-41 24.3240. 8, Anderson 19-11

23.6000. 9, Princeton 18-21 23.1330. 10, St.

Xavier 16-3) 22.9247.

DIVISION II Region 8--1, Edgewood 110-0130.4000. 2, Kings 19-ll28.5000. 3, Jackson (8-2) 20.1610. 4,

Day. Carroll (7-3) 20.1000. 5, McNicholas 17·31 19.4000. 6, MI. Healthy 18-2) 18.8500. 7, Wilmington (8-2) 17.B500. 8, Vandalia Butler (6-4) 16.2000. 9, W"rthrow 16-4) 15.6750.10, Day. Dunbar (6-4) 14.9000. ·

DIVISION Ill

Region 12-1, ArchbishopAiter(9-1) 29.8500.

2, Bellbrook (9-1) 27.1000. 3, St Ma!YS Memonal (9-1) 26.2500. 4, Newar1< Ucking VaHey (9-1) 24.7000. 5, Day. Cham-Julienne (8-2) 23.3140. 6, Valley View (9-1) 21.6500. 7, St Pans Graham (9-1) 20.9000. 8, Wyoming 19-1) 20.4000. 9, Ross 17-3119.1000. 10, Circleville (7-3) 18.1000.

DIVISION IV Region 16-1, Ctinton-Massie 110-01 25.4080. 2, Ve!Sailles {10-0) 23.0000. 3, Reading 18-2) 18.1500. 4, Mariemolll 17-3117.2000. 5, Plain City Jonathon Alder (7-2) 16.9997. 6, Spnng Northeastern (7-3) 16.0000. 7, Batavia 17-31 15.5480. 8, Dayton Oakwood (7-3) 14.6500. 9, London (6-4) 13.2030. 10, Brookville (6-4) 9.9000.

DMSIONV

Region 20-1, Manon Pleasant (10-0) 22.9500. 2, 8ainbndge Paint Valley (10-0) 19.5500.

3, Monal Ridgedale (8-2) 17.7000. 4, Gahanna Cols.

Acad. (8-2) 17.6280. 5, Anna (9-1) 16.8500. 6, J&. cobs 17-21 16.459L 7, Cin. Hills Christian Acad.

18-ll 16.2025. 8, Middletown Fenwick 17-31 14.2000. 9, Arcanum {8-2) 14.1000. 10, Cols. Hart-

ley {5-5) 12.6060.

... ~-·-··--- ..·-·~-·--·---------~-----·--~-------

Panthers: Elder visits rival St. Xavier next From1B high school football game.

"It was a huge game because of the GCL, it gives us a chance to win the league next week and it also puts us in great position for the playoffs, so this was a big win for our program."

Glatthaar broke through the middle and streaked up field for a 37-yard touchdown run with 4:57 left in the game. The Crusaders contained him early, but Glatthaar finished with 81 yards on 13 carries.

Florian completed six of 11 passes for 95 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 81 yards on 13 carries, including a 13-yard touchdown run.

Moeller's 76-yard drive capped by Williams' 4-y<ifd touchdown tied the score at 1414 early in the fourth quarter.

Martez led Moeller with 17 carries for 116 yards.

"We didn't play as well as we have on defense, but we made enough big plays in crucial situations to get a win," Ramsey said. "I think that's what good teams do. You may not play your best, but you still find a way to win and I think that's what we were able to do tonight."

E-Wittwer 81 pass Florian (Hueneman kick) M-ReiSe~ 4 run( Wehmann kick) E-Fionan 13-yard run (Hueneman kick) M-W1Ihams 4 run (Wehmann kick) E~Giatthaar 37-yard run (Hueneman kick) M~Williams 4 run (kick failed) Records: ElderS-!. 2-0 GCL South; Moeller 4~3, 2·1.

Elder quarterback Rob Aorian scores to give the Panthers a 13-7 lead in the thirc quarter. Aorian rushed for 81 yards on 13 carries.

High school football

Polls Division I

No.ls brace for big tests 'l

' ' ¡.

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Colerain and Wyoming remained No.1 in the Enquirer football coaches' polls this week, with each team facing a big test Friday.

Colerain (&-O),No.lin Division I, will play host to No.4 Lakota East (6-0) in a Greater Miami Conference game. Lakota East is ().() for the first time since the school was formed in 1997, but the Thunderhawks know Colerain is the favorite. Both are 4-0 in the GMC. "Any time you play Colerain, you know you11 see an outstanding defense and an outstanding running game," Lakota East coach Greg Bailie said. 'They're an awfully good team, as always."

Wyoming (&-0), No.lin the Divisions II-VI poll, visits unranked Reading (4-2) in a key Cincinnati Hills League game. Reading (3-1 CHL) , is the defending league

Rank-Team 1. Colerain (10)

Record Points

100 6-0 2. Elder 5-1 88 3. Anderson 6-0 79 4. lakota East 6-0 65 4-1 57 5. St. Xavier 6-0 46 6. Lebanon 32 7. Oak Hills 5-1 8. Winton Woods 4-2 29 9. Princeton 5-1 25 10. Moeller 4-2 23 Others: Mason 5, Hamilton 1

Divisions II-VI Rank-Team 1. Wyoming (10)

Record Points

6-0 100 2. Edgewood 6-0 89 3. Kings 5-1 67 4. Loveland 4-2 53 5. Glen Este 4-2 48 6. CHCA 5-1 44 7. Indian Hill 5-1 35 8. McNicholas 3-3 27 Tie CI-Massie 6-0 27 10. Roger Bacon 3-3 18 Others: Mount Healthy 13, Norwood 8, Purcell Marian ?Fenwick 5 champion, while Wyoming (4-0 CHL) will seek coach Bernie Barre's 250th career win.

In the Division I poll, the top six teams remained the same.

In Divisions II-VI, Wyoming, \ Edgewood and Kings stayed 1-2-3.

Upsets jumble poll behind the top two Princeton replaces Anderson at No. 3 in Div. I .,1.,/o·.3

The clncinhatiEnquirer

The Enquirer's weekly prep football coaches' polls bear littie resemblance to last week, after several big upsets Friday.

Colerain and Elder remained Nos.1·2 atop the Division I poll, but the rest of Division I and the Divisions II-VI poll were scrambled by last week's results.

The most notable upsets: • In Division I, unranked Mason surprised No. 3 Anderson 17-14 to end the Redskins' 26-game regular season winning streak. Mason vaulted to No.6 in this week's poll, with

Anderson slipping to No.5.

• Also in Division I, unran· ked La Salle stunned No.5 St. Xavier 21-10. The Lancers jumped to No.9 this week, whileSt.Xavierfellintoatiefor No. 10with Lebanon. Lebanon, formerly No.6, was upset 7-6

by Dayton Carroll.

• Princeton jumped from No.9 to No.3 with its sixth straight win. Oak Hills improvedfromNo. 7toNo. 4with its sixth win in seven games.

• In Divisions II-VI, unranked Reading routed previous No.1 Wyoming 42-12. Reading jumped to No. 5 in this week's poll and Wyoming dropped to

No.7.

Edgewood, previously No. 2 in Divisions 11-VI, jumped to No.1 as it remained unbeaten at 7-0. Kings jumped from No.3 to No.2, and Glen Este, which upset Division I team Wmton Woods 34-28 in double overtime, jumped from No. 5 to No.3.

NORlliERN KENTUCKY: The Conner Cougars (6-0) are the third top-ranked team as many weeks, advancing from No.3 after Newport Central Catholic upset last week's No.1, Beechwood, 33-29. Beechwood took over the top spot after Highlands fell to Danville.

I Division I poll Rank-Team Record 1. Colerain (10) 7-0

2. Elder 6-1 3. Princeton 6-1 4. Oak Hills 6-1 6-1 5. Anderson 6. Mason 6-1 7. Lakota East 6-1 8. Moeller 4-3 9. La Salle 4-3 no. Lebanon 6-1 no. St. xavier 4-2 Others: Winton Woods 5; Middletown 4

..

Divisions 11-VI Points

100 90 64 60 55 53 49 26 16 14 14

Rank-Team

Record Points

1. Edgewood (7) 7-0 97 2. Kings (1) 6-1 66 3. Glen Este (1) 5-2 61 6-1 4.CHCA 53 5. Reading (1) 5-2 48 6. Loveland 5-2 47 7. Wyoming 43 6·1 8. McNicholas 4-3 38 6-1 9. Indian Hill 31 10. CI.-Massie 7-0 30 Others: Mount Healthy 14, Norwood 11, Roger Bacon 4, Mariemont 3, Fenwick 2, Batavia 1, Ross 1.

• MOELLER 42, COLUMBUS ST. FRANCIS DESALES 3The Crusaders recovered quickly from their heart· breaking loss to Elder last week, rolling to a 39-point win in Columbus.

Senior quarterback Ben McGrath was the key to Moeller's outburst, passing for 250 yards while taking part in three touchdowns.

In the second quarter alone, McGrath found receiver Neil Wunder from 45 yards out to get the Crusaders on the board, set up Blake Carter's touchdown run by completing a 44-yard bomb to Carter, and took care of the fmal score of the h~hi~elf with a 1-yard run. ,if}11 Jq3 MOELLER 0 21 14 7 42 atDESALES 3 0 0 0 3 D-Enders 35 FG M-Wunder 45 pass from McGrath (Wehmann kid<) M-8. CarterS run (Wehmann kick) M-McGrath 1 run (Wehmann kid<) M-Trainor 32 pass from McGrath (Wehmann kick) M-Widmeyer 1 run (Wehmann kick) M-Porta 1 run (M. Carter kick) Q-.t'l\ttk· Utwtl14t.r ~- 'l n..C:.;~~'-: .4..A

I,

··-·~------

---

Wednesday, November 12, 2003

A12 Northeast Suburban Li"'e

1

Cards stop Crusaders But Moeller season headed in the right direction Community Sports Editor Dave Schutte · 248-7570 dschutte@coMmunitypress.com

BY DAVE SCHUTTE

SPORTS EDITOR DSCHUTIE@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

J~.l

O.vcNs/Co'olRBCTOR

Quarterback Ben McGrath plunges Into the endzone with 1:23 seconds left In tile game to b ·lng Moeller within 7 points of Colerain. The ensu 'ng point after was no good.

J:\~ 0WENS/Co:.m:s~ro;,

Moeller fans celebrate after Tyler Wehman's field goal puts the Crusaders Into a 10-7 lead In the fl•st quarter of Sat night's playoff game.

A step in the right direction.

That's how Moeller football coach Bob Crable assessed the 2003 season that ended Saturday with a 30-23 loss to Colerain in the Region 4, Division I semifinals at UC's Nippert Stadium.

"Football is a nasty game and ultimately we have to develop a program that is consistent and plays with more intensity," Crable said. "I'd say we developed some nastiness this season after we started the at 0-2."

After an opening game loss to Anderson, also at Nippert Stadium, Crable and the Moeller coaching staff held a meeting with the players to clear the air on what was expected the remainder of the season.

Although the Crusaders also lost the second game, they rebounded by winning six of the next seven to earn a playoff berth. In a first round game last week, Moeller posted a comefrom-behind victory over Huber Heights Wayne before losing to Colerain.

"This group of seniors wanted to do it and worked very hard in the weight room and during practices," Crable said. "We didn't have to get on them in practice and ultimately, they had some success."

Crable, who played for Moeller under Gerry Faust, took over as head coach in 2001, posting a 5-5 record but failed to make the playoffs.

The Crusaders rebounded with a 7-3 record in 2002 and qualified for the post season, losing in the first round to Wayne by one point.

-·

l

J '' 0:;<\SjCc-;"il:a~ TC'< Moeller standout wide receiver Blake Carter hauls down a touchdown pass from quarterback Ben McGrath In the fourth quarter.

"Our first goal is always win the league (Greater Catholic League)," Crable said. "We would then like to make the playoffs and go on to win the state championship."

Claiming the big prize for eighth time (1975, '76. '77. '79.

'8tl. '82. '85) may be closer than many Crusader supporters realize.

"We're on track because each year we've gotten better."

Crable said. "The kids must believe in themselves, the coaches and the program to be successful. I think they have bought in to all three."

Crable pointed to Colerain's Kerry Coombs and Doug Ramsey at Elder as example of coaches who have sold the kids on the program.

"I admire what Kerry and Doug haw done with their programs." Crable said ... It's one thing to get to the top and another to stay then.•. Both havt· :u.:cnmplisht:d thi~."

As for the loss to Colerain.

Crable looked to failing at the fundamentals as the main rcason.

"We missed quite a few tackles and struggled with their back (.Mister) Simpson and (Eric) Fitzpatrick." Crable said. "They (Colerain) are technically sound and we knew what they were going to do. If we had played optimum responsible football against the option. we would have been successful."

Colerain won the game in the third quarter, outscoring ~ocller 20-0 to take a commanding 3010 advantage.

"Other than the first series, we played well in the first half."

l J\~

0t:E';S/COVH3.J(;

Senior linebacker and team leader Ryan Lukens Is consoled afte Moeller's loss In the secor:d round playoff game by an unldentlfle' asststant coach.

Crable ~aiJ. "Th.:y certain!} won tht: third quarter anJ that was a great job. When ) ou.get down to a team like Colcrai1 you haYe to hustle. and our ..;,id~ foug.1t ha~d to get back. in it ..

The Cn sadcrs will be hit hard by graduation. but return quart.:rbat:k. Chri;; Rebert. rt nning ha~.:b. Dunid Barn~:-..

Martt.:t Williums and Pa! "Watt. alohg: \\oith lin<·men Matt Tcnmmt. Ryan O'Keefe and Brad Libu-.. lim:bad.crs Alex.

hl'gt:r and Derico :V1urray and ddensivc bad, Pat Farrell.

"We had -.o many injuries this year that we got the opportunity to play a lot of these younger kids," Crable said.

"They got some good game cxperiem:e and now it's up to these kids to step up for us next ) car to be successful." \llodler closed out the sea~en with an H-4 rl'cord. the best sin~.:c Crable took over.

Enquirer ,3/. . '"'- ... preseason "' coaches .polls ./' ....

(Rrst-place votes in parentheses) DMSION I -1. Elder (10) 136 2. Colerain (4) 126 ·3. St Xavier · 108 .- 4. Moeller 95 ,5.Anderson 81 6. Lakota East 37 "7. Princeton 35 ·8. Oak Hills . 32 :9. Lakota West • 30 10. Winton Woods 24 Othen: Middletown 17, La Salle 15. Lebanon 13, Sycamore 6, Mason 5, Hamilton 3. !

DMSIONS II-VI .1. Kings {4) 2. Readin~ (1) .3. Wyoming (2) 4. McNichOlas (1) :5. Harrison, :_ _ 6. Ro~er Bacon 7. CHCA (1) 8. Indian H1ll 9. Mount Healthy 10. Loveland

75 64 58 53 47 39 28 22 17 16

Othen: Badin 15, Edgewood 14, Manemont 12, Taylor 9, Glen Este 8, Ross 7, Cindnnati COUntry Day 6, Madeira 6, Deer Pari< 4, Purtell Marian 4, East ClintDn 3. Summ~ Country Day 3, North College Hin 3, Woodwan! 2, Clinton-Massie I.

Anneytown I

_)

'• , ~IJ... ' Moeller 11, t!J/,,JoJ · Lakewood Sl EdWard 14 Moeller's defense intercept- , ed St. Edward four times and the Crusaders held on to beat the the state's eighth-ranked ' team.

Free safety David Starvaggi had two interceptions, returning one ·47 yards for a touchdown. He also had six tackles. linebacker Beau Goodhart had 14 tackles and also had an interception.

Cornerback Jim Hollenbeck I ~rovided the fourth intercep'1

!

tion.

1

Moeller meets Princeton Fri- : day night at Lockland.

Moeller---··-..........._, St. Edwanls ••• _.,_,,.....

3 0

7 0

7 7

0 -17 7 -14

M-Wehmann 44 field goal M-Carter 1 pass from McGrath (Wehmann kick) 5-Spooner 2 pass from Skoczen (KieinsmiUI kick) M-Starvaggl4 7 Interception return (Wehma1111 kick) 5-Rooe 3 run fKietnsmith kick\

Vikings overwhelmed I Moeller 42, Princeton 13

lc- 2s---o3

Crusaders cruise right into playoffs For the Enquirer/ DICK SWAIM

Moeller's John Bunch draws a bead on Ptinceton's Jarrell Wil-

fiams in the first quarter Friday night.

Carter's TD return helps rout Princeton as Moeller rebounds from 0-2 begin:r:ting

' ' -I - ·:•

By rom -ci-ieschen

The Cincinnati Enquirer

For the Enquirer/ DICK SWAIM

Princeton QB Jarll'ell WlliiiB115 is brought down by Moeller's Dannel Shepard (36) in the first quarter of the Crusaders' 42-13 win Friday.

Playoff picture shaping up Area Div. I prospects strong with 6 locals in line for berths

By Carey Hoffman Enq11irer contributor

Six of the eight Division I football playoff berths in the region appear to be going to local teams, according to Harbin computer expert Steve Shuck, and they are the six he forecasted- Elder, Colerain, Moeller, Mason, La Salle and Anderson.

Anderson survived two scares for the eighth and final spot Oak Hills would have projected itseH into the playoffs if its upset bid Friday against Elder hadn't fallen short, and Princeton could have supplanted Anderson for the fi-

Inside Harmony has been cleared for now in eligibility probe. C11 nal spot if one more of its defeated opponents had won to deliver a shl:-tenth of a point second-level boost to the Vikings' Harbin point total.

Friday's biggest upset came in Division II with Glen Este's loss to Turpin. It appears to have set the stage for Wilmington to inherit the final playoff berth in the region, leaving the Trojans out ofthemix.

Edgewood, Kings and Mount Healthy all seem to

havesecuredplayoffspotsin Division II with victories Friday, as does Wyoming in Division Ill. In Division N, four local teams projected as being playoff-bound stayed on track Friday night- ClintonMassie, Reading, Mariemont and Batavia.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy appears to be in line for a Division V berth, but Fenwick's chance at the final playoff spot is unclear.

