Moeller High School 1991-92 Football News Articles/Stats

Class action: How the top players st~ck up(~

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by various recruiting sought by Cincinnati, in the area:

Woodward junior Damon Flint, rated one of the nation's premier services, also is considered Greater Cincinnati's top recruit. Flint is Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio State and others. Here's a list of outstanding

Greg Simpson*, Lima Senior

G

6-1

· 170

Ohio's Mr. Basketball as a junior

Che Smith, Woodward

F

6-6

220

Hampered by pre-season

Scott Tomsick, Indian Hill

G/F

6-2

160

One of state's top soccer goalkeepers

Tom West, Taylor

F

6-6

205

Signed with Kent State University.

kne~

injury

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· NAME, SCHOOL

Eric Johnson, Woodward

· . . ·: ;'•'SOPHOMORES .. · _ ·

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POS. HGT. WGT. COMMENT F <·.· 6.:4 . 185 ; ' Division fprograms already irit~rested . . :, ' F 6-3 175 Potential to be future star for Bulldogs

• - Lima Senior is a member of the Greater Miami Conference, which contains seven area schools.

Simpson has signed with Ohio State.

Moeller Product Can't Gel Enough Of Football

Michigan recruit Paul Barry (77) clears there way for Moeller· High School running back carlos Collins. Moeller coach.

Steve Klonne believes that Barry may have been the finest lineman to ever suit up for Moeller. . ·

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Photo courtesy of Press Community NOW8fiapers. Cincinnati

South's roster for Ohio's annual North-South All-Star game on July 13.

Barry's tools - size, enough strength to bench press 370 pounds and win GCL championships in the discus and shot put, in addition to a 4,0-yard-dash time of 5.0 secondsand the way he ptit them to use - increased the interest of college recruiters. He was ranked among the nation's top I00 recruits

by G&W RECRUITING REPORT. In addition, SCARLET & GRAY ILLUSTRATED and the BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN, two newspapers that focus on Ohio State athleiics. both ranked Barry among the top potential Buckeye recruits. SGI pointed out that Barry is good friends with Jack Thrush, a Moeller product who plays center for Ohio State.

Barry visited Ohio State. He also travelled to Notre Dame, Vi{ginia, Penn State and, of course, Michigan. His host in Ann Arbor was red-shirt freshman linebacker Jason Kendrick. Zenkcwicz was one of his fellow visitors.

"Trent aild I a~c pretty good friends," Barry said. "We talked a .couple of times about where we were going to school, but we never said, 'If you're going there, I'm going there, ioo.' I guess we both just decided that it was a pretty good school."

Barry said that, in his mind, it was "all the other schools vs. Michigan."

"I chose Michigan because of the family atmosphere. and the players arc down to earth," he said. "They're not conceited.

They also have great coaches and facilities, but most of all, .I'll be able to get a great education." Barry plans to ,major in busi-

ness.

By Mark Schmet7.er hen Paul Barry was in the eighth grade at St. Columbine Catholic grade school in the Cincinnati suburb of Loveland, he weighed too much to piay <ln the school football team.

But that dido 't stop Barry from participating in the sport he had already grown to· Jove.

"I went to practice anyway, just for i~e fun of it," be said. "I don't know what I would do without football."

The 6--4, 285-pound Barry ·will spend "the next four years playing football for Michigan- probably offensive guard. He is one of 21 players who make up a recruiting clmss considered by many experts to be the ' best in the nation.

Barry, 17, is one- literally- big reason fo1 the respect accorded to Michigan's recruiting class. As a tackle at perennial powerhouse Moeller High School in.

Cincinnati, he was considered to be among the nation's top high school offensive_ line-

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"He's tlu:•best fundamental blocker in Ohi<!,'; said John McCallister of PREP FOOTBALL PROSPECTS OF OHIO. "I ' like hini because he's strong, he moves well, and he plays hard and aggressive." .

"Paul showed good feet and great driveblocking ability this season," said Tom Lemming, who publishes the PREP FOOTBALL REPORT. "He is a fiery player who · comes off the b~ll with speed and power. He is both a standout run-. and pass-blocker."

"He's a powerful run blocker who pulls well. and he's an excellent pass-blocker," said Moeller head coach Steve Klonne.

"He's one of the rare two~year starters we've had here at MoeUer, and in two years, Paul's man has never pressured the quarterback.

He's one of the best, if not the best~ offensive lineman we've had here at Moeller."

Klonnc went on to describe Barry as "tough." "tenacious" and "smart" enough to pull a 3.1 grade-point average and make the Spanisll Honor Society.

"He's a very hard worker,'' Klonne added.

Barry has lo be a hard worker in order ·to work part-time jobs bussing lables at a local "'-<llnlraatl nnd dclivt>rlnlt ninAL He o.lm nar-

ticipates in a pastoral.min_istry, student government and the local Big "Brother program.

Barry says he has always loved football.

He recalls watching Notre Dame on television •s a youngste• and later adding Big Ten footboll to his viewing pauerns. He loved the sport enough to lose about 20 pounds in order to qualify for the seventh-grade team, playing nose guard and offensive line, The , next year, howeve~, the weight barrier became too much for him to even consider trying to meet the limit, so he satisfied him-· self by just going to practice. · He doesn't know where he gets his size.

His father, Jack. was captain of the football. basketllall and baseball teams at McNicholas High School in Cinc.innati in the early 1960s.

"He played h>ilfb;c·k on offen$e and defense," Barry says of his father, whom.he also describes as the person he mosi admires. "He's just a little guy." . ·.

Barry also has an uncle, Joe, who resigned from his job as an assistant basketball coach at Miami <!f Ohio in November to take an administralive position at the school.

