MOELLER V ST. XAVIER (GCL)

It's been a few years since I made a post on this blog. I'm a very passionate fan of the Crusaders, know many moms and dads of players, and attended the school from 1988 to 1992. Given recent coaching changes, schedule changes, my own busy schedule, and Moeller mediocrity I've found it hard to sit down and write a complete post regarding Moeller Football. This year seems rather special so far. Having downed a couple of quality opponents, and absolutely crushing a couple more, we seem poised to possibly make a serious run toward an undefeated (or one loss, if Louisville St. Xavier continues to live up to their current national stature) season and run deep into the playoffs. To be completely honest, after seeing the schedule prior to the beginning of this season, I was mostly concerned about the first losing season in the history of the program. Thankfully, I was WAY off. These Men of Moeller have talent, are well conditioned and disciplined, and ready to take on whoever stands in their path.

Let's make a ststement next week. Let's show the nation that we are ready to play with the big boys again. The Bombers are no slouches, and a victory here is pretty substantial.

GO BIG MOE!

MOELLER @ ELDER (GCL)

It's a date at the Pit for the Moeller Crusaders and Elder Panthers this Friday. While the Crusaders have been looking very good over the course of the season, this game provides an opportunity for the Panthers to put themselves back on the map for the playoff hunt this season. Elder does not want to finish 0-3 in the GCL, they have a lot of pride and will be playing their absolute best this weekend. All signs point to a Big Moe victory, but in the GCL any team can win any given week. Since I didn't receive an option to renew my season tickets this year, there will be a scrambling for tickets.

GO BIG MOE!

Moeller Looking Good

I've been able to catch 2 games this year, Mission Viejo and LaSalle. Even though one was a loss, Moe looked good against a very good opponent. They absolutely dominated LaSalle on both sides of the ball. Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been busy looking for a job and will try to update more frequently in the near future. :)

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!