Two teams with strong playoff chances play today Division II McNicholas faces Purcell Marian and Division VJacobs Center meets Lockland.

Who's in, so far The following is GMC commissioner Steve Shuck's predictions on which local teams will make the playoffs. Check Monday's Enquirer for the OHSAA pairings, set to be released Sunday.

Division I In: Elder, Colerain, Mason, Moeller, Anderson, La Salle Division II In: Edgewood, Kings, Mt. Healthy, Wilmington Bubble: McNicholas (Needs to beat Purcell Marian today).

·Division Ill In: Wyoming Division IV In: Clinton-Massie, Reading, Mariemont, Batavia Division V In: None Bubble: Jacobs, CHCA, Fenwick Division VI - None

Moeller rallied from an 0-2 season start and ·stormed into the Division I playoffs Friday night, as it routed rival Princeton 42-13 before a capacity crowd at Lockland Stadium.

The 29-point margin was Moeller's biggest win in the storied series since 1982, when the Crusaders ripped Princeton 56-7 en route to their last mythical national championship (USA Today).

"We came back and played as hard as we can," Moeller coach Bob Crable said, referring to Moeller's stretch run this year. "When you've got offense, defense and special teams all clicking like that, you're tough to beat" Moeller's only loss since its 0-2 start was a 21-20 heartbreaker to defending state champion Elder.

Moeller, win or lose Friday, was projected to make the Ohio Division I playoffs according to computer expert Steve Shuck's analysis.

Princeton probably needed to beatMoellertomaketheplayoffs, Shuck said.

Moeller's Blake Carter returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown just before baHtime, sending Moeller to a 21-7 halftime lead and essentially breaking the game open. Carter, nephew of NFL great receiver Cris Carter and son of former NBA player and coach Butch Carter, also caught seven passes for 96 yards.

"I've never returned a kickoff for a touchdown," said Blake Carter, rated by recruiting analysts as among Ohio's top wide receiver prospects.

'To do it in the Princeton game is just awesome.

They're a great team, and it's always nice to beat them."

Moeller played ball-control offense and wore Princeton down up front See MOn.LER, Page ClO

Moeller: Crusaders roll in rivalry victory From Page Cl

The Crusaders showed several different defensive packages to keep standout Princeton quarterback Jarrell Williams off balance, holding Williams to 39 yards rushing (23 carries) and 103 yards passing on 1<H>f-20 attempts.

Williams did score once and threw for Princeton's other TD to Johnny Long.

Moeller held a 368-172 edge in total yardage, with 182 yards rushing and 186 passing. Moeller rotated quarterbacks Ben McGrath and Cris Reisert, who combined to go 17-of-27 for 186 yards, 1TD and 2 interceptions. McGrath was Moeller's top rusher with five carries for 53 yards.

Princeton (8-2) was ranked No.3 in the Enquirer Division I coaches poll and Moeller (7-3) was No. 5, but most considered Moeller the favorite.

The Crusaders had beaten Princeton in their last 12 meetings (Moeller now leads the series 35-7), leading Princeton to try a pregame psych job.

The Vikings didn't arrive at the stadium until 10 minutes before kickoff. Princeton tried to change its luck by staging pre-game warmup in its home stadium, with the Vikings' campus about a !().minute drive from Lockland, where Moeller plays home games.

"We were trying to do something different to get a mental edge," Princeton coach Brian Dodds said. "But then you've got to get a few breaks, and we didn't.

They just beat us up front, and they were much quicker up front. That was it."

Moeller scored first, on a 1-yard run by fullback Justin Porta to make it 7-0 with 11:08left in the first half. The Crusaders went up 14-0 on a 2-yard TD run by Chris Walsh with 3:32 left before halftime.

Princeton responded by driving and scoring on a 15-yard run by Wil• Iiams with 24 seconds left in the first half. That cut Moeller's lead to 14-7 and seemed to give Princeton momentum just before halftime.

But Moeller's Carter returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, giving Moeller a 21-7

For the Enquirer/ DICK SWAIM

Princeton coach Brian Dodds' of making the playoffs with the Vikings were nullified with the loss.

lead at halftime. on two more scores to make the Princeton had hope when Wil- rout complete.

Princeton •• _...........-.......... 0 7 6 0 - 1! liams threw a 9-yard TD pass to Moeller---·--··--··········· 0 21 7 14 - 42 Long with 8:38leftin the third quar- M -Porta 1 run (Wehmann kick) M -Walsh 2 run (Wehmann kick) ter. But when Moeller quarterback P- Williams 15 run (Feldhues kick) Garter 88 kickoff retum (Wehmann kick) Ben McGrath scored on a 4-yard MP- Long 9 pass from Williams (run failed) keeper to make it 28-13 late in the M - McGrath 4 run (Wehmann kick) 1 run (kick blocked) third period, deflating Princeton's MM -Porta -Wunder 5 pass from Reisert (Wunder run) comeback hopes. Moeller tacked Records: P 8·2, M 7·3.

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Moeller tops 8thranked Lakewood

BY JEFF ELKUS CoNTRIBUTOR NESUBURBAN@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM - - -

-- -

-

-

-

-

The Moeller Crusaders notched a significant victory over the No. 8 team in the state, the Lakewood St. Edward Eagles, to advance their quest for the playoffs even further.

They combined a great defensive effort and clutch offensive plays to win 17-14.

The Crusaders are 6-3 and the Eagles slip to 6-3.

One of the major turning points in the contest was a third quarter interception by David Starvaggi, which helped a struggling offense.

"Anytime the defense scores a touchdown it is a big play for us," said head coach Bob¡ Crable. The play by Starvaggi also aided a defense that was having a tough time.

Tyler Wehmann converted on a 44-yard field goal to open the scoring in the first quarter of play. Ben McGrath found Blake Carter in the end zone as they connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

Starvaggi completed the scoring on a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter.

The Crusaders had 185 yards of total offense behind the play of Pat Watt and Ben McGrath.

Watt rushed 13 times for 40 yards and Grant Widmeyer pitched in with 9 carries for 40 yards. McGrath completed 15 of 26 passes for 93 yards, a touchdown, and 2 interceptions.

Blake Carter led all receivers with 6 receptions for 35 yards.

Beau Goodhart came up with 14 Tackles and an interception and Dannel Shepard contributed with 9 Tackles and a sack on the defensive side of the ball.

The Crusaders are home against the 8-l Princeton Vikings on Friday, with a playoff berth on the line for both teams. The Vikings employ a spread offensive package and have great athleticism, speed, and agility.

Crable believes that these last games are important and said, "Like I tell the kids, these are all playoff games for us."

Moeller ready to face familiar rival T.Jc Cincinnati Enquirer

By John Schutte

Crusaders determined to avenge last season's loss -

The Moeller football team gets a chance at redemption Saturday in the first round of the state playoffs at Lockland High School.

Moeller (7-3), which will face Hubt'r Heights Wayne in the playoffs for the second straight year, lost to the Warri~>rs last season, 35-34 in uvcrtirne on a botched twopoint converi'ion attempt that would h<:vl~ won the game.

"If I had to do it over, I would have gone for two again," Moeller coach Bob Crable said. "I probably would

have called a different play, though."

After an 0-2 start, the Crusaderswon seven of their final eight games, including victories against St Xavier, La Salle, Columbus DeSales, Lakewood St. Edward (ranked No.8 in the state at the time) and Princeton.

"Wedugaholeearlyinthe season. It was frustrating as a coach, because I knew this was a good football team," Crable said. 'The East Centra1 game was a big win. We started taking everything one

High school action Indian Hill defeated Tipp City 2-0 in a Division II gir1s soccer regional semifinal. 84 game at a time."

'Team" defines Moeller, which doesn't have superstars or huge statistics from any one player.

'This team does not have one strength. The offense picks up the defense at times and vice versa," Crable said.

"One of the most gratifying as-

pectsofthisseasoniswehave developed as a team."

Moeller quarterback Ben McGrath, who missed the first seven games of the season with a hamstring injury, is back at full strength.

"We're feeling pretty good about playing Wayne again," McGrath said. "We're a better teamthanwewerelastyear."

The Crusaders will use multiple formations and spreadaroundtheballtokeep Wayne's defense off balance.

The defensive philosophy is similar: Show multiple for-

m~tions to confuse Wayne ..

They're a very athletic tcrun," McGrath said. "H we stick with our game plan, though, we will be able to drive the ball on them." linebackers Beau Goodhart and Ryan Lukens are the heart of the defense. Good¡ hart leads the team with 119 tackles and Lukens is second at 113. Strong safety David Starvaggi leads the team with fourinterceptions.

"We have come light years this season," Crable said. "We justneedtotakeonegameata time. Hopefully some teams will look past us since we've lost three."

, ..

Moeller coach Boh Cr:ablo and his Crusaders get a shot at payback when they face Huber Heights Wayne in the first round of the playoffs Saturday.

Moeller fell 35-34 in overtime in last season's playoffs to the same Wayne team.

Enquiror fiiO/SIE¡ VEN M. HERPPICH

~ .~.......

SKYLINE CHILl CROSSTOWN SHOWDOWN Anderson 20, Moeller 6

Suriano gets a winning break QB~;"2.Shoemaker, Anderson dominate favored Moeller •-// J -;; ·c,

:,

_./

By Toni Groeschen

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Anderson football coach \'lllce Suriano endured a long offseason, but Saturday's 20.6 whipping of Moeller washed away any residual blues.

The Redskins, ranked No.5 in the Enquirer Division I coaches poll, dominated No. 4 Moeller so thoroughly that Suriano did notrestrain his joy afterward. It was the marquee game of Saturday's five games in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at UC's Nippert Stadium, and most people - including 82 percent of Enquirer readers " . in an online poll- had picked Moel-

ler to win.

"We're a lot tougher than people think we are," Suriano said, smiling broadly. "We really rose to the occasion."

Anderson extended its regularseason winning streak to 21 games, dating to the last game of 2000 when it lost to St. Xavier. But Suriano still thinks about Anderson's history of early playoff exits, induding a first-round loss to Lebanon in 2002. · And then, he was head coach of an East team that lost 6-0 in the annual East-West all-star game this summer.

And then came Moeller for the season opener. Moeller, like St. X a

member of the powerhouse Greater Catholic South League, was considered an early acid test of where Anderson stood.

Critics say Anderson's schedule in the Fort Ancient Valley Buckeye Conference doesn't always prepare the team for postseason rigors, but that argument is shot for the moment.

"It means a lot to us, big-time," said Kurt Shoemaker, Anderson's senior quarterback. "It gains us some respect, but it's just one game toward the playoffs."

Shoemaker led Anderson to a 384-147 edge in total offensive yards. The 6-foot-3 senior also signi:fied Anderson's toughness by over-

coming a gashed neck suffered in the first half.

Shoemaker took three stitches to the neck at halftime and returned to finish the game. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 211 yards and also rushed 23 times for 78 yards as Anderson kept Moeller off balance with its spread offense. Suriano was one of the first Cincinnati coaches to adopt the spread a few years ago.

"We knew what they ran," Moeller coach Bob Crable said. "It's no secret what they do, and they executed it well. We certainly hurt ourselves on offense with some dropped balls and mistakes, but I credit Anderson. They beat us."

Moeller was without regular quarterback Ben McGrath, who sat out with an injured hamstring. Crable didn't use that as an excuse,

with Anderson also without one of its top players in injured running back Jeff Ganim.

Moeller's shining moment was the opening kickoff, when Pat Watt returned the ball85 yards to the Anderson 4-yard line.

Moeller scored on a 1-yard run

by Grant Widmeyer a few moments later for a 6-0 lead, but the Crusaders were unable to generate much offense the rest of the night against Anderson's gang-tackling defense.

"I'm kind of speechless right now,~ Suriano said. "We just made the plays when we had to."

Anderson.............................

Moeller_.............................

0 13 6 0

7 0

M-Widmeyer 1 run (pass failed) A-Brandyberry 2 run (Vortkamp kick) A-Weiss fumble recovery in end zone (kick failed) A-Fields 5 run (Vortkamp kick) Records: A 1-0, M 0-L

0 0

-20 1

-./

eNtJ.. / 0 fr1/o3

Shuck's projections

Moeller, Princeton making playoff bids Moeller and Princeton moved feated opponent's victories during into the Ohio Division I football the remainder of the season. playoff picture after last week's games, according to Harbin comDivision I, Reclon 4 T81111 ICumntl PnJjectld FIRal points puter expert Steve Shuck.

1. Elder 17·11 9-1 33.8 Moeller (5-3) and Princeton 2. Coleroill IS.OI 10.0 32.7 3. Clayton Northmont (7-1) 9-1 29.2 (7-1) were not projected to make 4. Huber Heights Wayne (7-1) 9-1 28.5 6-4 24.8 the playoffs before last week's 5. Moeller 15-31 9-1 24.2 6. Andenon 17-11 games, but Moeller drilled Co- 7. Prilicelon 17·11 8-2 23.7 Sale 15-31 6-4 23.1 lumbus St. Francis De Sales 42-3 8.9. ....

Mason 17-11 7-3 22.1 and Princeton beat Lakota East 10. Lebanon 17-11 9-1 20.7 14-7 to earn important points.

Division il, Region 8 Moeller jumped into the No. 5 re- Team ICumntl PnJjectld Final points Edpwood IS.OI 10.0 31.0 gional slot, and Princeton is No.7, 2.1. Klnp 17·11 11-1 28.0 based on Shuck's projections. The 3. Jackson (7-1) 9-1 23.4 4.

MI. Healthy 17·11 11-1 21.5 top eight teams in each region will 5. Dayton Carroll (5-3) 7-3 20.1 make the playoffs.

6. Vandalia Butler (5·3) 7-3 19.4 Dunbar (5-3) 7-3 19.3 Shuck, commissioner of the 8.7. Dayton McNicholas 15-31 7·3 18.3 7-3 18.0 Greater Miami Conference, has a 9. Glen Elle 15-31 11-2 17.3 weekly projection list used each 10. WilmlnlloR l&-21 Division Ill, Region 12 October by the Enquirer. Shuck Team ICumnll Projected Final points calculates final projections based 1. Chaminade-Julienne (7-1) 9-1 30.2 2.

Licking Valley (8-0) 10-0 27.7 on his predictions for the remain- 3. Valley VIew (8-0) 10-0 25.9 ing games. The regular season 4. St. Marys Memorial (7-1) 9-1 25.7 5. Kettering Alter (7-1) 8-2 24.1 ends on the Oct. 24-25 weekend, 6. Bellbrook (7-1) 8-2 22.2 9-1 21.8 and postseason play begins 7. Wyoming 17-11 8. St. Paris Graham (7-1) 9-1 20.8 Oct. 31.

9. Ross 16-21 7-3 18.5 · The top four teams in each reDivisiOn W, Region 16 gion will have home playoff open- Team ICumnll Projected Final points 10-0 24.9 ers, and the bottomfourwill travel 1. Clinton-.,. . . IS.OI (8-0) 10-0 22.5 for their first game. Shuck proj- 3.2. Versailles Reading 16-21 11-2 17.8 Mariemont 15-31 7-3 17.2 ects Elder and Colerain to alrtlost 4.5. Jonathan Alder (6·2) 7-2 16.0 certainly host first-round Division &.Batavia 15-31 7-3 15.1 7. london (4-4) 6-4 12.8 I games, with La Salle projected to 8. Spr. Northeastern (5-3) 6-4 11.6 visit Elder and Princeton to visit Division V, Region 20 Colerain.