Wherever Paul gets his size, it came in handy once he got to Moeller,, which is about as close to a college football program as a high school team can get. Moeller has won several Ohio big-school state championships over the past 20 years, and the school is an automatic entry on every college recruiters' itinerary. Among the players sent on to play

~~~~;~r!o~b~~';~~~t!ya~~e ~-~:;~n~s~~ Notre Dame; quarterbacks Mark Kamphaus at Boston College and Scott Schaffner at Minnesota-; plus _Michigan free safety Vada Murray, who just wrapped up his collegiate career.

Moeller also prOduced the Larkin brothers: Mike, a Notre Dame football star, Barry, an all-state defensive back in high school who played college baseball at Michigan before going on to become an all-star shortstop. with the Cincinnati Reds; and Byron, the all-time leading basketball scorer at Xavier Unive111ity.

Barry had no problem fitting Into Moeller·~ football ltadltion. Hla freshman football tMm: went 1,0 to win lite Ore&tcr

Cincinnati League freshman champiZenkewicz was subjected to some harsh onship. As a sophomore splitting time criticism from Ohio State supporters after he announced that he was going to Michigan. between the varsity and junior varsity, he Barry's announcement did not generate the helped the junior varsity to a 9-1 record (second place in lhc- GCL) and the varsity same response, however.

"I think people in Cincinnati like to a 9-2 mark.

Michigan more than Ohio Stale," he said. , He became a varsity starter as a junior, Long-time Michigan assistant coach Jerry but .saffered a torn cartilage in his knee ·Hanlon, a native of the Cincinnati area and during the season which required arthroscopic surgery after the campaign. Despite ·.the coach who is primarily responsible for· recruiting Barry, also was a ·:pretty big influthe injury, he helped Moeller to an 11-3 , · overall record and to the Division I State- 'ence in my decision," Barry SJ.id. . '· ·Even though Barry's favorite pro footChampionship game/where the CrusaderA ·Josi to Clev·erand St. Ignatius. The . ball player is an offensive tackle, Anthony Munoz of the Cincinnati Bengals, and his champion Wildcats were led by senior favorite college player is an offensive tight end John Jaeckin and junior defentackle, Michigan's Greg Skrepenak, he sive tackle Trent Zenkewicz, both of says he has no problems with a shift to whom .will be Barry's ieammates at guard.

Michigan. ·"The coaches said they would put me Barry was_ named Moeller's Most where they need me," he said. "I don't care Improved Junior thai year and earned honorif it's offensive line, defensive line, defenable mention on the all-city team. sive backfield or offensive backfield. I just Even though Barry was slowed by off-seawant to contribule." son surgery on his ;,jured knee, he was still regarded highly enough let be considered one of the nation's top players going into his

senior season.

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"He's a defi11ite major-college player,"_ · Klcinne said early in the season. "He's slowly getting it all back. He's playing with some . pain righi how and he's a little slow by our standards, but that's because of the surgery."

"It's fine," Barry reported in mid-April.

"There's no problem at all." .

Barry's inlury certainly didn't hamper him on the field. After Moeller lost to MI. Carmel, Ill., 21-7, in the second game of the season, the Crusaders launched an eight· game win streak that produced a 9; I regularseason record, plus another in· a long line of G~L- championships and the mythical city title as determined in a weekly poll of coaches ..

Moeller's record earned the Crusaders a berth in the state playoffs, where they suffered a 21-17 first-round loss to Middletown.

That loss did little to dull the luster of Barry's season. Among the honors he earned were Player of the Year from the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, first-team all-state from the Assocl1ted Press, All-America from . PARA DB muaz.lne and I IDOl on thl

The Barry File

Position: Offensive Tackle Helght:6-4 Welght:285 High School: Moener (Cincinnati, Ohio) Blrthdate: July 20, 1973 Best 40-Yard Dash Time: 5.0 Best (one rep) Bench Press: 370 Other Schools Considered: Ohio State, VIrginia, Noire Dame and Penn State.

Selected Honors: ; PARADE magazine All-America • USA TODAY honorable mention AnUSA team • SUPERPREP pre- and post-season AH-Midwes~ he was listed 23rd nalionally amo119 offensive linemen • TOM LEMMING PREP FOOTBALL REPORT pre- and post-season AllMidwest • $TREET & SMITH pre-season Senior to WalCh • Associated Press firslleam An-Ohio • CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Player ol the Year

Massillon

Moeller mystique missing -

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Crusaders facing most defeats in one season

BY JOHN FAY The Cincinnati Enquirer

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There's more at stake for Moeller than a playoff berth Friday night when the Crusaders play Princeton at Galbreath Field.

If the Crusaders lose, they would finish 6-4. And no team in Moeller history has lost four games.

From the mid1970s to mid-1980s, four Moeller losses in a singleyear was unimaginable when you consider:

· Prep football

• From 1975 to 1982, they won 95, lost two and won six of eight state championships.

• Moeller went 13 straight seasons without losing more than one game in a season.

But those days of domination are over. Since 1986, Moeller has lost 16 football games. In the 13 seasons before that, they lost seven.

"There's no way we can dominate like we once did," coach Steve Klonne said. "We've gone from 1,050 (students) to 750.

"We have 140 boys in our senior class. We don't have the numbers we used to have and don't have the depth."

But Moeller isn't the only school affected by the numbers game.

Enrollment is down significantly at all the city's Catholic schools, compared to the 1970s. Moeller, with 770 students, is third largest among the schools in the Greater Catholic League Conference South behind St. Xavier (1,279) and Elder (861) and ahead of La Salle (671).

If it's not numbers, what is it? There are a lot of theories. Among them: - • Fewer great athletes .. Moeller has had 32 AllAmericans, but only one since 1985. No Moeller product playing in college now could be considered a star.

"In the past, they always had great athletes," St. Xavier coach Steve Rasso said, "some of the best athletes to ever play here. They also had the numbers and size to go with the athletes."

• Everyone has caught up. "(Gerry) Faust was ahead of his time as far as number of assistant coaches and offseason programs," said Mike Cameron, a Moeller assistant from 1967 to '81. "It was more like a college program. More and more sch0()ls have gone to that."

Faust coached Moeller from the school's opening in 1963 until 1980. The Crusaders went 9-1 in '63 and were consistently the top local team by the early '70s.

• Success has haunted them. Because the Crusad-

ers have been so successful, some local teams are reluctant to play them. So unless the Crusaders are a great team, they are likely to lose somewhere during the course of 10 games.

This year, Moeller was forced to fill an open date on its schedule with a second game against Elder and two others with out-of-state teams. One of the losses was to one of the out-of-state teams- Erie, Pa., Prep -and the others were to Elder.

"If we're not dominant anymore," Klonne said, "I wish some of our inner-city rivals would schedule us."

His point: If you replace the second Elder game and the Erie game with any two teams in Southwest Ohio, Moeller most likely would be going into Friday's · Princeton game 9-1.

"Moeller is a really good football team," Elder coach Tim Grippa said. "It's not a matter of them being down, it's a matter of Elder being up.

"Moeller has a legitimate shot at beating Princeton."

Moeller has been in this situation before. In 1989, when Moeller finished as the state runner-up, the Crusaders went into the Princeton game 7-2; a loss would have kept them out of the playoffs.

"We had to win," Klonne said, "and we did."

Moeller begins Elder loss leav~s Crusaders with no margin for error -

By Mark Schmetzer

Press Contributor

· There are several reasons Moeller wants to win this Friday night's clash with Princeton at Galbreath Field; there's. only one reason the Crusaders need to win.

"If we win, we're. in the

playoffs,'' Crusaders head coach Steve Klonne said. "If we don't, we're not. It all comes down to this game. It's a do-or-die situation."

Moeller was 6-2 and in third place behind No. 1 Princeton and No. 2 Elder in Region 4 of the Ohio Division I Harbin ratings going into last Friday's game against Elder. The top four teams in each region make the playoffs and Moeller needed to beat either Elder last week or the Vikings this week to guarantee a spot in postseason play. · The Crusaders, of course, lost to Elder for the second time this season. Therefore, they must beat the Vikings Friday night to qualify.

This is an unusual position for Moeller, which has failed to · qualify for- the playoffs only three times in the system's 19 years of existence. But, then, this has been an unusual season for' the football factory on Montgomery Road. ?-be Crusad~rs, in fact, are staring at the frrst four-loss regular season in their history. Moeller went 7-3 in 1966, 1986 and 1987.

