Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2024 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Matt Ponatoski of
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) is the 2024 MaxPreps Ohio High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior quarterback led the Fighting Crusaders to a 14-2 record and to the Division I state championship game – the school's first title-game appearance in 11 years.
For the season, Ponatoski threw for 4,187 yards and 57 touchdowns, which is the 12th-highest total in state history.
Behind the arm of junior quarterback Matt Ponatoski, Archbishop Moeller put together an 11-game win streak en route to the Division I state championship game. (Photo: Matt Smith)
In a 49-10 win over Centerville in the semifinals, Ponatoski completed 13 of 17 passes for 431 yards and six touchdowns in the first half. He only attempted one pass in the second half due to the lopsided score.
Ponatoski led the Fighting Crusaders to a 28-23 win over St. Xavier (Cincinnati) in the regional final, completing 16 of 21 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a score on the ground to help snap the Greater Catholic League rival's six-game win streak.
A week prior, Ponatoski threw for 315 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-10 win over Princeton (Cincinnati) to clinch a spot in the regional final for the fourth year in a row.
Ponatoski is also a standout baseball player and committed to play baseball at Missouri when he was 13 years old though he de-committed during his sophomore year. He is the top-rated junior prospect in the state according to
Prep Baseball Report , No. 11 nationally and No. 5 shortstop.
Cincinnati, Duke, Louisville, Purdue and Vanderbilt are among the seven FBS offers Ponatoski has landed for football. Expect more to come after a standout 2024 campaign.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Past MaxPreps Pennsylvania Players of the Year
2020 — Corey Kiner, RB, Roger Bacon (Cincinnati)
2021 — Drew Allar, QB, Medina
2022 — Lamar Sperling, RB, Archbishop Hoban (Akron)
2023 — Jordan Marshall, RB, Archbishop Moeller