T...., ICumntl Projected Final points Pleasant (8-0) 10-0 , 22.8 The Ohio High School Athletic 2.1. Marion Paint Valley (8-0) 10-0 19.2 Association uses the Harbin com- 3. Morral Ridgedale (7·1) 8-2 18.3 Academy (6-2) 8-2 17.5 puter rating system to determine 4.5. Columbus Anna (7-1) 9-1 16.8 football playoff participants. Frrst- 6. CIICA 16-11 11-1 16.4 15-21 7·2 15.8 level points are awarded for victo- 7.Jocobs 8. Arcanum (6-2) 8·2 14.5 ries; for example, victories over a 9. Fenwick 15-31 7·3 14.2 Division I school bring more Division VI, Region 24 Pnjected F'lllll points ,points than victories over Division Team ICumnll II schools. Second-level points al- No local teams contending. so are awarded, based upon a de-

Moeller notches Impressive victory tolt..S:I o3

~~~¡-ey JEf4:ELKus CoNTRIBUTOR

NESUBURBAN@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM --~--~~~-----~--

The Moeller Crusaders dominated every facet of Friday's game behind a prolific offensive assault and a determined defense and went on to defeat Columbus St. Francis DeSales, 42-3.

The Crusaders up their mark to 5-3 and the Stallions fall to 4-4.

"I think we did a pretty good job on both sides of the football," said head coach Bob Crable.

The big play of the night happened on the opening kickoff

whenMoeller put a tough hit on the Stallions. After the tackle, the Crusaders were fired up and that emotion carried over for the entire game.

"Certainly that had some type of impact on how the evening went," Crable said.

Ben McGrath hooked up with Neil Wunder for a 45-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to get Moeller on track. Then, Blake Carter contributed a 6-yard tol)chdown run and McGrath banged it into the end zone from a yard out.

The third quarter began with a 32-yard touchdown pass from

McGrath to Ryan Trainor. Grant Widmeyer ran in from a yard away and Justin Porta followed up with a 1-yard run to close out the scoring in the fourth quarter.

The Crusaders gained a whopping 504 yards of offense and were led by Martez Williams and Ben McGrath. Williams had 67 yards on 11 carries and McGrath was 10 of 16 passing for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns and an interception, as well as a rushing TD. Also, quarterback Chris Reisert completed 4 of 6 passes for 79 yards and an interception. Neil Wunder was the leading pass

catcher with 4 receptions for 107 yards.

Defensively, Beau Goodhart and Ryan Lukens were the shutdown guys again, tallying 8 tackles and 7 tackles respectively.

Next Friday the Crusaders are at home to host the Lakewood St. Edward Eagles, who are 5-1. With two games remaining, Moeller knows that to make the playoffs they need a win desperately.

"That will really give us an indication if whether or not we are going to be able to compete at the higher levels of the state;' Crable said.

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

High school football

Colerain, Edgewood stay at top : Colerain and Edgewood held their No. 1 positions in this week's , Enquirer football coaches' polls, as most games went true to fonn last weekend.

Colerain (8-0) defeated Hamilton 44-24 to remain a unanimous .No. 1 in the Division I poll. Elder (7-1) stayed No.2 with a 28-7 win over St Xavier, and Princeton remained No.3 with a 14-7 v.in over previous No.7 Lakota East Anderson (7-1) jumped one spot to No.4 in beating Walnut Hills 68-0. Oak Hills (6-2), previously No.4, slipped to No. 10 after being upset 26-23 by unranked Fairfield.

Mason (7-1) improved one spot to No. 5 by beating Amelia 43-0.

In Divisions II-VI, Edgewood (8-0) beat Fenwick 49-20 and No. 2 Kings (7-1) beat Northwest 42-14.

- The Cincinnati Enquirer

Division I poll Rank-Team 1. Colerain (8) 2. Elder 3. Princeton 4.Anderson 5. Mason 6. Moeller 7. lebanon (Tie) La Salle 9. Lakota East 10. Oak Hills

Record

Points

8-0 7-1 7-1 7-1 7-1 5-3 7-1 5-3

80

6-2 6-2

72 59 51

48 41 24 24 23 12

Others: Winton Woods 2, St. xavier 2, Middletown 1, Fairfield 1.

Did not vote: Sycamore, Hamilton.

Divisions 11-VI Rank-Team 1. Edgewood (6) 2. Kings ( 1) 3. Reading (1) 4.CHCA 5. Wyoming 6. Glen Este

7. McNicholas

Record

Points

8-0 7-1

87 68 67

6-2 6-1

7-1 5-3 5-3 5-3

B. loveland 9. Indian Hill (1) 6-2 10. CI-Massie 8-0

46 45

42 40 33 29 16

Others: Mount Healthy 10, Fenwick 5, Roger Bacon 4, Norwood 2, Ross 1.

Did not vote: Batavia.

Colerain, Edgewood rmish at top of polls ' ~/';1.: ~Ieo .3

The Cincinnati' Enquirer

Colerain and Edgewood, two monuments to sustained prep football excellence, have won their respective Enquirer football coaches' poll championships for 2003.

Colerain (10-0) was a unanimous choice Monday as No. 1 in the Enquirers final Division I poll. It is the Cardinals' third Enquirer title in the past four years.

Edgewood (10.0) was voted the Divisions II-VI poll champion, the program's third Enquirer title in the past five years.

Colerain coach Kerry Coombs won his sixth Enquirer city title since 1994. The Cardinals open the Division I playoffs vs. La Salle on Saturday. It's Colerain's fourth

f• I· t

t 108 Op eamS

Division I state champion, finished No.2 in the Enquirer Division I poll after winning Division I the city title in 2002. Moeller Rank-Team Rec. Pls. (7-3) surged from No.5 last 1.. CQierain 10-o ·ioa·· week to No.3 in the final poll.

2. Elder 9-1 90 In Divisions 11-VI, Edgett• wood took over the top spot in 3. Moeller 7-3 Week Seven. The Cougars alDivisions II·VI so earned their seventh con1.: Edgewood 10-0 96 secutive postseason berth and 2. Kings 9-1 84 begin the Division II playoffs 3. Reading 8-2 69 Friday vs. Vandalia Butler.

Edgewood coach Steve • Complete polls, D2 Channell sometimes sees his team fall under the media rastraight postseason appear- · dar, with Edgewood located ance. midway between Dayton and 'The city title is one of Cinciriilati. those things we put among "For us to be in northern our team goals every year," Butler County, and for the Coombs said. "I think Cincin- Cincinnati area to recognize nati football is as fine a football our program, it's a very posias anywhere in the country." tive thing for the community," Elder (9-1), the defending Channell said.

High school football

Playoff picture starting to take ·;~hape for locals ~,,,.,

?ly

':St. Xavier leads list of teams on bubble ~": .1ojz..d()3

;;By Tom Grle5chen ,~_The

·

Cincinnati Enquirer

11'·~--·

Divisibn I poll Rank-team

Rec.

si.~ St. Xavier remained alive for an 1. Colerain (10) 9-0

Pls.

100 Ohio Division I playoff spot with a 20- 2. Elder 8-1 90 C!17 upset of state No. 1 Cleveland St. 3. Princeton 76 8-1 · Ignatius, and the Bombers also re- 4. Anderson 64 8-1 llcjoi?ed the En.quirer coaches' Top 10 5: Moeller 56 6-3 {rtlus week.

6. Mason 8-1 55 Gf': • Still, St. Xavier will need some 7. Lakota East 7-2 36 ,help to make the playoffs, according 26 8. La Salle 6-3 8 ~to. Harbin computer ratings expert 9.

Lebanon 8-1 24 r Steve Shuck. Shuck, commissioner 19 10.

St. xavier 5-3 OCof the Greater Miami Conference, ~~makes weekly playoff projections Others: Oak Hills 4.

C'tbased on his predictions of the re1i.'maining games.

Divisions 11-VI · This week, the last of the 10-week 96 _regular season, finds several teams 1. Edgewood (6) 9-0 8-1 79 2. Kings (1) still on the bubble.

7-2 75 "St. Xavier needs another win and 3. Reading (2) 54 a little help," Shuck said. "It's defi- 4. Wyoming (1) 8-1 7-1 53 nitely just an outside chance. They 5. CHCA 42 ·can only raise their (computer) total 6. Clinton-Massie 9-0 7. McNicholas 6-3 35 oile-tenth of a point."

6-3 31 • , Shuck's analysis of Division I sees 8. Glen Este 5-4 29 Cincinnati's top two teams, Colerain 9. Loveland 6-3 18 and Elder, almost certain to open the 10. indian Hill playoffs at home. The top eight Others: Aiken 6, Woodward 6, Jacobs teams from each region make the 6, Batavia 5, Roger Bacon 5, Mariett:.playoffs, with the top four hosting mont 4, Fenwick Mount Healthy 3. tiJirst-round games. . .! Elder, ranked No. 2 in the Enquirer Division I poll, is projected to finish No. 1 by Shuck. Colerain, ranked slim hopes. They must beat HamilNo. 1 in the Enquirer poll, also has ton (4-5) this week, then wait for sev-' locked up a playoff spot and is proj- era! possible scenarios to develop. ected to finish No.2 in the region. ''We're going to need some help, •Shuck lists Moeller, Clayton but unfortunately we've got no conNorthmont, Huber Heights Wayne, trol over a lot of it," Rasso said.

Mason, La Salle and Anderson as finSt. Xavier last missed the playoffs ishing Nos. 3-8, respectively, to gain in 1996. With a myriad of possibilities regional playoff berths. Moeller en- based on who beats whom this Fri;"hanced its spot with a 17-14 upset of day, Shuck said St.Xaviermusthope rftstate-ranked No.8 Lakewood St. Ed- for some unlikely upsets in other iii"Ward Saturday. · games. The Enquirer will run ... • On the playoff bubble are Prince- Shuck's full projection lists on Friday 1 ~ ton, St. Xavier and Lebanon, Shuck for all local divisions. Playoff pairings ,41Said. Oak Hills would get back in the will become clearer after Friday J~,picture should it upset Elder Friday.. night's games, with the official post··/. St. Xavier coach Steve Rasso, season pairings announced by the ·whose team raised its record to 5-3 Ohio High School Athletic Associa-

3:

1,. ......... ,. .. ,.,.,.1~ l ....... ,.,.,.u" f.l..,.,. On..-v..l..,.,. ....""' h .... ,.,.,..

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C, • ..,.,l...,,.~

Crusaders into Ul' loss

~_ps , guys have from a lot of cer that game played hard tid head coach ny key plays in uenced the out..:rusaders. The point was the 11t at the end of r.

I I

However, there was also blown coverage on blitzes and a penalty for having too many men on the field. Overall, Elder made the plays when it counted and Moeller came up short in the crucial minutes.

"We were inside the 10-yard line three times and we came away with zero points," Crable said.

"We have to make sure that every time we are in that red zone that we get some points on the board. If we would have done that we probably would have won the football game."

Chris Reisert converted a 4yard run for a touchdown in the second quarter to begin the scoring. The next time Moeller put points on the board was in the fourth quarter, with two 4-yard touchdown runs by Martez Williams.

The Crusaders had 391 yards of total offense and¡Williams and Reisert were two main reasons why. Williams had 17 carries for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Reisert completed 10 of 18 passes for 129 yards. He also had

BRIAN JORG/CONTRIBUTOR

Moeller High School's Martez Williams tries to pull away from an outstretched Elder defender Oct. 3 at the Pit. Moeller fell 21-20 when its extra point attempt was blocked with 1:22 left.

7 carries for 50 yards and a ¡ touchdown.

Bill Cleary was the receiving threat with 4 catches for 54 yards. Ryan Lukens and Beau Goodhart were the stars on defense and each recorded a total of 6 tackles.

Moeller travels to St. Francis DeSales on Friday to take on the Stallions. The Crusaders need to win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

QB's return sparks Moeller victory

BY JEFF ELKUS

CoNTRIBUTOR LOVELAND@COMMUNITYPRESS. COM

The Moeller Crusaders combined a prolific offense that scored consistently with a stellar defense en route to a convincing victory over the Sandusky Blue Streak, 52-20.

Moeller moves to 2-2 on the

season and Sandusky dips to 1-3.

The key for igniting the Moeller offense was the return of quarterback Ben McGrath.

"Ben seemed to spark something in their with the guys that really seemed to help our offense," said head coach Bob Crable.

Moeller gained 335 yards of total offense behind rushing

1

leader Martez Williams and passing leader Ben McGrath.

Willia~s had 13 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown, while McGrath was 4 of 6 for I 03 yards and a touchdown. Pat Watt led all receivers with 2 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, D.J. Hlovchiec recorded 5 tackles and an interception and Beau Goodhart chipped in 4 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries. Pat Watt sustained a collarbone injury and will not play next week.

Beau Goodhart began the scoring in the first quarter with a 41-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Next, Dan Barnes punched it in the end zone from 4 yards out.

The second quarter started with a bang when Ben McGrath found Pat Watt for a 28-yard touchdown pass.

Martez

Bâ&#x20AC;˘ie.ly

9-/7-03 Williams added another score when he ran it in from 5 yards away. Dan Barnes tallied his second touchdown of the day, when he closed the first half with a 6yard touchdown scamper.

Chris Reisert came into the game in the third quarter and threw a strike to Chris Walsh for a 5-yard score. Then, Tyler Wehmann connected on a 31yard field goal and Justin Porta bowled his way into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

"We certainly had some good individual performances and when that happens good things are going to happen, especially if you sustain those things," Crable said.

Next Friday, Moeller faces GCL South foe St. Xavier Bombers, who are 4-0 on the season.

tf.tO

1-nv~~/ -/{~_

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

WE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 Cll

Moeller 10, St. Xavier 9

Backup QB leads Crusaders to win

By Mark Scbmetzer Enquirer contributor

Bombers lose senior RB, then limited to 253 yards

St. Xavier's reopening turned into a battle of the backups, and while Bombers junior running back Matt Feldhaus had more impressive stats, it was Moeller junior quarterback Chris Reisert who made the difference.

Reisert came off the bench to replace injured senior Ben McGrath and completed 9-of-15 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown as the Crusaders ruined the first football game at renovated St Xavier Stadium with a 10-9 upset of the Bombers on Friday night.

Reisert hit senior Blake Carter with a 10-yard pass in the second :tuarter, llnd the Moeller defense

ganged up on a St. Xavier offense that lost its most dependable player early. The Crusaders limited the Bombers to 253 yards of total offense.

"It's been two years since we've beaten Elder or St. Xavier," said Moeller coach Bob Crable, whose team earned its third consecutive win after losing its first two games of the season. "As far as finding a way to win, we got better tonight.

Weknewitwouldbeaclosegame."

"When you get into the GCL, you never know what you're going to get," said St. Xavier coach Steve Rasso.

The Bombers ha,$1 won their first

-----

four games of the season while waiting to open their expanded new home, complete with artificial turf.

They were ranked fifth in the state Associated Press Division I poll and second in the Enquirer's Division I coaches' poll.

Turnovers and defense teamed up to keep both offenses stymied for most of the first half. St. Xavier wasn't helped by the loss of leading rusher Elliot Walker with an injury to his right leg on the fourth play of the game.

Walker was hurt trying to convert a fourth-and-one near midfield.

St. Xavier, which was averaging 297" yards of total offense going into the

game, could compile only 84 yards in the first half.

The deepest Bomber penetration reached Moeller's 32-yard line, but Ryan Casey's 49-yard field-goal attempt fell short.

"It hurt to lose Elliot," Rasso said. "Feldhaus came in and did a great job, but when you lose your senior running back, it hurts."

The Bombers couldn't capitalize on two first-half interceptions, but the Crusaders were able to convert the only turnover they caused into the halfs only score. · St. Xavier junior defensive back Ryan Schmidtz fumbled a punt, which was recovered by Moeller's

Mike Rummier at the Bombers' 39yard line. Moeller converted with Reisert's 10-yard pass to Carter in the right comer of the end zone.

The Crusaders got another break after punting on their first possession of the second half.

Schmidtz, who was trying to get away from the bouncing ball, slipped on the artificial turf and the ball glanced off of him.

Moeller junior Derico Murray pounced on the ball at the Bombers 23-yard line, and senior kicker Tyler Wehmann gave the Crusaders a 10-0 lead with a 34-yard field goal with 8:33 left in the third quarter.

St. Xavier responded with a 12-

play drive that was salvaged by Robby Schoenhoft's 12-yard pass to Dylan Gaffney on third-and-10 at the Bombers' 29. The Bombers then ran the ball on six consecutive plays, before Feldhaus - who gained 131 yards on 21 carries went the final nine and scored with a lunge that broke the plane with the ball.

St. Xavier cut the deficit to one point on Casey's 27-yard field goal following Steve Uphaus' interception in the fourth quarter, but Schoenhoft'sfumblethwarted a later drive.

-..............................

0

7

3

0 ··10

St. x..lor.•....•.....-............. 0 0 6 3 M- Ca~er 10 pass ~om Reisen(Wenmann kick) M - Wenmann 34 FG X- Feldhaus 9 run (kick failed)

X- Casey 27 FG Records: M 3-2 (1-0 GCLS), X4-1 (0-1 GCLS).

- 9

Moeller 42, Col. St. Francis DeSales 3 Ben McGrath passed for 250 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another TD.

Neil Wunder led all receivers with seven catches for 100 yards and one touchdown. lloeller ·-·-·-.....-......

leSales--·-·--·-···-

0 21 14

7

3

0

0

0

-42 -3

Division 1: Colerain 30, Moeller 23

A, slow start,· but fast finish The Cincinnati Enquirer

Undefeated Cardinals outrush Crusaders 413-30

Colerain has a way of taking close football games and, just like that, quickly ending the suspense.

It got a little too suspenseful for Cardinals fans Saturday night, but the result was a 30-23 victory over Moeller in the Division I regional semifinals before 10,378 fans at UC's Nippert Stadium.

Colerain, which has started slowly in several games this year, broke away from a 10-10 halftime tie to lead 30-10 after three quarters.

Moeller scored twice in the final period to make it interesting, the final TD with 1:25 left to make it 30-23.

But Daniel Magness recovered an

onside kick to end it.

