The second game of the day at St. Xavier featured the nation's top QB Braxton Miller against Moeller on ESPNU. Miller started out strong for Huber Heights Wayne with a 27 yd TD run halfway through the first quarter to grab a quick 7-0 lead. Moeller responded with TD run of their own by Tyler Skove from 6 yards out to tie the score at 7.
The Warriors then took a 28-7 lead on two Miller TD runs of 75,31 and a 17 yard INT return for a TD. Skove once again showed all watching that he was a force to reckoned with on this day. Just before halftime Skove scampered from 6 yards out to cut the Warriors lead to 28-14 with 11 seconds left before halftime. The late touchdown by Skove made believers in the Crusaders that they can get back into this game and get a "W".
Moeller head coach John Rodenberg must have stressed at halftime that they must contain Miller a bit and sustain some long drives. The halftime talk must have worked because Moeller came roaring out with a TD run by Skove once again on the first drive to cut the lead to 7. After a Warrior punt, Skove scored again on the what might have been the play of the game. On fourth down on the Warrior 12, Moeller went for it and drew up a screen pass to Skove for his fourth TD that sent the Crusader fans into a frenzy. After three quarters the score was now tied at 28. The Crusader defense held strong in the 3rd quarter with allowing just one yard of offense to Wayne.
The fourth quarter consisted of a chess match between the two squads, but neither team getting on the scoreboard. Finally after a Wayne punt, Moeller gained possession on its own 34 with only a few minutes left. Nine plays later, Skove once again answered the call with a leaping one yard TD with 11 seconds left. Wayne was unable to have a "Music City Miracle" comeback on the following kickoff and Moeller stood tall with a 35-28 victory. What a game for the Moeller Crusaders!!
A tale of two halves. What amazing adjustments by the Moeller coaching staff at halftime to contain Miller (just 29 yards on 13 carries in the second half) and the Warrior offense. Moeller racked up 461 yards of offense (227 passing and 234 rushing) compared to Wayne's 295 yards. Skove led the Moeller running attack with 32 carries for 151 yards and 5 (1 receiving)TDs. The Crusader receiving corp was led by Monty Madaris's 5 catches for 111 yards.
Next for Moeller is Hamilton on Saturday September 4th at 7:30 at Lockland Stadium. Good Luck Crusaders!
Here are some team statistics from the game courtesy of gclsports.com
(0) Comments
Leave a Response