Princeton, on the other hand, is one victory away from completing only the third perfect regular season in the history of Viking football. Princeton went 9-o in 1978 and 1o-o in 1985. The

Vikings clinched another Greater Miami Conference championship (they've won all but two since joining the GMC in 1967) and a spot in the playoffs with their 25-14 win over Sycamore Friday night.

But that doesn't mean the Vikings will be looking to coast into the playoffs. They have No. 1 rankings in the state Associated Press top 10 poll and the local top .

10 poll to protect, as well as that top spot in the regional computer ratings.

• There's a personal level to this rivalry, also. This will be the 25th regular-season meeting between the two teams in a high-powered rivalry that got under way in 1965. Moeller has won 19 of those games. They've also met four times in· the playoffs, with the Crusaders winning three. The two teams did not play in the regular season in 1984 and 1985.

More recently, Princeton hasn't beaten Moeller in the regular since 1987. Last season, the Crusaders shut out the Vikings, 28-o. · .

Yes, these two teams have a history, which probably won't lend itself to either team surprising the other Friday night.

"They've played us so much and we've played them so much, . we know what each other's going to do," Klonne said. "It's just a matter of seeing who executes."

That means Moeller's defense will be charged with stopping .

Princeton's option offense, which features the running of James Olverson (163.8 yards per game, 21 touchdowns) and the passing of Lamont Houston (48-82, 1,046 yards, 116.2 yards per game). The Vikings are Please see

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playoffs a week early 10 -:Ja-"1' ,

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Princeton and Moeller hit.Ve played each other 28 times, 24 in the regular season and four in the state playoffs. The only two years they haven't played during the regular season since 1965 were 1984 and 1985. The Crusaders have .won 22 of those games, 19 in the regular season. The results:

Regular season

JOHN SWARTZEUPRESS CONTRiBUTOR

If Steve Klonne's Moeller Crusaders are to live up to the T-shirt, they must defeat Princeton Friday night.

A loss to the Vikings effectively dooms Moeller's playoff chances ..

1965 Moeller 14, Princeton 0 1966 Princeton 14, Moeller 6 1967 Moeller 14, Princeton 0 1968 Moeller 12, Princeton 0 1969 Moeller 14, Princeton 6 1970 Moeller 14, Princeton 6 1971 Moeller 14, Princeton 11 1972 Princeton 29, Moeller 20 1973 Moeller 13, Princeton 12 1974 Moeller 23, Princeton 6 .

1975 Moeller 12, Princeton 10 1976 Moeller 21, Princeton 9 1977 Moeller 35, Princeton 7 1978 Princeton 13, Moeller 12 1979 Moeller 34, Princeton 7 i 980 Moeller 14, Princeton 13 1981 Moeller 21, Princeton 17 1982 Moeller 56, Princeton 7 1983 Moeller 28, Princeton 21 1986 Princeton 45, Moeller 21 1987 Princeton 10, Moeller 7 1988 Moeller 21, Princeton 14 1989 Moeller 38, Princeton 21 1990 Moeller 28, Princeton 0

State playoffs 1980 Moeller 28, Princeton 3 1982 Moeller 33, Princeton 20 1983 Princeton 28, Moeller 21 1985 Moeller 24, Princeton 12

Moeller-Princeton.". attention ·.getter

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BY DAVE SCHUTTE Enquirer Contributor

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All eyes will be focused on Galbreath Field again Friday when Moeller faces another do-or-die situation against No. 1 ranked and undefeated Princeton.• A victory over Princeton will qualify the Crusaders for the Division I playoffs while a loss ends Moeller's season.

This game, highlighting the high school week ahead, will also have a bearing on the city championship.

The 15 coaches voting in The Enquirer's poll, will ·weigh this game heavily before casting votes.

If Moeller loses, Centerville, Oxford Talawanda, Western Hills and Harrison will contest for the remaining· two playoff spots.

Princeton and Elder have already qualified.

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Three games pia d F . were c~lled off befor!~he e~tayf regulahon pia y. No. 5 Moeller was I d. ea m~ ~rotwood-Madison 28-0 d~~~~m1sburg was ahead ~f Van~ utler, 2o.:o, when both games were called due to thunderstorms. Both are considered com~lete ga~es. An electrical fire in . y~amo~e s new lights caused the AVIators game against Mil£ d be postponed, with the scor~r 0-~o ~ycamo~e ~ad the ball at Milford'~ -yard l~ne tn the first quarter. The game Will resume at 2 P·m. t oday.·

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Vikings brace for Crusaders

BY DAVE SCHUTTE

I <J<t{

Enquirer Contributor

James Olverson is the latest in a long line of sleek Princeton tailbacks.

Olverson, a 6-foot; 180-pounder, will be. the focal point of Princeton's high octane veer offense against vaunted rival Moeller at 8 o'clock tonight at Galbreath Field.

The Vikings, 9-0 and ranked No. 1 in the state and city, can eliminate the Crusaders, 6-3, from the piayoffs and send them to the worst record in school history. ¡ Olverson, the younger brother of former Princeton track star

Berths

on the line

Moeller isn't the only area team that needs a victory tonight to qualify for the playoffs: â&#x20AC;˘ Division 1: Talawanda, Harrison and Western Hills all must win to remain in contention for a spot.

Divi.sion II: Norwood is the only team with a chance. The Indians must down Roger Bacon and hope for at least two of its opponents to win if Dayton Dunbar downs Meadowdale.

Divisi~n Ill: A victory over Kings would lock up a berth for Springboro, while Purcell Marian must down St. Xavier and get some help from its opponents.

Division V: Mariemont must beat Wyoming.

Tyrone Olverson, has rushed for 1,475 yards on 186 carries, scoring 21 touchdowns.

"I set a goal of rushing for at least 1,000 yards this season,"

Olverson said. "Moeller is tough to run on and if we don't block well, it could be even tougher."

Olverson is considered to be one of the top running backs in

Pri11ceton CONTINUED FROM PAGE D-1

Princeton-Moeller tradition alone is enough."

Olverson doesn't have to carry all of the offensive burden for the Vikings. Quarterback Lamont Houston is adept at running the high-risk, high-yield veer and 1\aS developed his passing skills.

With Houston at the controls, the Vikings are averaging a citybest 425 total yards a game.

"James has had au outstanding season," said Princeton coach Pat Mancuso. "We're also real pleased with Lamont's passing."

Houston has completed 48 of 84 passes (57%). , As for defensing Moeller, Mancuso points to Crusader Ejuarterback Shawn Brennan as the key"" player to stop.

"Brennan is one of the best throwing quarterbacks in the city and he cp.n also run the ball," Mancuso said. "Moeller has some outstanding receivers and it's a .full-time job defending them."

The Vikings plan to change defenses often in an attempt to confuse and, they hope, stop Brennan.

"We can't ever sit and let Brennan do any one thing," Mancuso

the state.

"I rushed for 1,459 yards in 14 games last season," Olverson said. "One of the reasons I've improved this year is the blocking by the offensive line."

The offensive line is anchored by center Zack Sweeney, a junior.

Olverson still remembers the devastating 28-0 loss to Moeller last season and also the setback to Warren Harding in the Division I state championship game.

"I don't ever want to experience that feeling again," Olverson said. "It won't take much to get us up for the game. The

(Please see PRINCETON, Pa~e D-7)

said. "We'll change the pace in an attempt to throw him off."

Last season, Princeton fielded a young and inexperience9 defense, but with nine returning starters, this unit has been one of the Vikings' strengths.

Cory Glass, Bruce Montgomery, Aguanda Brookins, Darnell Howard, Lamont Sanders, Dante Hardy, Aaron Bozan, Josh Johnson, Sam Young, Shondell Wolfork and Jason Whitehead lead the charge for the Viking defenders.

A victory also would eliminate the possibility of a grueling rematch in the playoffs.

"Yes, we're aware of it and we've mentioned it to the kids," Mancuso said.

And after looking at the history of the series, which dates back to 1965, it's understandable why Mancuso would like to avoid another confrontation with the Crusaders.

In the 28 games played dating to 1965, Moeller has emerged on top 22 times, winning the past three seasons.

An even more convincing statistic is in the scoring column, where Moeller has run up 596 points ' while allowing the potent Viking I offense only 341.

Elder beats Will Plagge is a little guy, but he turned up big for Elder on Friday night.

The 5•10, 160-pound junior placekicker booted two field goals in the second half to lead the Panthers over Moeller, 20-14, before a capacity crowd at Galbreath Field.

Plagge hit a 36-yarder with 1:16left in the third quarter and made a 22-yarder with 8:02 left in the game. Elder, ranked No.2 in the city and state, pushed its record to 9-0.

Moeller, ranked No. 3 in the city and No. 7 in the state, dropped to 6-3.

It was Elder's second win over Moeller this season and practically wraps up a playoff birth for the Panthers. Moeller must defeat arch-rival Princeton in its season finale to reach the playoffs.

Elder also defeated Moeller twice - in the regular season and playoffs - in 1988. .