Junior fullback Mister Simpson rushed 23 times for 218 yards and four touchdowns as the Cardinals held a staggering 413-30 edge in rushing. Quarterback Erick Fitzpatrick backed Simpson with 24 carries for 168 yards rushing.

'That's what we do," Simpson said of Colerain's triple-option running game. 'We did what we had to do, and that's run. Nothing out of the ordinary."

Colerain will meet Elder in Saturday's regional final, at a neutral site to be announced today by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

By Tom Groeschen

OHSM representatives at Saturday's game said Nippert Stadium is the likely site.

Colerain dominated with its trademark triple-option attack. The Cardinals overcame 14 penalties and a blocked punt. · Colerain's jet-quick defense also played its part. The Cardinals had been limiting opponents to only 66 yards rushing per game and gave Moeller virtually nothing. Colerain plugged every gap and was frequently in Moeller's backfield before the Crusaders got a play going. ''We couldn't stop their ground game," Moeller coach Bob Crable

said. ''We didn't play very well, and they played really well. That's what it comes down to."

'We do what we do offensively, and defensively I think we made some big plays like the fumble recoveries (two) and the picks (two)," Colerain coach Kerry Coombs said.

'We had some breakdowns that were frustrating on defense, but you're playing the best people in the state now. We're happy to still be playing."

Colerain was ranked No. 1 in the final Enquirer Division I coaches' poll of the regular season and No.3 in the final state poll. Moeller was

No. 3 in the final Enquirer poll and tied for No. 12 in the final state poll.

Colerain held a 439-283 edge in total yards, with the Cardinals throwing a typically low total of four passes and completing two for 26 yards. Moeller was 16-of-26 passing for 253 yards, with Ben McGrath throwing for 207 yards and a TD with two interceptions.

Moeller······-····-··-·-- 107 30 Coloroln----·-··-·-· M·Carter 91 kickoff return (Wehmann kick)

0 13 20

C-Simpson I run (Schutte kick) M-Wehmann 46 FG C-Schutte 41 FG C-Simpson 2 run (Schutte kick) C-Simpson 2 run (Schutte kick) C-Simpson 6 run (kick failed) M-Carter 24 pass from McGrath (Wehmann kick) M-McGrath 10 run (kick failed) Records: M 8-4, C 12-0.

0

-23 -30

Moeller 14, Huber Heigbts Wayne 10

McGrath's late TD pass caps Crusaders rally

By David Clark

1 · •

Enquirer contributor

~

•

·

1

Saturday's playoff rematch between Moeller and Huber Heights Wayne featured another exciting finish.

But this time the Crusaders prevailed, avenging last year's heartbreaking loss in dramatic fashion with a 14-10 win Saturday night at Lockland Memorial Stadium.

Ben McGrath's 17-yard touchdown strike to Neil Wunder with 26 seconds remaining gave the Crusaders the come-from-behind victory. The result was a far cry from the 35-34 shootout the two teams staged a year ago.

Moeller earned its eighth win in its past nine games to advance to a meeting with Enquirer coaches' poll champion Colerain, which defeated La Salle 45-21.

The Crusaders scored all14 of their points in the fourth quarter.

Matt Whited's 44-yard touchdown strike to Greg Orton with 1:56 remaining had given Wayne a 10-7lead. But its prevent defense couldn't halt the Crusaders' twominute drill.

Both defenses impressed throughout the first half. While

the Warriors held Moeller to fewer than 100 yards of total offense in the half, the Crusaders' defense recorded a number of timely sacks to stifle Wayne drives.

Wayne's offense early on revolved around Thomas Mauser, who led the Warriors to a Greater Western Ohio Conference East title with 1,675 all-purpose yards during the regular season.

The Crusaders' defense started with a key stop.Alex]aeger's sack halted the Warriors' first drive of the game at midfield. Wayne's defense was equally impressive in stifling the Crusaders' first drive.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, a fourth-and-1 at the Wayne 23, Williams picked up first-down yardage. The sophomore running back then picked up 15 yards on three plays to set up McGrath's 5-yard keeper for a 7-3 lead with 9:53 remaining.

Wayne answered on Orton's44yard touchdown catch to take its short-lived 10-7 advantage.

Wayne 3 0 -10 Moeller 0 0 -14 0 W-Eby38FG M - McGrath 5 run (Wehmann KicK) W- Orton 44 pass from Whited (Eby KicK) M -Wunder 17 pass from McGrath (Wehmann KicK) Records: M (8-3), W(9-2)

By tJ!_~ numbers, Crusaders face a challenge ----- ~~zc.3

BY AVE

HUTTE

SPORTS EDITOR DSCHUTTE@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

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If statistics alone determine the football games, outcome of Colerain can check off a victory over Moeller long before the two powers meet at 8 p.m. Saturday at UC's Nippert Stadium in a second round Division I playoff game.

On paper, Colerain appears to be the dominant team in every category, starting with offense and ending with defense.

En route to an 11-0 record, Colerain has amassed 3,987 yards rushing and 303 through the air while scoring 467 points and giving up 134 points.

Moeller's statistics are less impressive than the Cardinals, but against a tougher schedule.

The Crusaders won eight of 11 games, allowing 171 points while scoring 275. The offense averaged 156.2 rushing and 147.8 passing for 304 an outing during the 10 regular season games.

The last time the teams met was the first game of the 2002 sea-

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BRIAN LOWE/CONTRIBUTOR

Grant Widmayer dives for a first down In Moeller's 14-10 win over Huber Heights Wayne In weekend playoff action. The Crusaders next face Colerain at 8 p.m. Saturday at UC's Nippert Stadium.

son in the Cross Town Shoot-out at Nipp<:;rt Stadium. The Crusaders rallied late to post a 21-14 upset, handing Colerain its only loss during the regular season.

"I don't recall ever playing Moeller in the playoffs," Moeller athletic director Barry Borman

said. "We're happy the game will be played at Nippert Stadium."

Colerain and Moeller have one corllinon opponent_ La Salle.

Moeller defeated the Lancers 28-16 the sixth week of the season while Colerain dominated the Lancers twice, 45-21 la<>t week in

a fitrst-round playoff game and 3521 t~e previous week. .

Smce Kerry Coomb~ look over at Colerain, the Cardinals have run an option offense with quarterback Eric Fitzpatrick (1,330 yards mshing) and tailback Mister Simp.son (I ,285) the second and third leading rushers in the Greater Miami Conference.

Fitzpatrick seldom throws the ball but is extremely accurate. completing 18-of-35 for 303 yards • and five touchdown~.

Mneller, winners of eight ofth.: last nine games after stmting the sea<>on at 0-2, counters with the quarterback duo of Chris Reisert (72-of-131 for927 yards) and Ben McGrath (39-of-67 for 542 yards).

Dan Barnes is the top mshing back with 470 yards on I 13 carrie~ while McGrath is also a threat on the groun~. . ~~e wmner ?dvances to th_e DIVISIOn 1, RegiOn IV champions~ip on Saturday, Nov. 15, agamst the Elder/Clayton · Northmont winner at a site to be named Sunday by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

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Northeast Su6urban Life A7· .

Moeller to stick \\fith 2 QBs in playoffs

BY DAVE SCHUTTE SPORTS EDITOR

DSCHUTIE@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

Many football coaches have tried platooning quarterbacks but the strategy usually fails.

Bob Crable, Moeller's head coach, plans to stick with this strategy next week in the first round of the Division I playoffs after successfully experimenting with the system Friday in an impressive 42-13 victory over Princeton.

"Ben McGrath was our projected starter but has been hurt all season," Crable said. Moeller put him into the lineup and he played some against La Salle, and did well Friday against Princeton.

Over all, McGrath and season-long starter Chris Reisert combined for 17-of-27 completions for i 86 yards and one touchdown. McGrath was also the Crusaders leading rusher, with 53 yards on five carries.

The Crusaders play Huber Heights Wayne Saturday (7 p.m.) at Lockland the first round of the Division I, Region 4, playoffs at Lockland Stadium. The game is 1 a rematch of last year's first round game that the Warriors won by one point in overtime when Moeller failed to convert on a two-point conversion.

"Going with two quarterbacks could a problem for Wayne's defense," Crable said.

"Both have different styles. Ben is more physical while Chris has more finesse."· After losing the opening ' game to Anderson at the ' University of Cincinnati's r Nippert Stadium in the Skyline Chili Showdown, Crable held a

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tough against Anderson," said Crable, a former Moeller, Notre Dame and professional line~~ backer. "We told the guys that·' they will play tough and hard ' football. This wasn't a threat or a" promise but a way of life at Moeller." · Although the Crusaders lost the second game of the season to ' Louisville St. Xavier, Crable • noticed a big difference.

"We found a way to lose that · game but the kids played hard,'~ · Crable said. "We followed with a victory over East Central (Ind.)'· in a tough and physical game:·' That seemed to tum the season." · Moeller went on to post a 7-3 ' record, losing only to Elder on a · botched extra point attempt late ·: in the game.

Crable vividly remembers last ' year's game against Wayne and · knows that the Warriors have ' speed to bum and are also very physical on the·defensive side of ; ' the ball.

Wayne relies heavily on · Thomas Mouser, a speedy back who rushed for 1,047 yards and~;. scored 20~plus TD's. .

"We're going up against the ' same type of Wayne footbali team as last year," Crable saict:•·: "From what I know, they will run'' the ball a little more and not pass·' as often." · Moeller's defense has been outstanding against the run.":· holding Princeton's Jarreltj Williams to 39 yards while limit- : ing Elder's Bradley Glaathaat · under 100.

BEN WALPOLE/STAFF The winner of the .

Moeller High School senior defensive lineman Will Murray the--.

Moeller/Wayne game plays celebrates a lrst-quarter sack of Princeton quarterback Jarrell winner of the Colerain!La Salle Williams Oct. 24 at Loclldand Stadium. game Saturday, Nov. 8, at a neu~ ·' team meeting to clear the air and der of the season. tral site to be announced by the set the guidelines for the remain"The ki.ds didn't play hard or OHSAA on Sunday. · ' 1

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The Cincinnati Post,

Saturday, October 25, 2003

f1IGF1 SCFiOOL FOOTBALl WEEK lO

Carter key to Moeller win Crusaders roll past Princeton Post staff report

Senior receiver Blake Carter had eight catches for 103 yards and a key second-quarter, 88yard kickoff return for a touchdown as Moellet beat Princeton, 42-13, Friday night at Lockland stadium.

Moeller has beaten the Vikings 13 consecutive years.

The Crusaders have won seven of eight since starting the season 0-2 and are likely to make the Division I playoffs. Princeton had an eight-game winning streak snapped and will likely miss the playoffs.

Carter ran the kickoff back after Princeton had cut the Crusaders' lead to 14-7 with 24 seconds remaining in the ftrst half. Moeller had found the end zone twice in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead.

Moeller senior quarterback Ben McGrath had 62 yards rushing on four carries. Chris Reisert was 9-for-13 passing for 110 yards and a touchdown while splitting time with McGrath, who has been nursing a hamstring injury all year.

PRINCETON 0 7 6 0 13 MOELLER 0 21 7 14 42 M-Port.a I run (Wehmann klcl<) M-Walsh 2 run (Wehmann kick) P-WIIIIams 15 run (Feldhues kick) M-C.rter 88 kickon retiJm (Wehmann kick) P-lon& 9 pass hom Williams (run failed) M-McGrath 4 run (Wehmann kick) M-Porta I run (kick blocked) M-WUnder 5 pass hom Reisert (WUnder pass hom Reisen) Raconls: Moeller 7¡3. PrlncetDn 8-2.

JIM OSBORN/The Post

MoeHer sentor Blake Carter and the rest ofthe Crusaders ran past Princeton, 42-13. With the win_ MnPIIPr imnrnvPC::. tn

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Eagles' scorers wilt under Lancers' defensive pressure La S~ll~ limits them to 32 percent shooting in 54-34 win (

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By Carey Hoffman · Enquirer Contributor

After scouting Chaminade-Julienne a week ago, La Salle coach Dan F1eming couldn't have been more impressed.

"I wasn't sure after what I saw last Sunday that we should even show up today. They were that good," F1eming said of the Eagles, the preseason favorite in the Greater Catholic League North. "But after giving it a little time, you find a hole or two in what they do that you might work on."

After 32 minutes of strafing by La Salle's pressure defense, C-J was full of holes, setting up a 54-34 Lancers victory in the first game of the GCL's Garden Party Saturday at Cincinnati Gardens.

La Salle, No.3 in the Enquirer'~ Division I area coaches' poll, used pressure defense to hold C-J (1-1, 0.1 GCLN) to just 32 percent shooting and force 20 turnovers.

"Defense is our key thing - our pressing ability, getting after it, our scrappiness," said La Salle's Justin Orr, who led his team with 19 points and nine rebounds. "It's fun to play if you're good at it, and we've been doing it for so long, our guards are really good at anticipating."

La Salle's style is the same F1eming has always coached. The Lancers held their first two opponents this season to 41 points each. The Lancers (3-0, 2-0 GCLS) never trailed after scoring the game's first eight points. Orr gave them a big boost with a pair of driving baskets in the final 20 seconds of the first half, resulting in a 29-20 LaSalle halftime lead.

The game's key sequence came when Orr went to the bench after picking up his third foul with 4:16left in the third quarter and the lead at 33-24.

An Eagles opportunity to get back into the game fell apart as the Lancers increased their defensive pressure, producing three straight turnovers.

1\vo turned into Colin F1ynn baskets, including a 3-pointer that pushed the La Salle lead to 40.24.

"We were playing the way we know how to play," F1ynn said. "We came out strong and hit the shots we didn't hit at the beginning.~ C-J never cut the lead to less than double-digits after that CIIAMINADEIUUEMNE11·1,0.1GI.CN)-B!llo;c 5214, DeM C 3 3. ?d!' ::0.3 2 9 Potte•l 0 2 S~cn· 2 0 4. T""'"' I 0 2. TctJh 1J 7 34 LASAW 13-0; 2.0 GlCSI '.'.c~r I 4 6, R.~'ll 2 0 6,

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La Salle's Justin Orr tries to elude Chaminade-Julienne defender Derrick Brown Saturday. Orr scored a game-high 19 points. r;,,,., 102. F.; co 409, 0~6 719. v;e!l<.'OII. Wc~rl2 4.

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Kettering AHer 48, McNicholas 41

Alter Nic Dyment scored nine points to lead the Rockets.

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McNicholas tied the game at 38 with Aller - - - - - - 14 8 9 17 -48 10 9 13 9 -41 three minutes to play, but was out- McHlcbolat 3-P<! ~ (?''"~·-Word 2; A- R'Jlli. scored 10.3 down the stretch.

"We didn't compete today. That's what I'm definitely disappointed Moeller 52, Badin 31. about," McNick coach Pat Stricker The Crusaders proved why they're said. "We didn't compete, we just No. 1 in the Enquirer's Division I area played - and there is a definitely a dif- coaches' poll in dominating the Rams, ference." ranked No. 5 in Divisions 11-IV. Kevin Riazzi scored 17 points to lead

Elder stonns past Roger Bacon Panthers run off 22 consecutive points in the fourth quarter 8y John Schutte Enquirer Contributor

Elder overcame three shaky quarters of basketball with an explosive fourth quarter rally to down Roger Bacon 6().47 in the fourth of five games at the GCL Garden Party at the Cincinnati Gardens Saturday.

Trailing 3S.29 entering the final quarter, Elder maintained its composure and scored 22 unanswered points to notch a 6().47 victory.

Elder, ranked No. 9 in the Enquirer's Division I coaches poll, improved to 3-0. Roger Bacon, ranked No.3 in the Division II-IV poll, fell to 0.3.

The Panthers used a full-court press to smother Roger Bacon. The Spartans matched Elder's first basket of the quarter before going scoreless for five minutes.

"It all happened very fast We got a couple of good shots off and scored a few in a row. Our press started getting after them and forced some mistaJc,;s," Elder coach Joe Schoen-

feld said.

Roger Bacon folded under the pressure. The Spartans turned the ball over on nine straight possessions and didn't get its second shot of the quarter off until just over two minutes were remaining.

"We were up nine with six to play and we became tentative. Players make plays. Their players did and ours didn't," Roger Bacon coach Bill Brewer said. "It is the best we have played through three quarters."

Roger Bacon seemingly had control after scoring nine straight points to end the third quarter. Josh Nolan started the run with a 3-pointer and a steal.

Elder responded with Thomas Sander leading the way. Sander started the run with an offensive rebound and stickback with 7:03 remaining. Sander finished with six of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter. He also controlled the boards for much of the game.

"I try to hit the boards hard. ~ormal­ ly I'm c!ouble-teamed and have to get

my points from rebounds," Sander, the leading rebounder in the GCL said. "I was surprised how successful our press was. We just got after them, which is our style of play."

Elder's press took over, forcing Roger Bacon into five straight turnovers, which led to eight points. To compound Roger Bacon's difficulties, four Spartans fouled out in the game.

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The polls

No. ls same, but shakeups possible The top teams remained the same in the Enquirer prep basketball coaches' poll Monday, but several big games this week could alter the rankings.

Moeller (4-0), a unanimous No. 1 in the Division I boys poll, will visit No.7 Elder (3-0) in a big Greater Catholic League South game Friday. Also Friday, No. 2 La Salle (3-0) will visit St. Xavier (2-1) in another GCL South game, with the Bombers tied with Princeton for No.4 in this week's ratings.

