Just when Cincinnati St. Xavier and Cincinnati Elder were carrying the spotlight in the national football rankings, another Greater Catholic League South division team made its impact known immediately.
The Archbishop Moeller football team added a new wrinkle to the ultra-competitive GCL-South with an emphatic 35-13 win over host Elder last week
The Crusaders (7-0), ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Division I state poll, surprised some observers with the large margin of victory at Elder’s home stadium, also known as "The Pit." The game was reportedly sold out and had two noteworthy spectators in Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen and tight end Kyle Rudolph, who is an Elder graduate.
Moeller senior running back Jeff Aubin rushed 32 times for 215 yards and three touchdowns as the Crusaders’ offensive line kept the pressure on the Elder defense all night. Moeller had 323 rushing yards to Elder’s 95. The Crusaders’ offensive line was impressive on a rainy night.
"Winning here at Elder is special," Moeller coach John Rodenberg said. "It’s great, but I also told our kids we still may see them again in the playoffs. This is just one game."
Moeller’s defense held the Panthers scoreless in the second and third quarters. Moeller senior linebacker Marcus Rush, a Michigan State commit, had a team-leading three sacks.
Moeller plays host to La Salle (4-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lockland Stadium. La Salle lost to Cincinnati St. Xavier 24-7 on Friday night.
The Bombers (6-1) had 318 total yards, compared to La Salle’s 200. St. X senior quarterback Luke Massa, a Cincinnati commit, was 10-of-18 passing for a touchdown.
File photo by Jim Owens
Conor Hundley, St. Xavier
"I think the GCL South is the best conference top to bottom in the country, so playing any league game is always special," St. X coach Steve Specht said earlier this month.
Sophomore running back Conor Hundley rushed 19 times for 125 yards. St. X, ranked No. 21 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings, plays host to Lakewood St. Edward at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Moeller will have to wait until Oct. 31 to play rival St. X in the regular-season finale at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. That game could be a playoff preview.
Braxton Miller update
Huber Heights Wayne junior quarterback Braxton Miller didn’t start for a third consecutive week but he played in the Warriors' game against Fairmont on Friday, according to the Dayton Daily News. Miller, who suffered a thigh bruise in Week 4, played some at receiver and quarterback, according to the publication. Miller is one of the state’s top players in the Class of 2011. Miller has offers from schools that include Florida, Ohio State, Michigan and West Virginia.
Wayne defeated Fairmont 21-14 to snap a two-game losing streak. The Warriors (4-3) play at Beavercreek at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Stoudt out for the year
Dublin Coffman junior QB Cole Stoudt is out for the year with a broken leg, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Stoudt is one of the state's top players in the 2011 class. He already has a scholarship offer from Cincinnati.
Dublin Coffman stays unbeaten
Dublin Coffman improved to 7-0 with a 30-7 win over Hilliard Darby on Friday night. This Week News reported Dublin Coffman starting quarterback Cole Stodut left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury. Kyle Clinton made three field goals, including a 37-yarder to help lead the Shamrocks. Dublin Coffman, ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press Division I state poll, plays at No. 8 Hilliard Davidson at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
State golf
The annual state golf tournaments begin in Columbus this week. The Division II girls’ tournament is Friday and Saturday at the Ohio State University Gray Golf Course in Columbus. The Division IIII boys’ tournament will be Friday and Saturday at Ohio State’s Scarlet Golf Course. The Division II boys’ tournament will be at North Star Resort in Sunbury. The Division I boys and girls tournaments will be played the weekend of Oct. 23 at the Ohio State courses.
No laughing matter
Columbus St. Francis DeSales junior defensive end Chris Rock is quickly becoming one of the top college prospects in Ohio’s Class of 2011. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Rock has recently added scholarship offers from Michigan, Cincinnati, Duke, West Virginia and Stanford, according to ScoutingOhio.com.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Gaby Gray, Cincinnati Sycamore: The senior volleyball standout had 19 kills to help lead the Aviators past Harrison 25-17, 26-24, 25-19 on Wednesday night. Gray is one of the nation’s top players in the 2010 class. She is orally committed to Northwestern.
Andrew Dorn, Archbishop Moeller: Won medalist honors with a 3-under par 69 at the Division I boys’ sectional golf tournament. Dorn helped lead Moeller to win the team title.
Julie Perry, Cincinnati St. Ursula: The veteran girls volleyball coach picked up her 500th career win last Tuesday. St. Ursula defeated Mercy 25-19, 20-25, 15-25, 25-20, 17-15. Perry has won eight state titles, including a national title in 2003.
Looking ahead
Dublin Coffman at Worthington Kilbourne girls volleyball, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday: Dublin Coffman can take another step closer to a perfect season this week. The Shamrocks (20-0), rated No. 6 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings, conclude the regular season with a home match against Upper Arlington at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Dublin Coffman senior Andrea Baylin (a Southeast Missouri State commit) led the Shamrocks with 106 kills (3.8 per game) late last week. Baylin and Lindsey Zitzke each had 24 service aces as of late last week.
West Chester Lakota West at Cincinnati Ursuline girls volleyball, 6:30 p.m. Thursday: Two of the top Division I teams conclude the regular season in suburban northern Cincinnati. Ursuline senior outside hitter Jade Henderson had a team-leading 217 kills at the end of last week. Lakota West junior 6-foot-6 standout Liz McMahon has a team-leading 201 kills.
Cincinnati Princeton at West Chester Lakota West football, 7:30 p.m. Friday: This is the final home game for Lakota West this season, and the Firebirds need a win to keep in contention for a Greater Miami Conference title. Princeton has won two consecutive meetings between the schools. Lakota West last defeated Princeton 35-6 on Oct. 14, 2005.
Recruiting news
Cincinnati Winton Woods senior forward Allen Payne is expected to visit Auburn on Friday. The 6-6 Payne averaged 14.9 points and 6.9 rebounds as a junior. He is also considering schools that include Virginia Commonwealth and Bradley. …Colerain senior quarterback Greg Tabar (6-1, 185) was scheduled to visit Youngstown State this past weekend. He has already visited Akron and Kent State. ...Columbus Brookhaven senior strong safety Ryland Ward (5-11, 190) added scholarship offers from Kent State and Bowling Green last week, according to ScoutingOhio.com. …Middletown Madison girls basketball star Ally Malott was expected to visit Indiana this past weekend, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Malott, a junior forward, has offers from Ohio State, Purdue, Notre Dame, South Florida and Rutgers.
Random thoughts
The OHSAA announced that Shawnee Lanes in Chillicothe will be the site for the state boys and girls bowling tournament next March. …Cincinnati Oak Hills junior linebacker Ben Russell (6-2, 215) could be close to a scholarship offer, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He has recently taken unofficial visits to Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. …Wyoming girls soccer coach Kellie Siler recorded her 100th career win at the school on Thursday as Wyoming defeated Taylor 7-0.