MOELLER @ COLERAIN *PLAYOFFS ROUND 1*

What more can you say about this matchup? Moeller takes on it's third top 3 state opponent in 3 weeks. The Colerain Cardinals come to play, every week, every year. Kerry Coombs is a fantastic coach, tough, level headed, and figures out how to beat bad teams soundly and good teams consistently. I haven't seen the Cards play this year, but if recent years are any indication, it will be run, run, run all night, until the defense stops them. Fortunately, the Crusaders bring the defensive heat with one of the best lines in the nation, and a decent linebacking corps to back them up. The problem is, Moeller has not been able to figure out how to score since early in the St. Edward game 2 weeks ago. That's right, seven straight quarters without a single point. Though this is what can happen when you play top caliber opponents, changes will need to be made if we hope to score against yet another incredible defense in Colerain. Bottom line: if Moeller can figure out how to score, they will win. Otherwise, the season ends early for the Crusaders.

GO BIG MOE!

Harbin Projections

Most are predicting that Big Moe will make the playoffs win or lose this Friday at St. Xavier. Should they pull off a big victory and GCL title, the Crusaders will likely snare a 6 seed, and possibly set up a neighborhood rivalry game in the first round of the playoffs with Sycamore. Should Moeller do the unthinkable and lose to the Bombers, most project them at either an 8 seed to play St. X for the second week in a row, or a 7 seed to take on the mighty Colerain Cardinals. We shall see. Hopefully, all doubts will be put to rest on Friday night with a big win!

GO BIG MOE!

MOELLER @ ST. XAVIER (GCL)

It's fitting that the biggest game of the year is also the last. This Friday, the Moeller Crusaders will line up against the St. Xavier Bombers at Ballaban Field. The Bombers come into the game as the #1 team in the state, ranked in most polls as a top 10 team nationally. They bring a complete package to the game, and a 17-0 win over perennial north power St. Ignatius. The Crusaders are coming off of a 7-17 loss to the St. Edward Eagles, having played a great game in a losing effort. This game also happens to be for the undisputed Greater Catholic League title, as the winner will finish 3-0 in league play. If Moeller cannot pull off a victory, they will need a LOT of help to make the playoffs (thanks Henderson County), that combined with a potential GCL title will have the Crusaders fired up for this week's contest. The Bombers have the incentive of an outright GCL title and a potential city championship on the line. This will be one of the best and most important GCL games in years, so if you have the ability, get tickets now.

GO BIG MOE!

PrepNation Props for Coach Crable

Link

NATIONAL COACH OF THE WEEK
Bob Crable - Moeller (Cincinnati)
Crable and staff prepared the Crusaders for a dominating 26-0 upset win over Harrisburg (Pa.). For the game, Harrisburg could muster only 30 net yards of total offense. The Cougars, who entered the game ranked No. 22 in the National Prep Poll, had been averaging 347 yards and 43 points per game. Moeller, now 5-2, nearly upset No. 11 Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) earlier in the season. Two more Top 25 tests await (St. Edward on Oct. 21 and St. Xavier on Oct. 27) and could eventually launch Moeller into the national rankings. Crable, a former Moeller star player who later played in the NFL, is 43-23 in his sixth season as head coach.

MOELLER @ LAKEWOOD ST. EDWARD

In what could potentially be the Crusaders' toughest game of the year, Big Moe travels to a hostile environment in Lakewood, OH to take on the state's #2 ranked team. Earlier in the year, St. Ed's lost a very close game to St. Xavier at the Bomber's home field. The Eagles were considered by many (including myself) to be the preseason favorites to win the state title, but have not played up to potential despite a phenomenal lineup of athletes. They are coming a lackluster win (if that can be said about beating St. Ignatius), and hit a Moeller squad that is playing as well as any team in the state. Moe will have a lot of confidence having demolished nationally ranked Harrisburg, PA, and this game should go down to the wire. Right now, Moe is playing better than Ed's, but the Eagles have homefield advantage.

GO BIG MOE!

MOELLER V HARRISBURG (PA)

In the first and only "real" home game of the year, the Crusaders take on the Harrisburg, PA (was unable to determine their mascot from the website, but it appears to possibly be a panther or another jungle kitty). Also lacking are scores from the season. Through other sites, I have been able to discern that they are indeed a fantastic squad, ranked 12th in the nation by CalPreps and 7th in the East Region of the USA Today poll. Undefeated, and playing in the great state of Pennsylvania, this will undoubtedly be another test for the suddenly mighty Fighting Crusaders!

GO BIG MOE!

MOELLER V ELDER (GCL)

In a move that will undoubtedly be supported by many, but not by me, the contest between the Crusaders and Panthers has been moved to Nippert Stadium on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Regardless, it should be a good GCL game between rivals from different sides of the city. The way I see it, both teams have improved as the season has gone on. The Crusaders appear to have made a vast jump from week 1, whereas the Panthers have moved step by step with a hiccups against what are probably 2 of the best teams in the nation. They played St. Xavier very strongly last week, despite losing 15-30, while the Crusaders beat up on LaSalle 38-17 in a game that was dominated by the Moeller offense and was not as close as the score indicated. Moeller should win a relatively close game by about 2 touchdowns, but I feel the game will be closer since the rivalry is so intense.

GO BIG MOE!