Reading remained atop the Divisions II-IV boys poll, with Taft making a big jump from No.lO to No.4.

In Division I girls, No. 1 Mount Notre Dame (4-0) scored a 49-29 win Saturday over Louisville (Ky.) Sacred Heart, USA Today's No. 9-rated team. Mount Notre Dame will host No.5 Mercy on Thursday.

In Divisions II-IV girls, McNicholas remained No. 1 despite its 1-3 record. The Rockets' tough schedule has included ¡ losses to Division I powers.

Moeller - Elder National Game of the Week USA Today_ has named the Moeller-Elder game one of the national games of the week, and Moeller has moved up to No. 17 in the national rankings.

Getting better: After last year's state championship,_USA Today_ ranked Moeller's basketball team No. 25 in the nation. After starting the 2003-2004 season 4-0, strongly dominating all four games, _USA Today_ has now ranked the Moeller Crusaders No. 17 in the nation.

On Friday, December 19, the Crusaders visit the Elder Panthers. _USA Today_ has named the Moeller-Elder matchup as the national'Game of the Week.'

"Game of the Week: No. 17 Moeller (Cincinnati) at Elder (Cincinnati). Moeller plays a key Greater Catholic League game at Elder's raucous gym known as 'The Pit'," according to _USA Today's_ website.

Home field advantage: Despite a very successful beginning, attendance at away games, such as the Badin game, seems to be dwindling. According to senior Steve Oeters, who attends all Moeller basketball games, the student section has averaged about 20 students when the team has been away from Moeller.

However, home attendance still continues to thrive. All home games have been sold out for weeks, and the remaining 500 students tickets that are reserved for each game are expected to sell out very quickly.

2003

MAN OF MOELLER

Jim Tull; Ryan Lukens

(Person who best exemplifies the complete student-athelete)

BEST OFFENSIVE BACK (GRADED BY COACH)

Ben McGrath

BEST OFFENSIVE LINEMAN (GRADED BY COACH)

Zach Smith

BEST DEFENSIVE BACK (GRADED BY COACH)

Steven Capehart

BEST DEFENSIVE LINEMAN (GRADED BY COACH)

Mike Buckley

BEST RECEIVER (GRADED BY COACH)

Ryan Trainor

BEST LINEBACKER (GRADED BY COACH)

Dannel Shepard

MOST IMPROVED SENIOR

Bill Cleary, Will Murray

MOST IMPROVED JUNIOR

Brad Libis, Derico Murray

MR. CLUTCH

David Starvaggi (Made key plays all year.)

MOST VERSATILE PLAYER

Blake Carter (Sr.}, Matt Tenant (Jr.) (Played different positions most effectively)

BIG MOE

Mike O'Keefe (Played with pain)

WHITEY CAMPBELL SPIRIT AWARD

Neil Wunder (Best attitude)

MIKE STOFKO LEADER AWARD

Beau Goodhart (Senior most like a captain)

ZAFERES AWARD

Tyler Wehmann (Best special teams player)

"STAR"-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD

Justin Porta, Trent Coletti

MANAGER-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD

Dan Hopkins

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. Edison ........ . 35 Margaretta ...•.. 7

St. Mary CC .... . 28 Port Clinton ...•. . 3

Willard ........ . 13 Shelby ......... . 6

Bellevue ...... .68 I Upper ......... . 48 Galion .......... . 0 Norwalk ........ . 6

Med. Buckeye .. 30 Vermilion ...... . 20

Monroeville .....64 I South Central .. . 31 Mapleton ....... . 0 New London ... . 21

·Moeller rolls by Streaks

By CHARLES WAGNER butchwagner@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY

When you face a high -powered football team, the top priority is to stay away from mistakes.

Sandusky ran into more than its share of turnovers Friday, and paid the price against Cincinnati Moeller.

The Streaks lost three fumbles and had two passes picked off by the Crusaders and that resulted in 28 points as the perennial , nationally-ranked power ofthe ! early 1990s rolled up a 52-20 victory. .

It all started when the Crusaders blitzed SHS quarterback Trevor Dehn, who was forced to roll to his left, and coughed up

the ball when popped by a Moeller linebacker. Beau Goodhart, the backer on the opposite side, p moved quickly. to the loose ball, scooped it up, and was off and running to the end zone from 41 yards out at the 3:22 mark of the first period.

To Sandusky's credit, the Streaks came right back to knot the score at 7-7 with 55 seconds remaining in the opening period.

The key play was a 34-yard pass from Dehn to wideout Greg Garrett, who caught the perfectly thrown pass in stride and was

s·"""" . . . . . .

finally stopped at the Moeller four. After a pass interference call against Moeller, DeRon Pickens bolted up the middle on a trap play to score. Tr-istan Sample booted-the PAT. Moeller struck back in just 48 seconds.

Ben McRath, the Crusaders' starting quarterback who was injured in pre-season, came off the bench and immediately went to the air. He found receiver Pat Watt on the fly for a 57-yard gain to the SHS eight, and two plays alter Dan Barnes scored the goahead touchdown, and the kick was good for a 14-7lead.

Sandusky had the ball for nine

Sandusky's De Ron

Pickens scores the Streaks' only first-half touchdown Friday night against Cincinnati Moeller.

Register photo/

• See STREAKS, Page 86

JASON WERLING

: Sandusky's Greg Garrett makes a reception Friday night against Cincinnati Moeller. Moeller defeated the Blue Streaks, 52-20.

1

'STREAKS • FROM PAGE Bl

minutes in the period, to just three for the Crusaders.

It was just the opposite in the second period, and the Crusaders took advantage of their nine minutes of offense to ring up three touchdowns.

Moeller (2-2) marched 55 yards in seven plays to go ahead 21-7, and McRath passed to Watt for the final27 yards on a play in which Watt was wide open as he caught the pass.

Sandusky fumbled on the first play after the kickoff, and Moeller went 29 yards in six plays, despite a holding penalty, and sophomore halfback Martez Williams somersaulted into the end zone and scored standing up from five yards out at the 5:17 mark.

Two plays after the ensuing

kickoff, Moeller intercepted a Dehn pass and wound up going 33 yards in six plays to take a 357 bulge with 1:46left in the half.

Sandusky's offense kept plucking away and scored twice in the second half as Dehn fired an85-yard strike to Garrett in the third quarter, and Ron Pickens scored from the one in the final period.

However, Moeller simply had too many weapons.

"You can't turn the ball over five-six times a game and expect to win, and especially a team like Moeller. I know we got beat by 30 some points, but I'm proud of the kids who were still fighting and scrapping in the fourth quarter. I don't Lhink we will face a another team with the strength on the line like Moeller had tonight," SHS coach Jim Bollenbacher said after the third loss in four games.

For Sandusky, Dehn was nine of 16 for 220 yards and two touchdowns, and Garrett caught four balls for 155 yards.

Cincinnati Moeller 14 21 10 7 Sandusky 7 0 7 6 Scoring Summary

52 20

M- Beau Goodhart. 41 fumble recovery return. {Tyler Wehmann, kick).

SHS- DeRon Pickens, 2 run. (Tristan Sample, kick).

M- Dan Barnes, 4 run. (Wehmann, kick).

M -Pat Watt, 27 pass from SeQ McRath. (WehmaQQ, kick).

M- Martez Williams, 5 run. (Wehmann, kick) M- Barnes,6 run {Wehmann, kick).

M- Chris Walsh. 5 pass from Chris Reister.

(Wehmann, kick).

SHS- Greg Garrett, 85 pass from trevor Dehn.

(Sample, kick).

M- Wehmann, 31 field goal.

M- Justin Porta, 14 run. {Wehmann, kick).

SHS- Ron Pickens, 1 run. (kick failed).

Team statistics First downs Run-pass-Pen Rushes-yards Passing yards Comp.Att·lnt-TD Fumblesiost Penalties-yards

M 15

SHS 12

10-5-0 38-200 128 7·11-0-2 2·1 6-48

6-&0 32·53 230 10-19·1-2 5-3 5-41

Individuals statistics RUSHING- Barnes (M) 14-57; Williams (M) 15-95; Porta (M) 7·19; Ron Pickens (S) 10-25; De Ron Pickens .

(S)12-47.

PASSNG- McRath (M) 4-6-101·1; Reister(M) 2-3-17· 1; Oehn (S) 9-16-224·1.

RECEIVING- Garrett (S) 4-155; Jermaine Knight (S) 2· 59;Watt(M)2<l4.

PageS

The Valley Sports Journal

September 30, 20031

Moeller rallies past LaSalle 28-16 within 14-7 before the halftime horn sounded.

Junior quarterback Chris Reisert LOCKLAND - The Moeller Crusaders rallied from hit Neil Wunder down the right sidea first-half 14-0 deficit to beat the LaSalle Lancers 28-16 at Roettger Stadium last Friday night. line for a 34-yard touchdown pass to give the Crusaders some momentum Down 14-0 in the second period, Moeller put together a scoring drive just before the half to climb heading into the second half.

Despite the fact that Moeller was down by a touchdown, the second half belonged to the Crusaders.

Moeller quickly established the running game and stayed with it.

Junior running back Dan Barnes capped off Moeller's first scoring drive of the third quarter with a huge 29-yard touchdown run that got the Crusader faithful back into the game.

Tyler Wehmann's extra-point was good and Moeller quickly photo â&#x20AC;˘ Ben Conley tied the game at 14-14. Moeller quarterback Chris Reisert calls a play at the line for the Crusaders. Guard Brad Libis (68) and tackle B.J. Coad (77) listen for the play and get ready for the snap.

The Crusader defense, who pitched a tually wore down. Widmeyer would close out the shut out in the second half, forced a punt third period with a 15-yard touchdown run to give photo â&#x20AC;˘ Ben Conley after just six plays by LaSalle.

Moeller linebacker Ryan Lukens makes a tackle on a Lancer ball carrier. Fellow Moeller their first lead of the game at 21-14.

That paved the way for more smashsenior John Bunch (40), sophomore Alex Jaeger (47) and senior Will Murray (98) Widmeyer would score again on a one-yard plunge mouth football by the Moeller offensive are also in the action. in the fourth quarter to essentially put the game out "' line who began to dominate the line of of reach for LaSalle who couldn't muster any offense scrimmage as the third quarter clock in the second half. rolled along.

Moeller (4-2) now travels to Elder (5-1) for a huge With the Crusader 0-line beginning to GCL ball game this Friday. A Crusader victory take over, senior Grant Widmeyer took would give Moeller the GCL title outright. advantage of a Lancer defense that evenBy STEVE LARGE

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Doug Ramsey ELDER

DIVISION IV ony Pike READING Senior QB 6-5 190 overcame early-season injury anj threw for 2,668 yds and 29 TDs in leading the Blue Devils to theregional semifinals. First team allstate.

Josh Glancy EDGEWOOD Senior

6-2 210 He led the Cougars to their first appearance in the state title.game, rushing for 1, 772 yards and scoring 24 TDs. Named first team all-state.

EDGEWOOD

DIVISION III .

Trey Tudor WYOMING Senior·

Bernie Barre WYOMING

Led the Cougars to a 14-1 record and the school's first appearance rn the state title game, finishing runner-up. Also earned his 100th career victory this season.

RB 5-8 165 Rushed for 1,608 yards and 26 touchdowns in leading Wyoming to its eighth straight playoff berth.

Named second team all-district.

His team went 10-2 and made the school's eighth consecutive playoff appearance, one of the longest active streaks in Ohio. Also earned his 250th career victory this season.

RB

Led the Panthers to a 14-1 record and second consecutive state title, the first Cincinnati school to repeat as Ohio big-school champion in 23 years.

DIVISION IV

DIVISIONV

DIVISIONV Robbie Wilson CHCA Senior

Ken Minor READING Led Reading to a 9-3 record and the regional semifinals, the school's fourth consecutive playoff appearance.

illi n II- r t

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' DIVISION II Steve Channell

DIVISION II

DIVISION!

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Rob DIVIsiON I

5-11 165 Led the Panthers to their second straight state title, passing for 1,922 yards and 20 ms and rushing for 630 yards and three TDs. Named GCL South player of the year, second team all-district.

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Florian ELDER Senior QB

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

M!IG!V. SIGII!IJI)i.. \'ll!Ol!at'•ll

C6 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2003

RB 6-1 210 Rushed for 826 yards.and had 1,510 allpurpose yards and 25 TDs for a playoff team. Second team allstate, has committed to Miami University.

The first-year coach took over a 2-8 program and made it an 8-2 playoff team, becoming only the second Cincin nati Public Schools team ever to reach postseason.

DIVISION VI Ben Diesbach CCD Senior DE/OL

6-3 205 He led the lndians with 90 tackles and had 19 sacks.

Named first team all-district ~nd .. special mention all-state.

DIVISION ill

DIVISION VI

Tim Dunn CCD After a 1-4 start, he guided the Indians to a 4-1 finish including victories by an average score of 38-9. Country Day finished as the area's winnin gest Division VI team at 5-5.

Division I all-stars

FIRST TEAM Mister Simpson

FIRST TEAM Johnny Long

Junior

Senior WR

BlakTsT TEAM Carter MOEL1.ER-Senior

~~-k-l~coLERAIW ~~'-'-=o--·~+-t-PRINGE10N---'---·

QB

6-2 175 Rushed for 1,068 yards and 17 TDs and passed for 1,950 yards and 14 TDs, Including nine combined TDs in one game. First team all-state and Ohio tri-offensive player of the year.

FIRST TEAM n.yan Stanchek LASALLE Senior OL 10

6-5 '264 Considered one of Ohio's top prospects, he was named first team and GCL South offensive lineman of the year. Committed to West Virginia.

Rushed for 2,217 yards and scored 33 touchdowns in helping lead the Panthers to a second straight state title. First team all-state choice.

. FIRSTTEAM Steve· Reining LAKOTA WEST Senior OL 6-8 .315 One of the state's top prospects, committed early to Ohio State. Named second team all-state, first team all-district.

5-11 220 First team alldistrict and specia I mention all-state. _ Had 70 tackles and 30 taclcles for loss, nine sacks and a fumble recovery.

R

FIRST TEAM Jim Tull MOELLER Senior OL 6-2 265 One of the finest centers in the district, named second team all-district and first team allleague.

Dooros LASALLE Senior DL 6-5 228 Second team all-district, first team aii-GCL choice. Had five sacks, 58 tackles and two tumble recoveries.

6-1 225 First team alldistrict, second-team allstate. Had 135 tackles, five for a loss, four sacks and two interceptions.

5-10 215 First team allstate. Returned a fumble 98 yards · foi TD to win one game, interception return for TD to win another.

Had 65 tackles, four sacks, three interce tions.

Daniels DL

6-2 265 Atwo-year starter and prime mover for Colerain's potent running game, credited with 155 knockdowns. Second team al~state, first team all-district.

170 Caught 72 passes for 820 yards and nine TDs, his second straight year with over 70 catches. Named first team alldistrict, second team all-state.

FIRST TEAM Brad Scheid~ ST. XAVIER Senior .

LB ·

N"IC kFIRSTTEAM -

PRINCETON Junior

fiRST TEAM Justm Miller COLERAIN Senior OL

6"1

FIRSTTEAM yan Lukens MOELLER Senior LB

Ton{*sTTEAM ·

RB 5-11 210 Rushed for 1,658 yards and 23 TDs for the regional finalist Cardinals.

Named second team all-state, first team all-district.

Led the city in catches (78) and yards (985) during the regular season, with five TDs. Named second team all-district.

FIRST TEAM Brandon Yingling MASON Senior PK

WR 6-3 210 Caught 48 passes for 588 yards and six touchdowns, and also had two kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Named first team AII-GCL.

FIRST TEAM

6-1

COLERAIN Senior DL

170

6-3

Tied the school record for points by a kicker (53) and tied the school mark with a 52-yard field goal.

Kicked 10 field goals. First team all-district.

275 Named first team all-state and all-district, defensive player of the year in the-GMC. Had 91 tackles, two sacks, 10 tacllles for loss, two fumble recoveries.

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Andre Revels COLERAIN Junior LB 6-1 220 Named second team all-state and first team alldistrict. Had 161 tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, one interception two forced fumbles.

FIRST TEAM Corey McKenna --ELDER.o.-.

Senior OL '6~3

270 Named first team all-state and first team all-district, he helped win consecutive state titles as a two-year starter at center.

FIRST TEAM Tony Stegeman ELDER Senior DL 6-1 230

FIRST TEAM

ANDERSON Senior LB

Drew Metz ELDER Senior DB

6-1 190 Tied for the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye lead with 114 tackles. Sec;ono team all-district, first team, call-league choice.

5-8 150 Special mention all-state and first team all--district choice. \-lao Sn 1.ac\\\es, three 1.ac\\\es lor loss, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups.

HONORABLE MENTION Adarir'sT TEAM

RickfmsT TEAM

Myers-White

Cornelius OAK fiLLS Senior DB

HAMILTON

Junior DB 6-4

180 First team alldistrict and allleague choice.

Had 67 tackles, four interception and two fumble recoveries.

5-11 192 Despite missing two games with injury, named second team all-district and first team all-league. Also was Oak Hills' to running back.

FIRST TEAM Justin Ray OAK fiLLS Senior Punter 6-2 185 Averaged 42.0 yards per punt in repeating as all-city punter. Also was an all-league quarterback, seWng 13 school passing records

Anderson- Kurt Shoemaker, Matt Mullenax, Rob Schirmann, Phil Poetter, David Hensley, Marshall Root; Cqlerain- Tyler Moody, Terrill Byrd, Ericlc fitzpatrick, Brian Lay, Bryan Shelton, Brad Schutte, MikeTuertscher; Elder-- Alex Harbin, Chartie Coffaro, Craig Carey, Eric Wood, John Tiemeler, Michael Brown, Mike Zielasko, Pat Lysaght, Brett Currin, D.J. Hueneman, Eric Andriacco, Eric Kenkel, John Wellbrock, Kurt Gindling, Rick Stautberg, Seth Priestle, Steve Baum; Fairfield - Brett VanCieaf, Kenton Sneed; Hamilton- Brandon Underwood, Adell Givens, Brandon Harris, Derrick Huff; Hughes- Demarious Dunklin, Marc Knott, Austin Goss, Jameel Peeples; Lakota East- Erik Hines, Tony Johnson, Matt Hatfield, Jason Daniels; Lakota West- Dane Romero, Evan Spanogians; LD 3alle- Ben Johnson, Anthony Kummer, Mike Wiegele, Matt Winterhalter, Jake Silvatl, Troy Meyers; Lebanon- Tyler Pritchard, Nick Hendricl<son, Ryan Noe, Ryan Routhier, Austin Pritchard, David Addison; Mason- Matt Watkins, David Marmora, Jake Atkinson, Kyle Nagengast, Frank Kudlac, Mark R. Davis, Mark J. Davis, Zach Marshall, Justin Beming; Middletown- Jimmy Calhoun, Matt Margolis, James Frazier; Milford -Justin Gans; Moeller- Zach Smith, Beau Goodhart, David Starvaggi, Tyler Wehmann, De rico Murray, Mike Buckley; Northwest- DeMario Pleasant; Oak HillsAndy Lanser, Kyle Proctor, Jake Davis; Princeton- Greg Frey, Brandon Rozier, Vincent Summerlin; St. Xavier- Elliot Walker, Steve Uphaus, Scott Linz, Bobby Mahoney, Brad Ralph, Michael Combest, J.T. Imming, Scott Rouse; Sycamore- Jesse Key, Willie Million, Matt McKeown, Trevor Harris;Westem Hills- Desmon Gault, Trevor Canfield, Henry Youngblood, Branden Brookins; Winton Woods- Jamaal Akbar, Marcus Williams, Rashawn Henderson, Dennis Cooper, Roscoe Bratton, Jason Davis.