History will be on Moeller's side against Princeton. The Crusaders have not lost four

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ag~in.,

20-14

· games m one season smce the· school started playing varsity football in 1963.

They went 7-3 in 1966, 1986 and 1987.

In other prep action Friday: ·

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The Cincinnati Enquirerffony Tribble

Moeller defens1ve back John Harpring (9) and an unidentified Elder player scral')1ble for' poss~sion in Friday's game.

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BOB DICKEASONIThe Cincinnati Post

Moeller quarterback Shawn Brennan breaks tackles to score on a 2-yard run on a fourth-and-goal situation in the second quarter against Elder to force a 7-7 tie. The Panthers won, 23-7.

Elder was able to take control of the game behind a balanced offense in the second half. !I:n four possessions, the Panthers scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal - taking time off the clock in the process. As a result, Moeller's offense spent much of the final two quarters on the sideline.

"One of. the biggest things is this year we don't need the pass," said. Elder quarterback Tim Austing. "The key is our balance. You can't score if you don't have the ball."

Moeller, on its first thr~e pos· sessions of the second half, ma.n· aged just 11 yards in eight plays .

Elder, behind the running of senior Ennis Jim (21 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns) and Austing (12 of 20 for 217 yards and one touchdown), was able to control the ball.

"The key in the second half was our offense controlled the clock," said Elder coach Tom Grippa, whose team is vying for its third GCL championship_ in four years. "They were doing some things (defensively)· in the first half that gave us some prob· lems, but we made some adjust· ments. We don't have a track team in ·our backfield, but the kids know how to move the ball forward."

Moeller's only offense in the first half came as the result of a blocked punt deep in Elder terri· tory.. Senior Jon Morgan broke free to get a hand on Dave Becker's punt, and senior Dan Thiel recovered it at the Elder 2-ya:rd line.

The Crusaders, after being stopped at the line of scrimmage on first down, were called for unsportsmanlike conduct penalty - moving the ball back to the 18. Brennan, who failed to complete a pass in the first half, came up. with the big play running 16 yards on third down to set up a fourth-and-goal at the 2. On fourth down, Brennan ran two yards for the touchdown.

The ensuing extra point tied the score, 7-7.

Both teams played much of the game without two of their top players. Moeller senior offensive guard Eric Wendt and Elder senior defensive tackle Nate Fecke were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and ejected after getti.ng into a skir· mish in the first half.

0 7 0 0-7 MOELLER ELDER 1 0 3 13-23 E-McFarland 20 pass lrom Austng (Plagge ~icl<) M-Breman 2: run (B. !-\JS1on kick) E-Piagoe 21 FG E-Jim 3:3 pass lrom /lusting (kick failed) E-Jim 3 run (Plagge kick) RECORDS: Moeller 4-2. 1-1 GCL; Eldet6-0. 2-0.

Elder tackles Moeller with strong defense

BY KEN · c ROBINSON t ·b t tD /·.,.1/ '!I nqmrer on n u or By now, the film of last Friday's Elder-La Salle game has entered circulation.

If y~u're affiliated with the Panther program and enJoy some serious defense, the performance gets two thumbs up. If you're a future Elder opponent, you're probably worried.

Moeller coach Steve Klonne, whose No. 3 Crusaders encounter No. 2 Elder tonight at 8 p.m. at Elder Stadium (a.k.a. The Pit), viewed the grim footage and offered this review.

"I think their defense is as good as we'll face all season. Massillon was strong, but Elder has better balance," Klonne said. .

La Salle coach Jim Louder added this critique on the Lancers' 38-3 loss.

"Elder's defense is the best I've seen in the city," Louder said. "They're intense, united and have a lot of fun playing. We took an old-fashioned puss-pounding. " Elder's unit is characterized by major college-type size, speed, athleticism, a willingness E

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• TENNIS: G1rls sect1onal results/8-2.

• FOOT~A~L: Dave Sc~utte's picks/ 8 -5· • GOLF. Fairfield surpnses/ 8 -5. . to ~al?ble and a. hi_gh_ ra~e of success. The statistics are also mtlmidatmg. . Th~ 5-0 Panthers, with shut.outs over La~ota and Withro:v, have spared thetr opponents JUSt 21 total pomts. Yardage allowed averages out to 137 a game.

"Some of the kids we knew would be starters, but they made the jump in .ability on the field," Elder coach Tom Grippa explained.

Elder's three enormous junior linemen Nate Fecke, Tom Rosenberger and Craig James ~have simply owned the line scrimmage. The tno averages dimensions of 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds.

"They'll all be Division I players," Grippa said. "They've been just destroying blocks."

The pant her 1·me bac kers, who specia · 1·Ize m · big plays, are seniors Matt Rauen and Keith Witsken, junior David Ginn and sophomore Kit Hoffman.

Dave Becker, Josh yoss, Tom Ludwig an?

Matt Deters - all semors - form an expenenced and proficient secondary. .

"The key to their defense is how they're extremely good getting off the ball," Louder said., "When th~y come at you, it's a sellout.

That s the way It should be done."

The 4-1 Crusaders, also 1-0 in Greater Catholic League play, try to solve the Panther defense in a game that's special in rivalry and crucial in league and playoff outcomes. Elder will play at Moeller Oct. 25 in a non-league game, too.

"It should be a big step forward to winning the league and, down the road, who gets in the playoffs," Klonne said. "This is probably the wrong year to play them twice."

A few hundred tickets are available today at Moeller only, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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The Cincinnati Enquirer/Joanne Rim

Elder defensive linemen Nate Fecke, Tom Rosenberger and Craig James are formidable, averaging 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds. _

Outlook for the weekend's top high school football games and Dave Schutte's selections (Saturday game noted):

ELDER (8-0) vs. MOELLER (6-2) at Galbreath Field, 8 p.m.: . Forget about the first encounter that Elder won, 23-7. During the past three weeks, the Crusader coaching staff has had time to digest the films and devise an offense to counter an Elder defense that took away the Moeller passing attack and stopped the run. And Elder will be playing without Craig James, a 6-2, 245 pound junior nose tackle, who is out for the season with a broken leg suffered against St. Xavier. Moeller needs to beat either Elder or Princeton to earn a spot in the Division I playoffs and the Crusaders would prefer ending the suspense this week. Pick Elder.

~Elder BY ~AVE S~HUTTE

Enqmrer Contnbutor ----' \o.,

Moeller next for hot Elder

BY DAVE SCHUTTE Enquirer Contributor

9/.Jo/fl

The west side of Cincinnati will be rocking Friday night.

A crowd of 8,000 is expected at Elder Stadium as the No. 2-i'anked Panthers host Moeller (No. 3) in an important football game.

Not only will the Greater Catholic League South Division championship be on the line but also the potential city title and a possible Division I playoff berth. · Elder, 5-0, is coming off a 38-3 victory over LaSalle. Moeller, 4-1, beat St. Xavier, 28-21. Each is 1-0 in the GCL.

Outlook for the weekend's top high school football games, with Dave Schutte's selections: Moeller (4-1) at Elder (5-0), 8 p.m.: The air will be filled · with footballs as Elder's Tim Austing (879 yards passing) and Moeller's Shawn Brennan duel in what should be a thriller. Since both teams have outstanding quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, this game will probably be decided by the defense, where the Panthers appear to have the advantage. Pick: Elder.

defense quiets Crusaders, 23-7

I Dj.f/11

Craig James and the Elder defense had a special message for Moeller.

"We wanted to let them know that we wouldn't back down," said James, a 6foot-2, 245-pound nose guard. "Moeller's offensive line is their strength, and we took it to them early and didn't let up the entire game."

And it was the Elder defense that proved to be the difference, leading the No. 2-ranked Panthers to a 23-7 victory over the No. 3-ranked Crusaders before a capacity crowd at Elder Stadium Friday night.

Moeller quarterback Shawn Brennan didn't complete a pass until the final series

in the fourth quarter, and he only completed four for 52 yards in the game.

The Panthers came up with five sacks and often forced Brennan out of the pock-

et.

, "Our game plan was to keep pressure on Brennan," Elder coach Tom Grippa said.

Moeller's rushing game wasn't much better than Brennan's passing against the Panthers' strong defense.

The Crusader backs, Kelly Davis and Brennan, managed only 65 yards on the ground, generating just 123 yards total offense and six first downs for the game.

"They (the defense) did an outstanding job against a good offensive team, but the key was the way the offense controlled the clock during the second half," Grippa said.

Tied 7-7 at halftime, Elder took the second-half kickoff and marched 67 yards to the Moeller 2-yard line. On fourth down, Will Plagge booted a 22-yard field goal to put the Panthers ahead, 10-7.

