From Dwight C. Ballenger Field in Memorial Stadium on the campus of Otterbein University
Despite the setback to an Archbishop Moeller team that answered every challenge it was presented with Friday night while pressuring the Wildcats from the get-go, Saint Ignatius (7-1) has clinched its 28th OHSAA playoff appearance.
It's not exactly the way the record 11-time state champion Football 'Cats would have liked to have clinched their Ohio-best 28th trip to the OHSAA's football postseason, but in many ways it speaks volumes for the demanding schedule Hall of Fame Head Coach Chuck Kyle '69 and his gifted staff have faced this season. Computer playoff rankings guru Joe Eitel confirmed Saint Ignatius' playoff spot late Friday night.
Saint Ignatius still stands at No. 1 in the OHSAA Division I, Region 1 playoff rankings heading into today's (Saturday) action. As for Moeller (4-4), which was coming off a one-sided loss to Cincinnati Elder in The Pit last weekend, their 41-20 upset victory over the nationally recognized Wildcats vaulted the nine-time state champion Crusaders from sixth to third place in the OHSAA Division I, Region 4 playoff rankings.
Under the OHSAA Harbin playoff format, the top 8 teams in each of the state's regions at the end of the regular season qualify for the Regional Quarterfinal round of the playoffs. The regular season wraps up on Saturday night, October 28.
Here is a corner's view of what was just Archbishop Moeller's second triumph over Saint Ignatius in what are now eight meetings on the Varsity gridiron between the storied powers. It was also, however, the Crusaders' second triumph over the Football 'Cats in three years, as Moeller handed Saint Ignatius a 55-52 loss at Dublin Coffman Stadium in 2015.
Veteran Crusaders Head Coach John Rodenberg watched his defense step up on the game's third play from scrimmage, as 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior defensive back Alexander Deyhle made a leaping interception at the Wildcats' 33-yard line.
After a clutch catch and run by highly regarded 6-6, 235-pound senior tight end Brenden Bates, Moeller scored on an 11-yard touchdown burst over the right side by strong and determined senior tailback Colin Thurman. The ensuing extra-point kick failed and it was a 6-0 game with 9 minutes and 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Saint Ignatius, which hosts defending big-school State Champion Cincinnati St. Xavier (8-0) next Saturday, October 21st at 3 pm on Byers Field in Parma's Robert M. Boulton Stadium, responded with a five-play, 80-yard scoring drive that was fueled by a 55-yard run by junior tailback Jahadge "Bo" Floyd. Senior quarterback Danny Alexander capped the march with a 12-yard TD run and, after the 'Cats' PAT was off stride, the score was knotted at 6 with 7:53 to go in the opening quarter. Both kickers, the Wildcats' outstanding senior Matthew Trickett and Crusaders sophomore Kevin Thibodeaux, had to deal with the narrower college goal posts.
The rooting interests, who shared the home stands of Memorial Stadium, were heard from down the stretch of the first quarter and right up to halftime. There is no seating on the visitor's sideline, which was occupied by the Crusaders this year.
Archbishop Moeller's relentless junior defensive lineman/linebacker Ryan Mullaney (6-2, 230), a young man this corner made a point to include in our weekly preview and, quite frankly, a player that gave Saint Ignatius fits all night, scooped up a fumble and returned the pigskin 21 yards into the open end zone for a touchdown. Thibodeaux's extra point was high and true, and the Crusaders led, 13-6, with 5:27 left on the first-quarter clock.
Following a 31-yard field goal by Thibodeaux, Moeller led, 16-6, entering the second quarter.
The second quarter featured a 15-yard touchdown run by Wildcats gifted and big-hearted senior tailback/Captain Mark Bobinski off a 7-play, 75-yard drive and a big-response, 55-yard punt return for a touchdown by Crusaders multi-skilled junior wide receiver RJ Khayo.
Moeller's defense, which more than held its own against the potent Saint Ignatius offense, came up with an interception deep in Wildcats territory by senior safety/wide receiver Eric Wills. Wills' effort showed the way to 22-yard field goal from Thibodeaux that extended the Crusaders' lead to 26-13 with 1:51 remaining in the third quarter.
At that point, Saint Ignatius went to senior quarterback Kyle Hall, who had started the early part of the season as the 'Cats' No. 1 field general. Kyle promptly cut into the deficit by combining with junior wide receiver Nigel Drummond II on a 67-yard touchdown pass. Trickett's PAT made it 26-20 with 1:33 to go in the third quarter.
Mr. Momentum quickly left the Wildcats' bench after Saint Ignatius just missed on a 39-yard field-goal attempt and Thurman took charge off a 76-yard scoring run that saw Moeller's tireless tailback power inside, bounce outside and outrun the pursuit down the home sideline.
A 27-yard TD reception by Khayo off a nice timing throw from Crusaders junior quarterback/wide receiver Austin Bradfish and a safety off a sack by Moeller's season leader in tackles, 6-2, 225-pound junior linebacker Luke Szabados, sealed the deal for the team from the Queen City.
FROM COACH KYLE: "That was a very bad first quarter, you name it, turnovers and strange penalties against a good team. We had to come out and play our best, and we certainly didn't. We had some mistakes on special teams that we have to work out.
"They (the Crusaders) came out with a purpose," Coach Kyle continued. "They know that they're a good football team and we gave them a lot of momentum. Their backs were very good. They had some speed and just when we thought we were clogging it up, bang, there they would go. Thurman broke that long run and that was pressure.
"We have a lot to work on, we have to get people healthy and back out on the field, and try to regenerate our focus a little better. We have Xavier coming in and then St. Ed's after that, so we have two amazing tests. We better fix it, put it that way."
SOME NUMBERS TO CHEW ON: The Moeller defense had 10 sacks resulting in -minus 38 yards, Thurman rushed for 227 yards on 23 carries and Khayo totaled 70 yards on six receptions.
Jahadge "Bo" Floyd led Saint Ignatius' ground game with 93 yards on 12 carries. The Wildcats also got some outstanding play from senior linebacker Logan Joyce and another solid night in the secondary by senior cornerback Cam Toppin. Cam came up with an interception in the end zone that was reminiscent of his outstanding pick in the end zone at Archbishop Hoban on opening night.