Cincinnati Bearcats

fo

Time fin lly he

By Bill Koch 17ze Cincinnati Enquirer

The sign in the stUdent section at Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday night drning the Clemson game said it all. "Beware, he's coming.

Number 21," it read.

If that weren't enough to make James White understand the expectations he faces as he makes his University of Cincinnati basketball debut Saturday night against Middle Tennessee State, maybe all the interview requests did.

Already this week he has been interviewed by The Washington

Post, The Sporting News, USA Today, The New York Daily News, The Milwaukee journal Sentinel and ESPN.com.

"It's weird," White said Thursday. ''When I was playing, I never got pub like that."

White, a 6-foot-7 forward from Kensington, Md., who transferred to UC last December from Florida, was a McDonald's All-American as a senior at Hargrave Military Academy. He averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 reboundsin 20.5 minutes per game as a freshman at Florida.

After sitting out a year, practicing day after day with no immediate reward in sight, he's ready to go Saturday night. And UC fans appear just as eager to watch his highflying dunks and see what his athleticism and quiclmess will bring to the Bearcats' already effective pressure defense.

"I'm just looking forward to being out there with the guys for the

rrransfer ready to play, facing high expectations after sitting out year first time and .playing in this atmosphere," White said. . If anyone knows how White feels as he counts down the hours until his first UC game, it's assistant coach Keith LeGree.

Like White, LeGree was a McDonald's All-American who tnmsferred to UC amid great expectations. He arrived at UC from Louisville in 1993 as the point guard in Waiting, the man who would pick up where Nick Van Exelleft off.

He discovered rather quickly that sitting out a year can have a detrimental effect on even the most talentedplayer.Hescored14points with six assists in his first game against Minnesota, but it took him awhile to get back into the flow of the game.

"You're so fired up just being back and being in it," LeGree said, "but once that wears off, you hit a ·wall. James has to understand that it's a process. You have to keep getting better each game, each day.

It's not going to happen all at one time. The game is too hard."

LeGree also hopes that UC's fans don't expect too much from White right away.

"He has to understand that everyone is waiting to see how good he is, what he can do and what he can't do,'' LeGree said, "He has to lmow that it's going to get serious now. I've told him that."

• White says that sitting out a year and practicing every day has made him a better playel;' and made him understand the importance coach Bob Huggins places on defense.

"Huggs allows you to be yourself," White said. "He allows you to play your game and bring your charisma to the game. As long as you do simple things like play defense. I see that's the big emphasis and I thought that was one of my strong suits coming in from Florida."

Already Thursday White said he could feel the difference in practice, knowing that he'll be playing soon.

The expectations are different now, even from the coaches.

"I have to do everything right," · he said.

White is malting no promises, onlythathe'llplayhardanddowhat he can to help his unbeaten teammates continue to win.

"I've been in that situation before when I was a freshman and had high expectations," White said. ''I'm just going to let the game come to me."

STOKES UPDATE: When Leonard Stokes showed up at UC's practice Thursday and found out that his former teammates were in the locker room, he was content to wait for them out on the court. · "I ain't going in there," Stokes said. "I've gotten yelled at in there plenty of times."

Enquirer file/ JEFF SWINGER

Florida transfer James White finally

gets to take the court for something other than practice. He'll make his UC debut Saturday.

Stokes, who completed his UC career last year after scoring 1,318 points in fouryears, said he expects to join the Asheville Altitude of the National Basketball Development League on Jan. 1. · Stokes said he played briefly in Greece, but quit because he wasn't getting paid and also worked out with the Fayetteville NBDL team before landing with Asheville.

"It's rough," he said. "After you leave here you're so used to everybody caring about you,· but once you're out there, it's so much of a business."

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I

Xavier Musketeers

Cage,. Cole suffer ankle sprains Reserves questionable for Saturday ·

By Dustin Dow The Cincinnati Enquirer

After losing three of its last four games, Xavier was handed another setback Thursday when two freshmen suffered ankle sprains at practice: Justin Cage .and· Brandon Cole both injured their right ankles and remain questionable for Saturday's The Cincinnati Enquirer/C:RAIG RUTTLE game against Lbuisiaiia~Lafayette. Xa\rier's Justin Cage in]ured his- -at Cintas Center. Their status will right ankle in practice Thursday. be. re-evaluated today based on how each responds to treatment. consistency. Guys·have to pull toCage has been Xavier's top re- getherandsay, Thisiswhoweare, serve through seven games, aver- and tllis is what we have to do.' " aging 19.7 minutes, 5.4 points and Xavier's undoing against Missis4.0 rebounds. sippi State and what the MuskeCole is a key reserve in the post teers want to avoid Saturday is a who averages 7.7 minutes and 2.3 rash of turnovers from the backrebounds a game. Playing without court. Guards lionel Chalmers and Cage or Cole makes Xavier's task Dedrick Finn are experienced, but against the Ragin' Cajuns more dif. Xftvier has 13 fewer assists than ficult considering Cage has been turnovers this season. one of Xavier's steadiest players "It's obvious we haven't connectthrough the first seven games. ed yet as a team," Finn said. "But Xavier coach Thad Mattasaid the we're getting there. We're working Musketeers would be prepared to on it. We've got to get that connecgo Saturday whether Cage and tion on the court."

Cole are healthy or not.

Xavier's big men must continue ·NOT SUCH A BAD LOSS: Xavier w improve their transition defense coaches were encouraged by the to cut down on giving up fast break Musketeers' progress in their loss points, particularly on Saturday.. to Mississippi State, which dropped · . Louisiana-Lafayette (3-2) averagXavier to 4-3. es 75.8 pointsper game, and the Ra'To see guys finally make some gin' Cajuns added three previously · shots, and Anthony Myles finally at- ineligible players into the regular tack the basket was huge for this rotation earlier this week. team," Matta said. "The big thing we're looking for from our guys is E-mail ddow@enquirer.com

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Boothe, freshmen lead XU to victory The Musketeers head to Ann Arbor Sunday to play Michigan at Sophomore Tara Boothe 2p.m. scored 21 points to lead the Xavier women's basketball team to a 72- No. 18 Ohio St. 88, 65 win over Lipscomb on ThursWright St. 45 day night at Cintas Center. ,COLUMBUS- Jessica DavenBoothe hit six of her 11 fieldgoal attempts, including a pair of po:rt scored 25 points, including 14 3-pointers. She also went 7 for 8 straight during a second-half run, in. No.l8 Ohio State's 88-45victory from the foul line. · Xavier freshmen Suntana Gran- ower Wright State on Thursday derson and Miranda Green also night.

"Irb.e Buckeyes (5-1) opened the stood out in the contest.

In the first four minutes of her second half with · a 25-8 run, first career start, Granderson had capped by six consecutive jump10 points, two rebounds, two steals ers by Davenport. Davenport and a blocked shot. She ended made 11-of-13 shots from the field and played just 17 minutes. with a career-high 13 points.

Ohio State shot 72 percent from Green tallied 10 points while recording a career-best nine assists. the field, and Wright State shot 34 She also had three steals and a percent. The Buckeyes made 20 of 24 shots (83 percent) in the secpair of rebounds.

Sophomore Kristy Wallner had ond half.

Stephanie Blanton scored 12 · an excellent all-around game, scoring five points while pulling points and LaToya Turner added down nine rebounds, dishing out 10 points for the Buckeyes. Jeasix assists and getting three steals. nette Woodberry led Wright State XU moves to 6-2 while Lips- (2-7) with 13 points, and Iesha Gray added 10. comb falls to 2-3.

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C6 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2( 2003

WEEK 10: PICKS, PREVIEWS; STATISTICS AND MORE

r Ill

n1n Moeller, Princeton vie for 2003.playoff spot·

By Tom Groeschen . Atthe conclusion of the football season, including the playoffs, we'll crown the third winner of the Enquirer/Channel9 Player of the Year Award. Each week, we'll list five candidates for our Watch List, and the winner will be picked from those players. Coaches are invited to nominate players, as well. Please e-mail · candidates and relev.ant statistics to tgroeschen@enquirer.com for Ohio.

Next five players Blake· Carter, Moeller: Thesenior wide receiver, one of the state's top college prospects, caught a TD pass in a 17-14 upset of Lakewood St. Edward and now has 30 catches on the year.

David Marmora, Mason: Thesenior running back has totaled 1,109 all-purpose yards in rushing, receivIng, kickoff returns and punt returns in helping lead the Comets to an 8-1 record.

Jake McSorley, Cllnton-Massle: The junior running back set school ·records for rushing yardage in one game (290) and season (1,327) in a 63-0 win over Clennont Northeastern.

Brandon Undetwood, Hamilton: The Ohio State-bound senior corner. back had eight tackles, an interception and a touchdown-saving tackle in last week's 31-12 victory over rival Fairfield.

Greg Preston, Dixie Heights: The junior quarterback completed 15,of,25 passes for 208 yards and four passes in the win. .. ,, touchdown ;.-·

How to report results Coaches: Please call In your results Immediately after the game.

Deadlines. are crucial to getting results into your area's edition of the paper. In town, call (513) 768-844 7 or (513) 768-8452. If out of town, call1-888-27 4-6299. In the event a local team visits a team outside our coverage area, our local team is responsible for calling in the results.

Please be prepared to identify each team's players who scored.

Top 10 Outlook Division I* 1. Colerain (9-0): Last week:

beat Oak Hills 41-7; tonight: hosts La Salle 2. Elder (8-1): Last week: beat Indy Cathedral Prep 21-7; tonight at Oak Hills.

3. Princeton (8·1): Last week: beat Middletown 61-24; tonight: at Moeller 4. Anderson (8-1): Last week: beat Loveland 21-9; tonight: hosts Lakota West 5. Moeller (6-3): Last week: beat Lakewood St. Edward 17-14; tonight: hosts Princeton 6. Mason (8-1): Last week: beat Winton Woods 21-7; tonight: hosts Lakota East · 7. Lakota East (7·2): Last week: beat Lakota West, 49-28; tonight: at Mason 8, La Salle (6-3): Last week: beat East Central 21-18; tonight: at Colerain 9. Lebanon (8-1): beat Springboro 12-0; tonight: hosts Fairborn 10. St. Xavier (5·3): beat Cleveland St. Ignatius, 10-7; tonight: at Hamilton Division II-VI* 1. Edgewood (9·0):Last week: beat Franklin 46-17; Tonight: hosts Talawanda 2. Kings (8-1): Last week: beat Ross38-13;Tonight: hosts Loveland 3. Reading (7-2): Last week: beat Deer Park 48-14; Tonight: hosts CCD 4. Wyoming (8·1): Last week: beat Indian Hill 21-18; Tonight: hosts Hannony 5. CHCA (7-1): Last week: beat Lockland 52-0; Tonight: at Sidney Lehman Catholic 6. Cllnton-Massie (9-0): IJlst week: beat Clermont NE 63-0; Tonight: hosts E'ast Clinton 7. McNicholas (6-3): Last week: beat Hannony, 49-9; Saturday: hosts Purcell Martan 8. Glen Este (6·3): Last week: beat Amelia 56-0; Tonight: at Turpin 9. Loveland (5-4}: Last week: Lost to Anderson 21-9; Tonight: at Kings · 10. Indian Hill (6·3): Last week: lost to Wyoming, 21-18; Tonight: hosts Little Miami *Ohio's regular season ends Saturday

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller-Princeton once was the biggest prep football game in Cincinnati. But now the series could be on its last legs.

Princeton (8-1) is ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll and Moeller (6-3) No. 5 entering their 'traditional seasonending showdown today (7:30 · p.m.) at Lockland, where Moeller plays its home games. The winner almost certainly qualifies for the Ohio Division I playoffs, and the loser could be on the bubble. "(Moeller athletic director) Barry Borman and I were talking about how this is the biggest Moeller-Princeton game in some time," Princeton athletic director Scott Kal!fman said. "It's a pretty exciting atmosphere."

Catch it while you can, since the series will be discontinued after the 2004 season.

The traditional Week 10 matchup will be erased because the Greater Miami Conference, of which Princeton is a member, is moving its seven annual league games from Weeks 3-9 to Weeks 4-10 starting with the 2005 season.

Moeller, from the Greater Catholic League South, now must find a Week 10 opponent while PrinceThe Cincinnati Enquirer/STEVEN M. HERPPICH ton plays a GMC team in the final week.

Blake Carter will try to help Moeller maintain its recent domi"It's too bad, because this game nance over Princeton tonight at Lockland. means a lot to people," Moeller coach Bob Crable said. "Hopefully Moeller-Princeton at a glance we can play them again down the STATE TITLES: Moeller 7 (1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1985); road."

Moeller (seven state titles) and Princeton 3 (1978, 1983, 1987).

Princeton (three) combined to STATE RUNNERS-UP: Moeller 4 (1981, 1989, 1993, 1997); Princeton 3 win 10 Ohio big-school state cham- (1972, 1988, 1990). pionships between 1975-87. Both firliyhedjn the top 10 of the USA MYrHICALNATIONAL TITLES: Moeller 5 (191:6, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982).

Today poll in19E3. Butit's"'beenif' -FAMOUSCOACHES:.Moeller -. Gerry-Faust(1963,80, .five ~t<l_tf!JitiE!s); while since either truly dominated· Steve Klonne (1982-2000, two state titles); Princeton - Pat Mancuso-· the city.

(1960-96, three state titles). .Crable has lived Moeller- FAMOUS PLAYERS: Moeller's early stars included future NFL linemen Steve Pnnceton as both coach and play- Sylvester and Steve Niehaus and future NFL linebacker Bob Crable (now er: He was a prep ~-Amet:ica line- Moeller's head coach). Recent Moeller stars include offensive lineman Mike bac~e~ at l\:foe~er m the nud-1970s · Munoz (University of Tennessee), son of Bengals great Anthony Munoz. and ISm his third year as Crusad- . Princeton also has produced several NFL players, including DB Harlon ers head coach.

Barnett and TE Arnold Franklin, who later became Princeton assistant Crable also play~d for Notre coaches. More recently, QB Mike Daniels was Enquirer/Channel 9 Player Dame and the NFLs New York of the Year in 2002 . . · Jets, but remembers MoellerPrinceton · among the biggest SERIES RECORD: Moeller leads 34-7 and has won the last 12 meetings. games of his life. In Crable's day, only one team made the Ohio playoffs from each region instead of TDs). Williams has approached winning traditions, but Moeller many of the numbers compiled by has a mental dominance over the eight that qualify now.

"We were talking about that former Vikings quarterback Mike Princeton. We are going to do evjust this week, how this used to be Daniels, last year's Enquirer/ erything we can this week to the game in Cincinnati every Chimnel9 Player of the Year who change that attitude." year," Crable said. "It used to be isnowatUC. Moeller lately has been enerfor the city championship and for 'They're as dangerous-as ever gized by a stout defense and the who went to the playoffs, period. :with Jarrell Williams back there," return of senior quarterback Ben · It's certainly big again this year." Crable said.

McGrath, who returned a few Moeller started the year 0-2 but Moeller has dominated Pririce- weeks ago from a season-long has gone 6-1 since. The Crusaders ton in r!Jcent years, winning the hamstring injury. McGrath said upset the state's then-No. 8 ran- past 12 meetings. The Crusaders he's heard the tales of Moellerked team, lakewood St. Edward, lead the series 34-7, with the first Princeton games gone by.

17-14 last Saturday. Princeton is meeting in 1965. "''ve heard it was always MoelPrinceton coach Brian Dodds, ler and Princeton ranked 1-2 in the 8-0 since losing 30-6 to Roger Bawho took over this year from the city," McGrath said. "When you con iri its season opener. · The big Princeton change was retired Scott Miltenberger, came play here, you learn all about the the installation of senior Jarrell to town from Boca Raton, Fla. tradition. For us, it's good to be ''One of the reasons that I putting things together with Williams at quarterback in the second week, with Williams having moved here to take this job was to Princeton coming up." passed for 1,786 yards (14 TDs) be a part of this rivalry," Dodds and rushed for 1,027 yards (17 said. "Both schools have great Email tgroeschen@e:nquirer.com

Our

1 Loveland at .Kings Lakota East at Mason Northwest at Roger Bacon Taylor at Summit Purcell Marian at McNicholas Princeton at Moeller La Salle at Colerain Elder at Oak Hills Glen Este at Turpin Taft at Withrow

Tom

Paula

Faithful

Groeschen