"We wanted to play ahead, and that's why I kicked the field goal," Grippa said.

"When you have a defense like ours, you can go for the field goal."

Elder's defense completely controlled the third period, allowing the Crusaders only 11 yards rushing and no first downs.

With the game still on the line entering the fourth period, the Elder offense took over. Quarterback Tim Austing engineered a 7 4-yard, seven-play drive, throwing 33 yards to Ennis Jim for a touchdown with 10:27 remaining.

After an interception by Matt Deters,

Austing put together an 11-play drive with Jim scoring on a 2-yard run.

Austing completed 12 of 20 passes for 217 yards and two TDs, while Jim rushed for 101 yards on 21 carries.

Elder can win wrap up the GCL title next Friday with a victory over the Bombers, who lost Friday night to La Salle.

MOELLER ELDER---

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0 7 0 0- 7 .•._7 0 3 13-23

E-McFarlane 20 pass from Austing (Plagge kick) M-Brennan 2 run (Huston kick) E -Plagge 22 FG E-Jim 33 pass from Ausling (kick fafled) E-Jim 2 run (Plagge kick).

• Other prep results, Page D-5.

MOELLER 'COACHKUONNE.MAKES ' .. '

~{·

RIGHT MOVES Ditching 2-QB system pays off with 3-0 streak

By Tom Gamble Post staff reporter

. 10

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With two talented quarterbacks on the roster, Moeller High School football coach Steve Klonne knew it wouldn't be easy choosing a starter. It was so tough, in fact,. that Klonne couldn't come to a decision by the season's opening kickoff. .

In the Crusaders' first two games, transfer students Shawn Brennan (St. Xavier) and John Harpring (Atlanta Marist) alternated offensive series. Klonne figured one of the two would play himself into the starting position, but the result instead was a 1-1 record and not much offensive continuity.

It was time for a change.

"After the Erie (Pa.) Prep game (a 21-19 loss the sec6-foot-2, 180-pound senior has is scheduled for 8 p.m. ond week), I felt we were a completed 40 of 68 passes - a little unsettled at the posiElder allows an average of 137 .588 completion percentage tion because of using two yards per game, has given up for 629 yards and six TDs. For just 21 points in five games and guys," Klonne said. "I didn't the season, Brennan is 49 of 86 think one had gotten much for 753 yards and nine TDs. He recorded two shutouts. Elder better because of splitting threw for almost 1,000 yards last held La Salle to 36 yards total time. We needed to settle in season at St. Xavier despite be- offense last week. on one guy."

Shawn ing hampered by a knee injury.

Five days before Moeller Brennan "Shawn's going to have to was sc~eduled to face Trotwood-Madison, have a good game, throw the ball Brennan will receive Tonight, Klonne mformed Brennan that he would be well enough to open up some the starter. The decision, Klonne said, was his biggest test of the season as other things," said Klonne.

Moeller (4-1, 1-0 in the GCL's based on Brennan's experience, poise and South Division), ranked No.3 in "We're really concerned with athletic ability.

The Post's coaches poll, travels whether we'll be able to muster "It was an educated guess," Klonne said. · to No, 2 Elder (5-0, 1-0). Kickoff anything offensively at all. How Klonne's· guess has paid off. With Brenwell we are able to throw the ball nan calling the signals, Moeller has reeled will be critical." off three consecutive victories - including a 27-13 win against state-power Massillon NOTES - For the second Washington and a 28-21 victory last Friday against St. Xavier in the Greater Catholic straight week, Moeller is expecLeague opener. ted to be without tight end Max Harpring has made the most of the situaLangenkamp. The 6-foot-5, 250tion, too. He moved to cornerback, and repound senior, considered one of covered a fumble and intercepted a pass the Crusaders' top blockers is against Massillon. · recovering from a strained k~ee Against St. Xavier, Brennan competed 12 ligament suffered three weeks of 22 passes for 263 yards and two touchago against Massillon. Senior Jadowns. With the score tied, 14-14, in the son Sieg, a 6-foot, 255-pound offourth quarter, Brennan accounted for his fensive guard, also might be team's final two touchdowns - the first on a sidelined bv a knee injury . one-yard run and the second on a 40-yard pass to running back Kelly Davis.

"He looked real good," said St. Xavier coach Steve Rasso, who started Brennan as a sophomore·. "He made the right call (on the touchdown pass) and got the ball to the guy. When he had to make the play, he did."

In the last three games, the

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Prep playOff picture coming into focus

BY DAVE SCHUTTE Enquirer Contributor

The guillotine is ready to drop on the Moeller football team, but the Crusaders can avoid it with a victory over Elder or Princeton during the final two weeks of the season. ; Currently in third place in the Harbin Computer rankings with 134.1428 points, the Crusaders won't qualify for the Division I playoffs without at least one more victory.. · "Moeller must win one of the last two games to make it, s<iid Steve Shuck, a Harbin Ratings ex. pert. "Losing two games would put them behind too many people." · Princeton and Elder, ·although not mathematically in, need one more victory to wrap up a playoff spot. Princeton plays Sycamore .and Moeller. Elder finishes with Moeller and Oak Hills.

If Moeller falters, Harrison,.

Western Hills, Centerville and Oxford Talawanda will contend for the remaining. two spots. : !'Centerville will accumulate 187 points by· going 9-1," Shuck said. "They play Beavercreek (5-3) and Springfield North (4-4) which are opponents they will earn some points from." ' Until this week when it was learned that Hughes forfeited its game to Taft, it appeared that Harrison could make it' into the playoffs with victories over Winton ;Woods and Anderson. ; Harrison's point total dropped 3Vz points this week after Hughes

How Harbin points are won The Harbin Computer system- developed by longtime racing writer jack Harbin of Akron - is based on how successful each team is against its opponents and how' successful these opponents are during the season. · There are two ways. that teams earn points in the Harbin Computer rating: At level I, a victory over a Divisiqn I school is worth 4 points; Division II, 3V2 points; Division III, 3, points; Division IV, 2lfz points, and Division V, 2 points. . At ,level II, points are earned for.each game a defeated opponent WillS.

A good example of this is the Moeller (6-2) vs. Elder (8-0) match-up. A Moeller victory would giV'ellie· CriisaderSToW: first level points and 32 second level points (for eight Elder: victories).

An Elder victory would give the Panthers four first level points and 24 second level points.

reported using an ineligible player · Shuck said. in the game against Taft.

"This forfeit will hurt Harrison," Shuck said. "It's funny how a game like this could have such an impact. 1 had Harrison at 187.66 with two more victories but now ·they'll have 3Vz less points."

Western Hills, if it beats Aiken and La Salle, would propel itself in the running for a playoff bid. The Mustangs could finish with 181.38.

As for Talawanda, a team that went 10-0. but didn't make the playoffs last season, Shuck sees the Braves finishing with 181 points with victories over ·Miamisburg and Middletown Fenwick. ."These four school realistically have a good chance to qualify,"

Moeller 28, St. Xavier 21

Brennan returns to lead Crusaders to win

· run to open the third quarter.Houston again was I~ ~t'f/ perfect and Moeller led 14-3.

The Moeller Crusaders got The Bombers did not give up over a big hurdle on their way though as Scott Sollman toward a possible Greater rambled 75 yards on the next Cincinnati League title on Friday play for a score. He also cuaght night as they traveled to St. a two-point conversion pass to · Xavier and handed the Bombers make the score 14-11. a 28-21 setback.

The Bombes later tied the· · The game was a homecoming score on a 20-yard field goal by of sorts for Moeller quarterback Boehne.

Shawn Brennan as he was the score did was fire All the starting quarterback for the up the Moeller offense as they Bombers last season. came out in the fourth quarter Brennan's excit~ment about and dominated the action.

First Brennan capped a the game showed in the first half as he was only five of 12 passing scoring drive with a one-yard for 127 yards with a fumble. touchdown plunge.

Coach Steve Klonne said, "It Even though the extra point was very obvious that Shawn failed, the Moeller defense went was nervous in the first half. out and shut the St. Xavier Once he settled down though, he attack down and forced a punt. played a good game."

The Crusaders went right Moeller did manage to get on back to work and put the game the scoreboard first in the out of reach when Brennan hit second quarter when Brennan davis in the flat with a screen hooked up with Jason Brown for pass and he raced 40 yards into a 66-yard scoring strike. Brian the end zone. Brennan found Houston added the extra point Scott Carlberg with the and Moeller led 7-0. conversion and Moeller led 28The Bombers' Bill Boehne's 14.

