Just a few weeks ago, the
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) and
Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) matchup was viewed as a possible national title game in terms of rankings.
Yet after two Moeller losses in the middle of October, Friday night's game didn't carry much significance.
That didn't bother Trinity one bit. The nation's No. 3 team according to the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 presented by the Army National Guard, soundly defeated visiting Moeller 49-14.
Travis Wright
FIle photo by Jim Owens
Trinity quarterback
Travis Wright threw for 165 yards and two touchdowns,
Dalyn Dawkins rushed 16 times for 153 yards and three touchdowns and wide receiver
James Quick had seven receptions for 113 yards and two scores for the winners.
Trinity (9-0) plays host to Simon Kenton (2-8) in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs in Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4.
"We have a big target on our back, but we've lived with that and know how to handle that," Trinity coach Bob Beatty told the Louisville Courier-Journal.
It was the first undefeated regular season for Trinity since 2002.
Moeller (7-3), which won the Greater Catholic League South division, concluded the regular season with three consecutive losses to non-area opponents, including Indianapolis Cathedral (26-24) and Lakewood St. Edward (42-27).
"I told our team those were three tough teams to get us ready for the playoffs," Rodenberg told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Rodenberg said that Trinity was one of the top five teams he's ever seen play.
Rodenberg said earlier this week that the Crusaders wanted to continue to improve as they prepare for the playoffs.
"We see the Trinity game as a great opportunity to get better," Rodenberg said. "To play a team that caliber is better than winning 50-0 (against another opponent). Our goal is to be a better football team after the game…"
Moeller is projected to among the top seeds in the Division I Region 4 playoffs in Ohio next week. The Ohio High School Athletic Association will announce the playoff pairings on Sunday.