Faris

Fans

Kings .

Mason Roger Bacon

Last week Overafl

To vote, go to Cincinnati.com, keyword: picks. WCPO-TV's picks are chosen by Paula Faris, Dennis Janson and John Popovich each week on a rotating basis. Each week, Enquirer prep football writer Tom Groeschen picks selected games throughout the area. Groeschen and the fans are joined by Faris this week.

(In: order of predicted fiil!sh)

ELDER DiviSion: I Coaph: DougRamsey Last year: 14-1 (3-0GCLS), state. chall]pion · Last league title: 2002 Players to watch: Senior RB Bradley Glatthaar rushed for1,9.90 yari:ls and scored 32.TDslast . year. Senior QB Rob .

Florian threw for 2,444 yards and 24 TDs. Senior OL Corey McKenna is the only returning starter on the offensive line.

Senior DB John Tiemeier had. 50 tackles, six pass breakups and one INT. senior WR Kurt Gindling had 30 re- . ceptions for459 yards and fourTD~.

Key re~JiriJ~es: Offense - Glatthaar, Ronan, McKenna, Gindling, FB Pat Lysaght. Defense - Tiemeier; DB Drew Metz, LB .Seth Priestle DL Mike Zielas. · ko, D~ Tony Stegeman, DB Brett Currin.

Formations: Offense- Multiple I. Defense- 4-3.

Outlollk: Elder is ranked in the top 10 in several national preseason polls, as it returns five offensive and six de- fensive starters. Rorian and Glatthaar are proven stars, but an inexperienced offensive line J]lUSt mature rapidly. Defensively, a seasoned secondary will be the strength.

ST. JCAVIER Division: 1 • ·· ' Coach: Steve Rasso Last ye<!r: 7-4 (2"1) Last lea·gue iitle: 2001 · Players to watch: Senior fiB Elliott • Walker rushecHor·. , · 173 yards (4.8 aver, age) and averaged 12,9yards perpunt return arid 28;2. yards per kiqkoff re- · · tum. Senior DB Bob Mahoney had three · - interceptions for?O yari:ls (2 TDs). Se· nior DB Steve Uphaus had one inter/ ception and 41 tackles. SeniorWR Keith "Spider" Thomas caught eight passes for 70 yards. Senior K/P Ryan • Casey made 4 of 8 FGs and 21 of21 • PATs. Key returnees: Offense -Walker, • Thomas, QB Rob Schoenhoft, OL - Scott Rouse, CBrad Ralph. DefenseMahoney,1Uphaus,LB·BradScheidt, •.

• DB Jeff C~rgile.

Formations: Offense -Spread. Defense- 50. · • Outlook: The Bombers' offense·features four returning starters on the offensive line. Walker ahd Thomas are explosive skill players, andSchoenhoft replacesgraduated Jim Gruber at QB, Defensively, the .Bombers must repface all~state lineman Nick larkin . . Look for St. X and Elder to duel for the GCLS title again.

. · MOELlER

' _-:~-mvision:.l\ .

Coach: Bob .crable Last year: 7-4 (1~2) Last leagu~ title: 2000 (shared) Players to. watch: Senior LB Ryan · Lukens led the team - in tackles last year.

Senior QB Ben McGrath threw for 764 yards. Senior WRBiake Carter is the nephew: of NFL greatCris Carter.

Key returnees: OfMcGrath 1 fense - OL Zcich Smith, OLJim Tull, Ol Mike O'Keefe, Defense - Lukens. · Formations: Offense- Multiple I. Defense- 50. · Outlook: Moeller believes MpGrath could have a br~akout year. Carter is considemid one of the state's top receivers, and there is·a big offensive line to help out: Replacements are sought for 1,000-yard rusher Reed Hamilton and DB Eric Thatcher; Another playoff bid is quite possible, with tough schedule featuring Anderson and Louisville St. Xavier right out of the gate.

a

LASAllE Division: I Coach; Tom Grippa Last year: 4-'6 (0-3) Last league title: 1995 (shared) Players to watch: Senior GRyan Stanchek is rated one of Ohio's top · prospects. SeniorTE/DE NickDooros also is a top prospect. Senior G Rodney Pompey has cotnmitted to UC. Junior QB Anthony Kummer will-vie to be the starter.

Key tetumeel;: Offense - Stanchek, Dooros, Pompey, WR Steve Brown.

Defense:.. Dooros, LB Wood Orji, ss • Aubrey McCreary,. FS Ben Johnson.

Formations: Offense -Spread. Defense-- 40. · Outlook: Grippa revived a sagging Elder pmgram in the late 1980s, and La Salle alums hope for similar success. The lancers are 1-14 in league • play the past five years .. · -.Tom Groeschen !i"'_-·\- <:(-)

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state semifinalist Last league title'! 2002 .

Players to watch: Senior OT Chris . Vermillion was first-team AII-GCL. Senior WR Zach Freshwater was AII,GCL and caught 20 passes for a 23-yard average. Senior QB Mike Savino is a first-year starter.

Senior GZach Thuney was secondteam AII-GCL. Key returnees: Offense.- Vermiilion, .freshwater, Hess, Thuney, OL Steve Bristow. Defense- DE Craig Davis, OLB Mike Cengia, S Mike Gorman, LB Pat Dougherty, DB Dan Reeves.

Formations: Offense - Wishbone. Defense- 40.

Outlook: The Knights move-up to Division Ill after ripping through tfTeir Division IV region last year, but they must replace all-state RB Doug Penna and QB Eric Laumann:The Knights should contend for a third consecutive playoff berth.

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Division: IV Coach: Terry Malone Last year: 4-7 (D-5) Last league title: 199 7 Players to watch: Senior QB Alan Wolf threw for 992 yards last year.

Senior HB-DB Jason Howard is the top running back. SeniorT Sean McGoldrick is the team's biggest man at 6-1, 255.

SeniorC AJ. Smith was second-team allGCL Senior G Mike Schubert was second-team AII-GCL. Key returnees: Offense ~ Wolf, Howard,' McGoldrick, Smith, Schuber:t; Defense- LB Alex Smith Middendorf, Howard. i Formations: Offense- Full-house backfield.· Defense - 5-2.

Outlook: The Rams last year became only the third team to make the Ohio football playoffs with a losing record (4-6), testament to the points they earn against their tough GCL schedule. This year, Wolf returns after a year of sea~ soning at QB and has several vet- . eran linemen.

PURCElL MARIAN

Division: 111 Coach:Tom Stickley Last year: 3-7 (1-4) Last league title: 1999 Players to watch: Senior OT Khalil El-Amin, senior WR Dustin Woods, senior C Kevin .:h :g Tighe, senior G-LB Brandon Buschmeier, senior G-LB )r . Evan Dadosky. s- Key returnees: rin Offense - QB Aaron White, WR Gerald Pope, EIAmin,·woods,· OT n, Brian Kucia. DeI fense - DT Antho~ nyCook,LB 1DeShawn Keith, Buschmeier, Da-

dosky.

Formations: Ofd fense - Multiple. to Defense - 50/60.

Outlook: The .Cavaliers are thinkihg g's big with nine starters back on offense, including the entire line and lick QB White {1,177 yards passing).

There are also six defensive start-· lr ers back. Even with all that experi)is ence, Stickley adrnits it could be tough to reach the upper echelon.

"The GCL North could be tougher than the South this year," Stickley said. With consistent play and a few breaks, Purcell could be a· contender.

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THE CINCINNATI EN

SPORTS

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"They're (Colerain) the best team in the and we've got the chore of keeping · them at bay."

Moeller coach Bob Crable

PLAYOFFS: PREVIEWS AND M_ORE

Colerain vs. Moeller

Two teams with momentum set

By Tom Groeschen 17w Cincinnati Enquirer

Colerain and Moeller will clash Saturday, matchingtwo of the Cincinnati area's greatest prep football programs in a Division I re:. gional semifinal game at 8 p.m. at UC's Nippert Stadium.

Colerain (11-{)) is ranked No.1 in the city and No. 3 in the state.

Moeller (8-3) is ranked No. 3inthe city and tied for 12th in the state. · It's Colerain's recent supremacy (six Enquirer Division I coaches' poll titles since 1994) meeting Moeller's storied past (seven state titles, the most recent in 1985). · But mostly, it's two hot teams.

Colerain has won by an average score .of 42-12 this year. Moeller started the season 0-2, but its only loss since was 21-20 at Elder Oct. 3.

"They're the best team in the city, and we've got the chore of keeping them at bay," Moeller coach Bob Crable said of the Cardinals.

Colerain coach Kerry Coombs had praise for the Crusaders.

'They're not letting anybody score lately," Coombs said. "They defend well against the run and the pass. Offensively, they can .run it and throw it."

Comparing scores? The common thread is La Salle, which Moeller beat 28-16 and Colerain beat twice - 35-21.in the regular season and 45-21last week.

Colerain gets headlines for its run-oriented tripl~option offense, with quarterback Erick Fitzpatrick and running back Mister Simpson both topping 1,200 yards rushing. · Colerain is also strong defensively, and is allowing only 66 yards per game rushing. Top Cardinals defenders include linemen Nick Davis and Terrill Byrd and linebacker Andre Revels.

Moeller beat Huber Heights Wayne 14-10 to open the playoffs, winning on a late 17-yard pass .from Ben McGrath to Neil Wunder . · McGrath missed the first half of

·

The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

Terrill Byrd leads a Colerain defense allowing an average of 66 rushing yards per game.

to collide.

an 18-yarder .for a TD against Prin\eton two weeks ago.

Dtfensively, Moeller is led by linefuckers Ryan Lukens and Bea~ Goodhart and safety David StaPaggi.

Tie teams have met only six time3, with Moeller holding a 4-2 lea~ · But the last meeting still ·stic~s with Colerain- Moeller upset the Cardinals 21-14 to open the 2002 season.

Colerain since has won 19 · straight regular season games.

"Tm sure Kerry might bring up thatgame to them," Crable said.

'The important thing for us is to prevent them getting big plays."

Coombs said Colerain is playing well.

"We've played teams that are playoff teams or playoff-caliber teams for five or six weeks now, and that helps you," Coombs said.

"We're looking forward to the game, and I'm sure they are too."

the season with a hamstring injury but is healthy now. Top receiver Blake Carter, nephew of NFL great receiver Cris Carter, has caught 45 passes and is a major threat on kickoff returns; he had Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com.

CE

By Tom Groeschen 17ze Cincinnati Enquirer.

A look at this weekend's regional semifinal playoff games (seeds):

DIVISION I Elder (1) vs. Clayton Northmont (5) WHEN/WHERE: 2 p.m. Saturday at Yager Stadium, Miami University.

RECORDS: Elder 10-1, Northmont 10-1.

WHATTO WATCH: Elder has played outstanding defense of late, holding Anderson to 97 yards rushing in a 28-7 first round playoff win. RB Bradley Glatthaar rushed for 140 yards ahd three TDs last week, with QB Rob Florian throwing tor 134 yards and a TD. Elaer faces an explosive Northmont team that beat Mason 52-35 last week. Northmont QB Tyler Homer threw for 263 yards and four TDs last week. .BOTTOM LINE: Elder, the defending state champion, is the clear favorite. The Panthers are rated No. 12 nationally by USA Today and No. 61n the state, while Northmont is unranked.

night from QB Jesse lmes. The ~nights are making their second straighl;itriP to the regional semifinals, and def~nse has been a key factoL Kings has heliJ five straight opponents to 14 points ?r less.

The Knights face a Jackson team, that beat Mount Healthy 35-211ast l'(eek.

BOTTIM LINE: Kings faces aibit of an unknown vs. Jackson. But Ki~gs , · coach Andy Olds is a master gameplanner, and after a week offilm~ he should have the Knights prepared.

DIVISION Ill

---.'

Wyoming (6) vs. Valley View (7) ',

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Mason HS. : RECORDS: Wyoming 10-1, Valley View 10-1. . , WHATTO WATCH: Running back Trey Tudor has rushed for 1,422 y~rds and 22 touchdowns for Wyoming;< which upset St. Marys Memorial18-16 ib the first round. The Cowboys defense'has been outstanding, especially over,the past month, led by lineman ~leah Vance, cornerback Kevin Wooten ~nd linebacker Jordan Hosmer. Valley1Yiew, ranked No. 8 in the final state polio is VS. led by Illinois recruit orock Bolen ~nd Teddy Buehner, who teamed to ru$h for 290 yards in a 35-21 upset of No112 · WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. Saturday at seed Bellbrook last week.

II Nippert Stadium, UC. .

BOTTOM LINE: Two programs l.oaded ,,~ --,RECORDS: Colerain 11-0, ·Moeller· ~_,.wlth,trggLtio.u,}.'alleyJ{ie~is !DJ1S ,12th_·.· 8-3. · consecutive playoffs and Wyoming-itS.···.

WHATTO WATCH: Among many ineighth straight. Wyoming.will try to' shut \ teresting matchups, it's Colerain's podown Valley View's running game~nd tent offense (42 points per game) rely on Tudor, QB Eric Baker and "1(R Keagainst a Moeller defense allowing only vin Weybright offensively. !

10 points per game the last month. :.

Colerain's run-oriented triple option has several runners who could break 100 } yards, including QB Erick Fitzpatrick and VS. RBs Mister Simpson and Ronald Southerland -who teamed to rush tor 312 . i yards in a 45-21 win over La Salle last WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday at ' week. Moeller features QB Ben McGrath Princeton HS. : and receivers Blake Carter and Neil RECORDS: Clinton-Massie 11-0f MaWunder, with Wunder catching a late riemont 8-3. . \! · 17-yard TD pass to beat Huber Heights WHAT TO WATCH: Clinton-Mas$ie, Wayne 14-10 last week. ranked No.2 in the state, beat Da\1on BOTTOM LINE: Many think it's a Oakwood 12-0 last week behindJa ke.;,1 ·match of Colerain's speed againSt Moel- McSurley's 17 carries for 125 yard~~ Ja,;. le~s physical dominance. Colerain was cob Bryant carried 13 times for 91 yargs ranked No.1' and Moeller No.3 in the fi- and a TD for Clinton-Massie and had 11 nal Enquirer city poll, and there's not tackles defensively. The Clinton-Ma~ie much difference between them. defense has shut out three of its la~t five opponents. Mariemont comes qff a 28-14 win over Jonathan Alder, in which Jason Singer intercepted tw.o passe~ · and the Warriors created five turnovers BOTTOM LINE: With two outstandihg · defenses going at It, this could be ~ WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at low-scoring affair. The key will be .wryich Welcome Stadium, Dayton. . tea~ contains the other's outstandi~g · RECORDS: Edgewood 11-0, Dayton runnmg game. :' Carroll 8-3.

WHATTO WATCH: Edgewood survived a 35-32 thriller vs. Vandalia Butler last week, while DaYton Carroll beat McNicholas 14-0. Edgewood beat DayWHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday at · ton Carroll34-23 during the regular sea- Huber Heights Wayne HS. son. Since then Carroll has allowed only RECORDS: Reading 9-2, Versailles 46 total points in six games. Edgewood 11-0. ! relies on the running of RB Josh Glancy WHAT TO WATCH: Reading sends its: (more than 1,400 yards) and the passspread offense against the state's N~. 1c ing of Matt Root, who threw for 302 ranked Division IV team. Reading Q~, . yards and four TDs last week.

Tony Pike has led the Blue Devils to 'I BOTTOM LINE: Edgewood has the three straight 40-point games, inc1u9ing knowledge that it has already beaten a 42-13 win over Springfield fl!orthea,stCarroll. Carroll will try to make It a lowem last week. Pike threw for357 ya~s scoring game, while Edgewood looks to and four TDs, with Adam Blevins (Six!\ keep its powerful offense (37 points per catches, 152 yards and two TDs) an~ game) on track.

Nick Berter (eight catches, 160 yarns! and a TD) giving Reading two major ~~­ ceiving threats. Versailles beat Batavia 42-7 last week. · J, WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at BOTTOM LINE: Versailles has wo~ Hillsboro HS. · five state championships, most rece~~ly RECORDS: Kings 10-1, Jackson 9-2. in 1998. Reading is playing eXtreme!~ WHAT Tt WATCH: Kings comes off a well, making this game a virtual toss:~p. i 17-10 playoff opening win over Wilmington, liehind a 185-yard, two-TO rushin·g Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com[[ ;

Colerain {2) {3).

Moeller

1

DIVISION IV

Clinton-Massie (l; Mariemont ·{4) .

DIVISION II Edgewood (1) vs. Dayton

; Carroll (4)

Reading {3) vs. Versaill~s {2) '·.

Kings {2) vs. Jackson {3)

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THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, ""

!10 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2003

lolleyball

State rmal could ttave local look 1Shannon RusseU 1e Cincinnati Enquirer

For the third time in as many !ars, crosstown rivals St. Ursula td Ursuline ceuld be competing r the Division I volleyball state tampionship.

Defending· state champion Urtline (24-3) faees Youngstown ustintown-Fitch (23-4) in a 2:30 m. semifinal· match today at 'right State University's Erving J. utter Center. Reigning stat~ run' ~r-up St. Ursula (28-0) and Tole~ St. Ursula (2!H) follow at 4 p.m.

The Division I final is at 4 p.m. aturday at Wright State, and Cininnati wins would guarantee a relatch of two of the nation's top ~ams: St. Ursula is ranked No.1 y Prepvolleyball.com and No. 1in ile Ohio Division I coaches' poll; Jrsuline is ranked No. 19 national' and No. 3 in the state. · But the deja vu isn't limited to he .local teams: Toledo St. Ursula :11d Austintown Fitch have been· ;emifinalists·the last five seasons.

Toledo St. Ursula - .ranked -lo. 6 by Prepvolleyball.com and -lo. 2hy Ohio Division I coaches;hould pose hefty problems for St. Jrsuhi. .

And while Ursuline has the staistical edge, unranked Austintown <itch won't be an easy opponent. ''That's match we care

Enquirer file photo

Maggie Schmelzle (le'ft, spiking the b.all against Kettering Fairmont) has helped St. Ursula to a No. 1 national ranking. visualization." • Meyer said a win wouldguaran·tee a match with "an Ursula," but the St. Ursula-Ursuline histoo/ adds ·another layer to the tourna: ment drama. In the past twoyears, the team that dominated in the regular season for the Girls .Greater Gincinnati League rivals has been ripe for tournament upset. .

La.st season, Ursuline won the . · state title after to St. Ursula

Madeir~· in ,position

to join record book 11ustangs go for repeat championship ' Alex Blumer 1quirer contributor

Having just secured orie state re·rd with its 45-game unbeaten :eak, the Madeira boys' soccer am now has it:§ .sights set on anher piece of history: a secOnd conci.ttive Division ill state title: When the Mustangs step into Jlumbus Crew Stadium today at p.m. against Gates Mill Hawken, .ey'll be looking to become just te fifth team in Ohio history, rerrdless of division, to· repeat as :ate champs. The last area team to o so was Turpin in 2000 .and·2o01 "You hope experience makes a ifference, and so far, it has·for us," aid .Madeira head coach Jon Uner.