27-yard field goal closed the gap St. Xavier added one more at halftime to 7-3. score befor ethe game ended, but The Crusaders were aided it was not enough as the greatly in the first half by two Crusaders prevailed 28-21. interceptions from safety Jason Klonne said, "It wasn't a Florimonte. pretty win, but we'll take it. Now Moeller running back Kelly we have to concentrate on Elder. · Davis, who had been held to just They qre a very fine team and 2 2 yards in the first half, broke their quarterback Tim Austing is loose for a 24-yard touchdown as good as we'll see all year.''

By TERRY JENKINS. Sports Editor_ "Sfc..j/11t?S:j..:S•i

tie

KETT~RING ALTER (5-2) VS. MOELLER (5-2) at Galbreath F1eld, 8 p.m.: Moeller faces an Alter squad that is fighting for a Division III playoff berth. Crusader quarterback Shawn Brennan recovered from a disastrous performance against Elder two weeks ago to lead Moeller past La Salle last week. Brennan will haye to b~ on target against an Alter team that has scored 176 · pomts agamst a tough schedule. Pick Moeller.

Brennan finished the night with 263 yards passing on 12 of 22.

Davis also ran for 131 yards on 28 carries as well as hauling in two passes for 87 yards.

Once again Brown had an outstanding night as he caught seven passes for 161 yards..

Defensively Klonne noted that Mark Abel, David Borman, Joe cameron, Jon Morgan and Denny Marinich had good games.

The Moeller-Elder game will take place at 8 p.m. at Elder. No passes will be accepted for this game.

Scoreboard · Moeller 0 7 7 14- 28 St. Xavier 0 3 11 7- 21 M- Brown 66-yd. pass from Brennan (Houston kick) X- Boehne 27-yd. field goal M- Davis 24-yd. run (Houston kick) X- Sollman 75-yd. run.

(Sollman pass from Dooros) X- Boehne 20-yd. field goal M- Brennan 1-yd. run (kick failed) M- Davis 40-yd. pass from Brennan (Carlberg pass from Brennan) X- Hendon 1-yd. pass from Dooros (Boehne kick) Records: M 4-1 (1-0 GCL), X 3-2 (0-1 GCL).

GCL{~.. ib ... l?..-?f rJ Moeller 27, Kettering Alter 7, at 'Galbreath Field ___: Moeller scored on its first two possessions as the No.4 Crusaders easily handled Kettering Alter. Moeller quarterback Shawn Brennan com-

pleted 15 of 22 passes for 252 yards, threw two touchdown passes and rushed for a third. : The Knights racked up only 134 total yards, while Moeller had 376 total yards, 252 of those passing~ KETTERING ALTER .........................- ................ 0 0 0 7-7 MOELLER ........................................................... 14 0 6 7-27 M-Davis 5 run (Bryant kick) M-Baur 38 pass from Brennan (Bryant kick) , M-Hronek 28 pass from Brennan (run failed) 1 KA-Boeckman 11 pass from Rudzinski (Brinkman kick) · M-Brennan 1 run (Bryant kick) Records: M 6·2 (3·1), KA 5·3 (3·1).

/ (J - j - "i/ MARK BOWEN/for The Cincinnati F St. Xavier running back Steve Cox blasts through Moeller's line for a 17-yard gain. Moeller defenders are Denny Marinich (59) and Solomon Chinn (43).

South Division Ij - J- .cr 1 · _First team offense fVtt NAME Eric Wendt Scott Meyer Jon Peters John Donovan .

Dave Naultner Chip Hendon Jason Brown Jason Poland Ty Douthard Ennis Jim Tim Austing

SCHOOL . Moeller Moeller Elder LaSalle · St. Xavier St. Xavier Moeller Elder LaSalle Elder Elder

First team defense NAME

SCHOOL

Brian Rabe Tom Rosenberger Andy Katona Mate Fecke Joe Cameron Matt Raver Brian Mooney· Bart Conley Scott Ostholthoff Jason Florimonte Dave Becker Matt Deters Josh Voss · . ·

St. Xavier Eider Moeller Elder · Moeller Elder St. Xavier LaSalle Moeller Moeller · 'Elder Elder Elder

Second team oftense NAME

SCHOOL

Mark Fischer Joe Czanik Mike Raterman Tom Maeelko BradY Wolfer Max Langenkamp Scott Scherpenberg Jason Steins . .

Scott Sollmann Kelly Davis , ' Shawn Brennan

LaSalle· Bder.

Elder · St. Xavier Moeller Moeller LaSalle Elder St. Xavier Moeller Moeller

Second team defense NAME

SCHOOL

Jim Gibson LaSalle Craig James Elder Kevin Glaser St. Xavier Kurt Supe .

LaSalle Dave Ginn ,Elder John Morgan Moeller Keith Wltsken Elder Brady Gick ~ · • LaSalle Milan Barner St. Xavier • Phiyer of the year: Dave Becker, Elder.

• Coach of th~ year: 'J;or'n Grippa, Elder.

Moeller's Brennan haunts ex-mates St. Xavier loses GCL test, 28-21

By Bob Queenan

·~staff reporter

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For a time Friday night, it appeared as though Moeller quarterback Shawn Brennan's return to St. Xavier would be a very unhappy occasion.

However, Brennan, who quarterbacked St. Xavier last season before transferring to Moeller, completed 12 of 22 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns as the Crusaders knocked off a stubborn Bomber team, 28-21 at the ~t. Xavier field.

Brennan was only 5 of 12 in the first half for 127 yards. The Crusaders also fumbled the ball five times and lost three of them, one by Brennan and two by Kelly Davis, who would be the game's hero.

Two interceptions by senior · defensive back Jason Florimonte kept the Bombers off the score-

board until late in the first half.

"St. Xavier took a big chance and it almost paid off," said Moeller coach Steve Klonne.

"We felt all week that if they thought they could surprise us, they would do exactly what they did--play man to man coverage and blitz on every down."

The strategy worked until Brennan found Jason Brown on a simple out route, hit him with the pass and Brown rambled 66 yards for the game's first score. ''In the beginning, they forced the turnovers, and the strategy worked," said Klonne. "But in the second half, we started to move the ball."

Davis also held on to it.

"Shawn wasn't getting the ball in tight on the handoff," said Davis, "and I couldn't get hold of it right.

"But in the second half, our coaches told me to make up for the mistakes I made in the first half, and I had to," said the junior tailback.

Davis, who had only 22 yards

on nine rushes in the first half, tacked on 107 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown in the second half. And he caught a screen pass from Brennan for 40 yards and another TD. He finished with 27 carries for 129 yards.

"Our players did a good job of executing," said St. Xavier coach Steve Rasso, "but those big plays ... 66 yard to Brown, a 24yard run off the draw by Davis, and that screen pass, the second one he had hit for big yardage hurt us."

"Davis' fumbles were not his fault," said Klonne. "He really ran hard in the second half and helped us control the ball when we had to."

When Davis 24-yard run put the Crusaders ahead 14-3, the Bombers had a chnace to fold.

"But our kids didn't," said Rasso, "especially Scott Solimann."

Sollmann, who had only 17 yards on seven first-half rushes, exploded for a 75-yard TD run on the first St. X. play from scrim-

mage after Davis' TD run. He caught the two-point conversion pass from sophomore quarterback Damion Dooros, and the Bombers later tied it on Bill Boehne's second field goal.

MOELLER • ST. XAVIER

0

7

0

3 11

7 14-28 7-21

M-Brown 66 pass lrom Brennan (Houston kick) X-Boehne 27 FG M-Davis 24 run (Houston kick) X-Sollmann 75 run (Sollman pass from Dooros) X-Boehne 20 FG M-Brennan 1 run (kick failed) M-Davis 40 pass from Brennan (Carlberg pass from Brennan) X-Hendon 1 pass from Dooros (Boehne kick) RECORDS: Moeller, 4-1. 1-0 GCL South; 51. Xavier J.2, D-1 South.

Moeller ·tops· Massillon I

BY KEN ROBINSON Enquirer Contributor

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Shawn Brennan threw three touchdowns passes, leading the Moeller Crusaders to a 27-13 come-from behind victory over the Massillon Tigers at Galbreath Field.

Trailing 13-12 at halftime, Brennan engineered two second. half scoring drives.

A diving interception by Moeller's John Harpring with 1:17 re' maining in the third period set up the Crasaders' go-ahead TD. It took Brennan just two plays to put the Crusaders in the lead, firing a 43-yard pass to Raussen. A two-point conversion pass from Brennan to Jason Brown gave Moeller a 20-13 lead.

Moeller scored the clinching TD

A fumble on an attempted Tiger punt with 1:10 remaining before halftime, set up the second Crusadlate in the fourth period when er TD. Brennan connected with Scott Brennan drove Moeller 35 Carlberg on a 10-yard pass, eli- yards in six plays, throwing a 10maxing a 65-yard drive. . yard pass to Jeff Raussen, who was Massillon scored on its first pos-. alone in the corner of the end zone. session three minutes into the However, the conversion kick · · d Th T' d . by Erik Bryant was wide again and opemng peno · e Jgers rove · the Crusaders trailed 13-12 at half71 yards with speedster Travis time .

McGuire taking it in from 43 yards MASSILLoN 1 6 0 o-1 3 OUt. MOELLER 6 6 8 7-27 Mas- Travis McGuire 43 run (Brown kick) The Crusaders took the ensuing Moe- Brennan 6 run (kick failed).

Mas- McGuire 11 run (kick failed) ki Ck0 ff an d pUt toge th er a 16-pIay, Moe - Jeff Raussen 10 pass from Brennen (kick 71 yard drive that WaS climaxed On wide~oe- Raussen 43 pass from Brennan (Brown pass Brennan's six-yard end run. from Brennan) Moe- Carlberg 10 pass from Brennan (Bryanl kick).

EarIy in the second period, MasAllendance: 10,000 eslimaled. sillon put together a 10 play, 72yard drive, scoring on an 11-yard run by McGuire but tli.e conversion kick was wide.

Football

.Sports Moeller shows Massillon what tradition really means A9

Moeller's "Yell-leaders" Dan Maehlman, left, and Chris Green showed some enthusalsm on the sidelines during Moeller's win over Massillon last week. See gjlme story, page 10./

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oeller, a school that has won seven Ohio prep football championships and qualified for the state playoffs 15 of the last 19 years, historically is unaccustomed to must-win situations in the fourth week of the season.

But for the second straight year, the Crusaders find themselves in that position against the same opponent - Massillon Washington.

Moeller, 2-1 and ranked No.6 in The Associated Press Division I state poll, meets Massillon Washington, 3-0 and ranked No.4, at 8 p.m.

Saturday at Galbreath Field in Kings Mills.

A loss won't end Moeller's chances to make the playoffs a fourth consecutive year, but it could make the road difficult.

"I don't want to say it's our whole season in one week, but it is pivotal in getting over the hump," said Moeller coach Steve Klonne. "If we don't win, the bottom line is we have to split with El9£r and beat Princeton to get in (the playoffs). Losing to Erie (Pa.) has put us in a dire situatiop.."

The Crusaders were beaten 21-19 at Erie Prep two weeks ago. They opened the season by beating Detroit DePorres and they defeated Trotwood-Madison last weekend.

After this week, Moeller enters its Greater Catholic League schedule. All of the schools in the league~s South Division, of which Moeller is a member, are ranked in The Post's city coaches poll. There's No. 2 Elder (3-0), No. 9 La Salle (2-1) and No. 10 St. Xavier (2-1).

Moeller also must play Kettering Alter (3-0), a team from the North Division, as part of the

CRUSADE . 1- J.-6J.1tli•1;1

VICTORY The ultimate payoff for Moeller vs. Massillon may be berth in playoffs

By Tom Gamble I Post staff reporter league's revamped scheduling format.

That's not all. The Crusaders have their annual season-ending game with Princeton, 3-0 and No. 1 in Greater Cincinnati and No. 2 in Ohio.

And, in an attempt to fill an open date for both schools, Moeller scheduled a second game with Elder.

Moeller, however, is no stranger to winning big games. Last season, the Crusaders also entered · Week 4 in need of a victory, facing unbeaten Massillon with a 2-1 record. A 39-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Neil Dougherty to tailback

Carlos Collins with 14 seconds remaining gave Moeller a 24-23 victory.

"That gave us the confidence to go on," Klonne said. he Crusaders won their next six games, finishing 9-1 in the regular season and atop the Division I Region 4 Harbin computer ratings - the system used to qualify teams for the playoffs. They lost to Middletown, 21-17, in the first round of the playoffs.

The loss to Moeller a year ago had the opposite effect on Massillon, Tigers coach Lee Owens said.

"I'm hoping this year's team has the character it takes to win this game, or bounce back if they don't," said Owens, who led Massillon to an 8-4 record and playoff berth in 1990. "We were never the same team after losing to Moeller last season."

NOTES - Massillon sold its allotment of 4,400 tickets for the game in less than five hours Monday. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m.... Massillon players are wearing the initials "PB" on their uniforms this season in memory of the school's former coach and former Bengals general manager Paul Brown, who died Aug. 5 ... Moeller athletic director Jim Lippincott said the Crusaders and Massillon have agreed to extend their series for at least one more year, scheduling another game for Sept. 26, 1992, at Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

T

48 I Prep summaries and schedules.

58 I Badin golfer Jim Zettler shoots 29 at Potter Park.

Brennan leads Moeller

BY KEN ROBINSON Enquirer Contributor

KINGS MILLS, Ohio - Moeller's scouting reports on Massillon were near perfect, and the Crusaders strategy was well conceived.

And, Shawn Brennan's performance could not have been better.

Moeller received a command performance from the senior quarterback, while paralyzing Massillon's vaunted offense in the second half on the way to a 27-13 victory Saturday night at Galbreath Field.

Brennan, playing ·his first full game as the undisputed starting quarterback for Moeller, threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns.

The St. Xavjer transfer also ran for

Football a Moeller score. 1·- .1.2...,. 9/ "He was unbelievable," said Moeller head coach Steve Klonne.

"He made big plays on athletic moves and that was the difference in the game."

Moeller raised its record to 3-1, while Massillon fell to 3-1.

Klonne and the Crusaders approached this game with . grave concern for the Tigers potent offense. After Massillon's first series on offense you got the impression that Klonne wasn't kidding.

Less than three minutes into the game Massillon running back

Travis McGuire burst through the Moeller defense for a 43-yard touchdown run, giving Massillon a 7-0 lead. Moeller responded by forging a touchdown drive of its own on its next' series, culminating with Brennan's 6-yard scoring run.

Each team added another touchdown in the first half to make it 13-12 at the half. Two missed extra point attempts accounted for the difference.

"We've got to take a long look at that situation," Klonne said.

"The bottom line is we can't miss extra points."

"We thought skill-wise that they were better than we were.

Let's face it, it looked bad in the

past Massillon, 27-13 b . . l"k ' . egmmng, 1 ewe weren t gomg to be able to come back. But when it was 13-12 at the half our guys really believed they could win." .

Klonne's instincts were correct.

Moeller opened the third period ~ith a strong possession drive, but It fell apart on an interception thrown ~Y Brennan deep in Massi!!on terntory. That would be the ·Crusaders last failure.

Two key turnovers by Massillon led to successful scoring opportunities by Moeller. ' Defensive back John Harpring's diving interception set up a 43yard touchdown strike from Brennan to Jeff Raussen with 35 seconds left in the third quarter. Bren-

nan had connected with Raussen earlier on another touchdown play, a 10-yard pass with just 13 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Crusaders put the game out of reach midway through the fourth quarter when Brennan teamed up with Scott Carlberg, a senior tight end, on a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-13.

Moeller held the ball on long possession drives, then mixed in big plays.

"We were able to keep their defense on the field long enough to control the game," Klonne said.

"We got some turnovers, and good field position. If you force those mistakes and you're any good afall

1- .22·- fl

you can win the games."

Brennan took himself out of the game late in the fourth quarter with cramps and exhaustion. Max Langenkamp, Moeller's senior tight end, suffered a strained knee, leaving him questionable for next week's GCL opener against St. Xavier.

MASSILLON--·--·--·-·--·--·-···-····7 6

-·--·---------·--·-···-6 6

o o-13

MOELLER a 1-21 Mas - Travis McGuire 42 run (Brown kick} Moe - Brennan 6 run (kick failed).

Mas - McGuire 11 run (kick failed) Moe wide)

Moe

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Jeff Raussen 10 pass from Brennan (kick

Raussen 43 pass from Brennan (Brown pass

from Brennan) Moe - Carlberg 10 pass from Brennan (Bryant kick).

Attendance: 10,000 estimated.

BRUCE CRIPPENfThe Cincinnati Post

Moeller coach Steve Klonne works with several Crusaders running backs in preparation for Saturday's game against Massillon Washington.

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\MOeller ~e~ts Michigan champs ;Elder blanks Lakota, 35-0; !CAJ?P. surges ·

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1THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

It may have been a mid-summer 95• Friday afternoon, but fall unofficially arrived Friday night as the high school football season began.

Moeller, the No. 2 ranked team in The Enquirer's pre-sea- · son poll, downed the defending Division III Michigan state champs, Detroit DePorres, coming from behind in the fourth quarter for a 21-12 victory.

Shawn. Brennan and John Harpring shared the quarterbacking duties for the Crusaders.

Elder was the pre-game favorite against Lakota, in the first meeting between the two schools, but the 35-0 margin of the Elder victory was a surprise.

"Defensively, we controlled the line of scrimmage," said Elder coach T.om Grippa. Elder was ranked No. 3, Lakota No. 7.

No.1 Princeton crushed Cen-· terville, 41-3, as James Olverson rushed for four touchdowns.

The Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education showed why it got 99 out of 100 possible votes in: the Cincinnati Hills League preseason poll, with one of the most lopsided victories of open--ing night. The Crusaders beat Woodward, 50-6.

In an upset, Kings beat Turpin, 12-7. Turpin was ranked second in the Queen City Conference (American). Kings was ranked sixth of seven teams in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference. Marc.

Downs passed for 120 yards and scored a touchdown.

~fl~l~!P slips by Moeller drives and a 45-yard kickoff return

by Dorien Hager proved to be the difference as Erie Prep's Ramblers dealt the Moeller Crusaders a 21-19 setback Saturday.

"The key to the game was the fact that Erie held the ball, controlled it and knocked it down our throat," Moeller coach Steve Klonne said. .

The Ramblers never trailed in the game, scoring on an 80-yard, 14-play drive on their first possession.

"We've never beaten Moeller, and this is the biggest win in the history of the school," Erie coach Mina George said.