Despite the loss of 12 seniors ·om last year's squad, Unger still as plenty of weapons. · Leading the way has been Jimly Cummings. The seruor midelder, who converted the winningenalty kick in last year'8 title arne, has been a force once again rls postseason.

In the first two rot.mds, with his !arn down 1-0 early on, Cummings ~arked the Mustangs to an eventu[win in both games with an unas-

'· "You hope · · experi~nce makes · a difference, and so far; it has for ' us."

Madeiia .coach Jon Unger

sisted goal. · ''That's why he's been the offensive heart of our team all season," said Unger.

Madeira's attack is far from onedimensional, though. In addition to the dangerous Javier Ibarra at forward, mid:lielders Ryan Self . and Jillnny Heisel have also played well.

Senior keeper Kevin Gilligan has been excellent in goal once again, following up a state-leading 16 shutouts in 2002 with another 14 this season.

"His positioning is so solid, you don't always realize how good he is/' Unger said of his keeper.

Gates Mill Hawken will be making a championship-game appear· ance for the third time in the four year history of the Division ill tournament. They won the state title in 2000. .

Daughe y: NBA surplus of attitud~.

From Page Cl

Nuggets scored 60 scored seven in sport turns you off to the National , is good if you are 8 Basketball Association. It turns playing on 'you off so much, you don't watch Denver's newest sensatloh, the games. Even as the raw ability man currently second leaps and bounds like· never beleague's · oe-\J·lVJLece:r. G:arm1elo fore. Even as gravity shows it has ,Anthony, no relevance. Even as the NBA is 13 shots the finest mix of sport and artistic he looked fab11lotts u<ml!~i"· self-expression ever devised. You The Toronto don't watch.

76 points a game.

It's ironic that the most essen- teams average tial team game is dominated by shoot 40 percent or divas and Me-Men. How silly was field. On any given 111guL•, .tUit:u it last week, when fires left thouIverson needs 30 sands homeless and several dead, 30 points. Iverson had that Shaq and Kobe could engage NBA's state-of-the-art 'in an ego-feud, even as they could been supplanted byAnltliOJlY see the smoke and ash from the James. And by Bryant, acxust~ tinted windows of their fine auto- sexual assault. mobiles?'.

That doesn't matter.

If attitude must rule, OK F'me. NBA. It has LeBron,"'"'"'-·~ Can anybody make a shot? bles on the cover 01f'f~,J.:fs~~e.

Your average NBA player has The league knows w The Associated Press names for his dunks. Here's one ain't the quality of the proaut:t.

LeBron James (left) and Carmelo Antltony are only rookies, but they for his jump shot: MIA.. have caughton quickly to the ways of the NBA: They're putting up On Tuesday night, the Denver · plenty of shots and spending a lot of time in the spotlight.

orne reward for La Salle, Ander on Draw Colerain, Elder on road

By Carey Hoffman

Projected local playoff pairings

Enquirer contributor

Ali-local matcliups ofAnderson at Elder; La Salle at Colerain promise to highlight the official Division I first-round playoff pairings when · · they are 'officially released by the Iiiii Anderson (8) at Elder (1) Ohio High School Athletic Associ- llllla Salle (7) at Colerain (2) .ation this afternoon. .

II Huber Hts. Wayne (6) at Moeller (3) . Harbin computer rating expert 1111 Clayton 'Northmont (5) at Mason (4) · Steve Shuck tabulated Harbin toDivision 11 . talsforteiuns across this region as IIIII Vandalia Butler (8) at Edgeregular season play got ready to wood (1) wrap up Saturday night.

There was relief at Anderson, II Wilmington (7) at Kings (2) which earned the final Division I IIIII Mount Healthy (6) atJackson (3) berth.

Ill McNicholas (5) at Dayton Carroll (4) "Last Monday, the kids were Division 111 down at practice· because until IIIII Wyoming (6) at St Mary's (3) Sunday morning, they thought we ·were in out of it," coach VmceSurDivision IV iano said. "I told them all we could . Ill Oakwood (S) atCiinton-Massie (1) · do was take control of how we . Ill Batavia (7) at Versailles (2) play. Our seiliors have won 29 of llll Springfield Northeastern (6) at 30regularseasongamesandlwas Reading (3) dreading· telli:D.g them on Sunday llll Jonathan Alder (5) at Mariethat we didn't get in." . mont (4) The Redskins needed some help Friday.

Division V "We needed three things to 1111 Fenwick (8) at Marion Pleasant (1) happen to get in, a win from Moel- liiBCHCA (7) at Bainbridge Paint Valler,forusto beat Lakota West and ley (2) hope that someone from our 1111 Jacobs Center {6) at Morral Ridgeleague.gave us help. Ifs good to dale (3) get to have a chance to compete, there are a lot of good teams packing up their equipment this mom- · ing."

P-Whlte 1 run (Ryan kick)

Matchups pair the No.8 team · the regtOn • at N0. 1, N0 •.7 at ill N0 ' 2' N'o'• ·6 at No • 3 and No • 5 at N0. 4.

Other Division I matchups besides Anderson (8)-Elder (1) and La Salle (7)-Colerain (2) ai-e projected as Huber Heights Wayne . . _. (6) at Moeller_(3).-ancLCl~on Northrnorit(5) at Mason (4): Five area teams are expected to ·get Division II berths. The projected matchups: W!lmington (7)Kings (2), Vandalia Butler (8) at Edgewood (1), Mount Healthy (6) atJackson (3) and McNicholas (5) at Dayton Carroll (4). The most surprismg aspect in Division II was the team that moved into the ninth position. Withrow, which won its final six games, ended up just behind No. 8 Vandalia Butler, and actually. could have passed Butler for the final berth if one more of Withrow's defeated opponents had managed to win in WeeklO. · Wyoming is the only local team to earn a Division III berth. The Cowboys should earn the No. 6 slot, which would have them travel to No.3 St. Mary's.· In Division IV, the matchups shape up as Dayton Oakwood (8) !\t Clinton-Massie (1), Batavia (7) at Versailles (2), Springfield Northeastern (6) at Reading (3) and Jonathan Alder (5) at Mariemont (4). . .

In Division V, Middletown Fenwick held the No. 8 position, but could have been edged out of the playoff picture with a Columbus Bishop Hartley victory late Saturday. .

Two other local teams definitely appear to be Division V qualifiers: No.7. CHCA will .travel to No.2 Bainbridge Paint Valley, and No.6 Jacobs Center will visit No. 3 Morral Ridgedale.

McNicholas 39, Purcell Marian 17 McNick's Zach Denton rushed for 179 yards on 18 carries and threw for 139 yards. .

Purcell Marian...................

~lcNicholas....................

7 .13

0 5

0 10 ··'17 8 13 •. 39

M-Denton 38 run (Huber kick) M-Wilson3run(kickblocked), M-Huber 20 field goal M-Safety,Robinsontackledponterlnsndzons M-~oehm 21 pass from Denton (Byrne run) P-Woods 95 pass from White (Ryan kick) M-Denton 1 run [l<ick bloci<Sd)

~~a~'~3 1fi~~ ~~~ber kick) Reconls: M 7-3, P 5·5.

Taylor 6.1, Summit 0 Sophomore quiu-terbacksoph-- · omore quarterback Blake Mullins completed three offive.passesfor 97 yards and three scores.

Ta1lor ................................. 40 · 14 Summrt:.............................. 0 0

7 0

0 -61 0 -0

T-Mul!!ns 36 run (Ashcraft l:lck)

T-strohman 41 pass from Mulllns (kick failed) T-Strohman 20 pass from Mullins (run failed) T-Gottman 25 pass frorf\·Mullins (Ashcraft kick) T-Tamaska 44 run (Ashcraft kick)

T-Wanstrath 35 yard interception return (Ashcraft kfck) T-Tamaska 56 (Ashcraft kick) · T-Gottman 53 run (Ashcraft kick) T-Thomas 30 run (Ashcraft kick) Records:T 4~6, S 2·7.

Reading 48, CCD 7 .

Reading's Tony Pike broke three school records while completing 14 of 20 passes for 307 yards Saturday.

The senior quarterbackbroke therecordforrnostcareerpassing yardage with 3,702 yards, He also set the record of most touChdown passes in a game with five, and broke Elder head coach Doug Ramsey's single-season yardage record with 2,015 yards.

ceo..................................

Reading.............................

7

o ·oo 0o - -481

20 28

R-Bie~ins

50 pass from Pike (Gilland kick) R-Fletcher lrun (kick falied) R-B!evins 2 pass from Pike (Gilland kick) C-Holloman 41 pass from Smith {Frank kick) R-8erter 51 pass from Pike (Gertz pass from Barber) R-Berter 8 pass from Pike (Gilland kick) R-Gertz 34 pass from Pike (Gilland kick) R-Dick 3 run (kick failed) Record~: R 8-2, C 4-6.

Jacobs 46, lockland 12 Donald McBriderushedfor 218 yards on 14 carries and Duane Grigsby 156 yards on 10 carries.

Jacobs..............................

6 22

Lockland............................ · 0

6

12

6 -46

6

0 -12

J-McBnds 50 run [kick failed) J-Grigsby 66 pass from Mincy (Robinette from Mincy) J-McBride·lrun (kick falied) l-Grissom 69 pass from Farley (kick failed) J-Grigsby 45 run (Osie from Mincy) L-Draheim 12 fumble recovery (run failed) !-Grigsby 50 nm [kick failed) J-Malone 23 pass from Mincy {kick failed) J-Mincy 6 run (kick failed) Records: J 8-2, l3"7.

Malone wins finale Terry Malone ended his storied football coaching career on a positive not, notching a 45-7 win over North College Hill at Hamilton. ';

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~ __ ,.._ ~----..----_..--_,.,.... __ -._- .___,..____.;...__.-·~......--..:...-~-~__.....-._.

FOX19

Classic makes TV history Greater Cincinnati loves its prep football; but few dreamed of a day when games would air on · live local TV. That day has come: And longtime locals cannot remember a precedentfor over-theair (non-cable) regular-season TV prep football. · Last week, it was announced FOX19 will carry the inaugural · FOX19 Prep Classic on Sept. 5 from Paul Brown Stadi, urn. The tele, cast will include live coverage of the Moeller-Louisville st: Xavier game at noon and ElderHighlru1ds at Tom 2:30p.m: A Groeschen third game; Colerain-An· derson at 5 p.m., will be tape-delayed untilll p.m. because of FOX's prime-time obligations.

It is believed no school, including Moeller-and Princeton in their 1970s/80s glory years, has had gameseanied on live.local "net· work"TV.TI1ere is no foolproof referr::nce point on such a detail, butcalls to many longtime local sports and medi(l personalities could not turn up an instance of live, regular-season prep football · TV games in Cincinnati.

The Ohio state finals are car-· ried.live annually by the Ohio News Network, available in most of Cincinnati on Tinle Warrier dig• ita! cable.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association bans "live" Friday telecasts, but some rr::gular-season games can be seen Fridays via . tape delay on local cable access;.

"Live TV games are OK any other day of the week dwing regular season, but we like to protect our Friday night gate/' ORSAA spokesman Bob Goldring said.

Sept. 5 is also the annual Riverfest fireworks, and the football organizers hopeto attract some of the crowd into Paul Brown Stadi.urn durirtg the day. The hope is to c·getat leasT45;000 fo(thellaylong-. · football fest.

TI1e Prep Classic is a collaborative effort by Hanillton County of• :ficials, the Cincinnati Bengals, Anthony Munoz Foundation, Cris Collinsworth ProScan Foundation · and the Marvin Lewis Community Fund. Jt is being promoted by Hacks Sports, which staged multiteam football events at Ryle High School in recent years.

Collinsworth and Munoz, it · turns out, were trying independently to stage such an event at Paul Brown Stadium. The former Bengals teammates joined forces, and the event came together when the Bengals annotinced fuey would 'install artificial turf for the 2004 season. No more grass, no · more worries about turf damage: And the TV angle? Collinsworth had a connection with FOX19 general manger John Long, with .

FOX19 having carried Collinsworth's Fifth Third celebrity golf classic the past three years. · "I talked to John about sWitching it over to prep football," Collinsworth said. "We also got won· derful cooperation from fue city, county and the Bengals to do something really spectacular."

FOX19 sports anchor Dan Hoard will team with Collinsworfu and Munoz on fue telecasts.

This week's college commitments The Enquirer wm list college commitments frOm athletes Involved in football and basketball. and Division I slgnings from au ottler state·sanctloned sports. All others wm be Us~d online at Cinclnnati.Com. Commitments. reported in the past week Include~

·BASEBAll Brian Day, Moeller: Cincinnati K~in Heasley, Turpin: Navy Ben Huntef, Moeller: Furman · Bobby Oberschlake, Western Brown: Miami u. .

David Oberly, Mo~Uer. Cinclrmati Mark Olexa; Moeller. Olllo Tyler Stovall, f/,oeHer. Central Michigan BOYS' BASKE!BALL Justin: Beigel, Colerain: St.John fisher (N.Y.} FOOmALL era·noon Boehm, McNichOlas WR: Maurit Union Kris Bappe!,_ McNicholas Ol: Wittenberg Blake Carter, MoeUerWR: Central Florida BIU Cleary, Moeller- WR: Depauw _ • Zach Denton, McNicholas QB: Eastern Kentucky David Dransmin, Colerain OB: Thomes More Andy f!etd_ers, Car<{lbelt CountY LB! nwmas More· Tim Rammer, McNicholas DB: Wittenberg Beau Goodhart, Moeller LB: lelligh Steve Hf!nnegan, Colerain lB: Manetta D.J. H!Ow::fllec, MoeUer DB: Wittenberg.

Kevin Huber, McNicholas P: Cincinnati• Mike Huernamp, Roger Bacon DB: Franklln Ryan Lukens, Moeller lB: Ol1io State• Josh Martin, Beechwood Ol: Centre Jacoby Miller. COlerain RB: Franklin' Mike O'Keefe, Mc~ler 0~ Georgetown (Ky:) Nick Re!lar, Elder Ol: Thomas More Matt Ritter, Mct.licholas Dl: Clarion Mike Tuertscher, Colerain lB: case Western ReseNe Chris R_Litledge, Winton Woods.S: Urbaha John 6Jown, Winton Woods TE/OE:. Cumberland (Tenn.} 1om Scl1!!tz, Winton Woods K: Wabast1 Roscoe Bratton, Winton Woods, DE: Tenn.-Martin Tyrone Armstron~ Holy Cross RB: Union (Ky.) · sors• GOLF /Peter Helle, f/ioe!!er. C!ncinnali BOVS' SOCCER Paul Sparke, MoeUer: Xavier BOYS' TRACK Brent Babii:lk, Moeller: Cincinnati Sam Sharp, Moeller. South Caro!!na SWIMMING Aaron Eoi<Steln, East Central: Wnght State WRESTLING Brent Goode, Moeller. Kent State.

"Recruited walk·On Please ieport college Commitments to tgroeschen@enqui[er. com -~

Moeller season~ step·in right direction

BY DAVE .SCHUTTE ·SPORTS EDITOR DSCHUTTE@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

Community Sports Editor Dave Schutte •. 248-7570 · ' dschutte@communitypress.com

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A step in the right direction.

'That's how Moeller football coach Bob Crable assessed the 2003 season that ended Saturday with a 30-23 loss to Colerain in the Region 4, ·Division I semifinals at UC's Nippert Stadiui:n.

"Football is a nasty game and ultimately we have to develop a program that is consistent and · plays with more intensity;' Crable said.. "I'd say we developed some nastiness this season after we started the at 0-2." .

After an openipg game loss to Anderson, also at Nippert Stadium, Crable and the Moeller coaching staff held a meeting with the players to clear the air on what was ~xpected the remainder of the season.

Although• the Crusaders also lost the second game, they rebounded by winning six of the next seven to earn a playoff berth.

In a first roimd game last week, JIM OWENS/CoNTRIBUTOR Moeller posted a come-frombehind vict_ory over Huber Heights· Moeller standout wide receiver Blake Carter hauls down .a touchdown pass from quarterback Ben · · · McGrath in the fourth quarter.

Wayne before losing to Colerain.

"This group ofseniors wanted to do it and worked very hard in the weight room and during practices," Crable said. "We didn't have. to get on them in practice andultimately, they had Some success:' Crable, who played for Moeller under Gerry Faust, took over as head coach in 200.1, posting a 5-5 record but failed to make the playoffs.

The Crusaders rebounded with a 7-3record in 2002 and qualified for the post season, losing in the first round to Wayne by one point.

"Our first goal-is always win the league (Greater Catholic League)," Grable said. "We JtM' OWENS/CONTRIBUTOR would then' like to make the Senior iinebacker and team playoffs and go on · to wih the JIM OwENS/CONTRIBUTOR leader Ry;m Lukens is consoled state championship."

Quarterback Ben McGrath plunges into the endz_one with 1:23 after Moeller's loss In the · • · f . second round playoff game by ! Claiming the big prize for seconds left in the game to bring Moeller With 1n 7 pomts o an unidentified assistant coach. eighth time (1975, '76, '77, '79, · Colerain. The ensuing point after was no good.

'80, '82, '85)' may be closer than many Crusader supporters· Jfa]iz~~.--'-~ .-. •.· .~~-~':-• ·• >~'We're on track because each· yt)ar we've gotten better," Crable said. "The kids must believe in themselves, the coaches and the program to be successful. I think they have' bought in to all three." . ' Crable pointed to Colerain's Kerry Coombs. and Doug Ramsey at Elder as example of coaches who .have sold the kids ,on the program. · "I admire. what Kerry and Doug have done with their programs," Crable said. "It's one . thing to get to .the top and ·another to stay there. Both have accomplished this."

As for the loss to Colerain; Crable looked to failing at the fundamentals as the main reason.· "We missed quite a few tackles and struggled with their back (Mister) Simpson and (Eric) Fitzpatrick," Crable said. "They (Colerain) are technically sound and we knew what they were going to do, If we had played optimum responsible football against the option, we would have been successful:' Colerain won the g~me in the third quarter, outscoring Moeller.

20-0 to take a ·commanding 30.10 advantage.

"Other than the first series, .we played well in the first half," Crable said. '.'They certainly • won the third quarter and that was a great job. When you get · down to a team like Colerain . · you have to hustle, and our kids · fought hard to get back in it."

The Crusaders will.be hit ·hard by graduation, but return quarterback Chris Reisert, running backs Daniel Barnes,.

Martez Williams and Pat Watt, along with linemen Matt · Tennant, Ryan O'Keefe and Brad Libus, linebackers Alex Jaeger and Derico Murray and I defensive back Pat Farrell.

"We had so rriany injuries this year that we got the opportunity to pl~y a lot of these · younger .kids;' Crable said.

"They gotsome good garrie experience and now it's up to these kids to step up for us next year to be successful."

Moeller closed outthe season . with an 8-4 record, the best since Crable took over.

I