Ranked No. 9 (big-school division) in Pennsylvania, Erie opened up a 14-0 halftime advantage.

Moeller took the second-half kickoff, driving 82 yards with quarterback Shawn Brennan throwing a 37-yard TD pass to Jeff Baur. But Erik Bryant's conversion kick was wide to the right.

Hager took the ensuing kickoff and streaked down the sidelines to the Moeller 45. In 12 plays, the Ramblers scored again, with Shantell Hilliard taking it in from the two.

0 0 6 13-19 7 7 7 0-21

MOELLER ERIE PREP

E - Tate 23 run (Baumann kick) E - Uebel 1 run (Baumann kick M- Baur, 37 pass from Brennan (kick wide) E- Hilliard 2 run (Baumann kick) M -Brown, 8 pass from Harpring (pass tailed) M - Brown, 8 pass from Brennan (Bryant kick) Records: Moener 1·1, Erie Prep 2-D. ·

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•.Moeller 28, Trotwood• Madrson 0 at Trotwood Madison' - Kelly Davis ran 14 times for: 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns. as Moeller scored a victory in a· g~me stopped g,t halftjl]le by lightmnl!. £r/(i( 9/1"1/9/ MOELLER_ 6 22 ' TROTWOOD.MADISON 0 0 :~' M-Davrs 19 run (pass faned) M-Oavis 16 run (Brown pass from Breooan} M-Jackson 1 run (Bryant kick) M-Carlberg 7 pass from Brennan (Bryant kick) Records: M 2·1, TM 1-2.

,

"he Moeller offense could do little of anything Saturday night in its '0·7 loss to Chicago Mt. Carmel. Senior running back Carlos Collins

JOHN E. SWARTZEUPRESS CONTRIBUTOR

is surrounded by brown jerseys as he tries to gain yards up the middle.

preseason· poll Crusaders' course.

Moeller ranks a close second IY DAVE SCHUTTE ~} .nquirer Contributor

1/ '

o/f f

Princeton High School is ready :> roll again.

The Vikings, the Division I state unner-up last season, received 22 f the 37 first place votes to capure the No. 1 preseason ranking 1 The Enquirer's high school foot·all poll, outpointing No. 2 Moel:r, 338-330. Elder was a distant hird.

"The kids will look at the ranklg as a challenge," said Pat Manuso, the veteran coach. "Hopeful~ y, they'll take pride ~n it and ttempt to remain there." · In USA. Today's preseason naional poll, Princeton was ranked .2th in the nation.

This is the second time in the •ast three seasons that Princeton vas voted the top team. Moeller vas given the honor in 1991.

Mancuso, who has 14 starters ·eturqing, has re-tooled the Vijngs' punishing defense and. tin:ered with the high octane offense.

"We've moved several people tround and they'll be playing in •trange positions," Ma_ncuso said. 'josh Johnson will play inside line>acker rather than defensive end md Rashawn. Hutchins has moved rom cornerback to safety." Hutchns was an honorable mention all:ity player iq1990: .. jason· Whitehead, ·Sam Young, )hondale Wolfork,. Corey· Glass, \aron Bozan and Brian Keeton are tlso back on defen'se . ·.

"This season is virtually the ·everse of last," Mancuso said. "In l990, we had a veteran offensive :earn and an inexperienced de·ense. This year, it's the opposite."

Despite Mancuso's concerns tbout the offensive· unit; Houston

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returns to lead the way along with running backs James Olverson (1,112 all-purpose yards) and Fred Brown.

Houston, who threw for only 450 yards in 1990, has impressed Mancuso with· ·his passing in two preseason scrimmages.

Returning guard Rob Black and tackle Delrico Simons should give Houston .fine protection while receivers Aaron Williams and Lamont Sanders haiti in the passes ..

Moeller coach Steve Klonne agreed that Princeton deserves the No. 1 ranking but questioned the Crusaders' No. 2· spot in the poll.

"We only have one starter back ' (Pleas~ see PREPS, · Page B-10)

The Cincinnati Enquirer/Di::k Swaim

S_teve Klonne, left, he~ football coach for Moeller High School, dtscuss~s strategy With a group of players during practice last week. .

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until Moeller put together a second-quarter, nine-play drive which ended in Ryan Jackson's 2-yard run.

In the third quarter a Moeller drive stalled at the nine-yard line, and after a failed field goal DePoores took over and scored on a 62-yard pass to Ron Ceustin putti~g the M~chigan team up' 12-7 Wlih four mmutes left in the third quarter.

Moeller came back with a 10play drive in the fourth quarter, led by quarterback John Harpring.

DEPOORF.S - - - - - 6 MOELLER---.- - - - 0

• Team-by-team outlooks/B-6-1 0.

• Roster, schedules/B-6-10..

• Tonight's games/B-11.

0 7

6 0

0-Winfur :rJ run (run faned) M-Jad<~on 2 run (Bryant kick) · 0-Ceus_tln 62 pass from Sturdivant (pass failed) M-OaviS IC run (Bryant kick) M-Brown 7 pass from Brennan (Bryant kick)

• Moeller 21, Detroit DePorres 12, at Galbreath Field Kelly DaTI8 rushed for 134 yards on 26 carries to lead Moeller over the Division III Michigan state champs.

DePorres jumped off to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, with Charles Winter scoring on a 37yard run to cap a 12-play opening drive. The teams exchanged 11unts

£/'14 Y/31/tfl

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0 -12 14 -21

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• IN THE FAMILY - A year ago, Moeller senior Steve Langenkamp was considered a recruiting coup for Kentucky. Langenkamp, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound tight end, turned down Ohio State, Louisville, West Virginia and Minnesota.

This season, his brother Max is drawing the atte_ntion of recruiters.

Max, a 6-foot-55, 245-pound senior tight end, has many of his brother's characteristics, said Moeller coach Steve Klonne, including the ability to block. Max, in a reserve role, caught one pass for 19 yards in 1990.

Greater Catholic League: A new look

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South Division

• ELDER :- A charter member of the Greater Cincinnati League, in 1928 with Purcell Marian, Roger Bacon and St. Xavier, Elder has won two of the last three football championships. The Panthers, unbeaten in the league in 1988 and 1989, snapped a string. of 15 consecutive GCL tifles won by Moeller. Elder ts picked to finish' 1 second behind Moeller in the South Division this season.

• La SALLE - The Lancers joined the GCL with Moeller and!

McNicholas in 1962 but never have won a GCL football champion-· ship. La Salle recorded its only, victory over Moeller in 26 meetings. two years ago, 42-38, and finished second in the league last season. ~ The Lancers, who have won seven games each of the last two seasons, are picked last in the South Division.

• ONCE ISN'T ENOUGH -

Greater Catholic League powers Elder and Moeller will play a homeand-home series this season. The first game will be on Oct. 4_at Elder and the finale Oct. 25 at Galbreath Field. Only the first game will count in the GCL standings. The second game, said Moeller athletic director Jim Lippincott, is an answer to a scheduling problem.

"Neither one of us could find anybody to play.~· Lippincott said. "I tried schools in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan and several other states. You can't sit around with a nine-game schedule."

Lippincott said the two schools signed a contract saying that if one school found another opponent, it would have to help the other school fill its open date. Moeller had an oral a9reement to play Traverse City, Mtch.; and Elder had an agreement to play Toledo St. John's.

Budget problems, however, forced Traverse City to back out, leaving the GCL rivals with little choice but to schedule a second meeting the first time it has happened.

.-MOELLER- Since becomin~ a GCL member, the Crusaders have dominated. Moeller, a seven-t1me state champion, has won a record 20 GCL titles:- including 15 .consecutive from 1973 to 1967..

Against Elder, La Salle and St. Xavier, the three members of the, South Division·. Moeller owns a 75-11-1 record. Moeller is the· preseason South Division favorite and is ranked second in the city. I

• ST. XAVIER~ The oldest school in the GCL, St. Xavier was! one of the league's four charter members and a co-champion with Purcell Marian in the inaugural season. The Bombers, who haven't'. won a league title since 1970, have finished atop the GCL 11 times.J This season, St. Xavier is picked to finish third in the South Division. i i

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North Division

• DAYTON CHAMINADE-JULIENNE - Former Middle- 1 town coach Jim Place will lead the Divisiqn II Eagles In their GCLI: debut.· Chaminade-Julienne, one of two GCL entries from the . Dayton area. is picked to finish fifth in the North Division.

1

• HAMILTON BADIN.- The defending Division Ill state; champion, Hamilton Badin (then . Hamilton Catholic) was a GCL' member from 1949 to 1951 but left because of its inability to 1 compete with memb~r schools. The Rams are the preseason choice to win the North Division championship. · • KETTERING ALTER -·After competing for three years in ' the Ohio Catholic League, the Kni9hts are one of six schools added 1 to the revamped GCL. A small Dtvision Ill school, Alter Is tied for second with Purcell Marian in the preseason North Division poll.-. :I • McNICHOLAS - The Rockets, previously GCL members:

from 1962 to 1970, are back. McNicholas, a Division Ill school this! season. has spent the l~st two years in the Queen City Conference. 1 McNicholas Is projected'·to finish last in the North Division. ·

. • PURCELL MA""RIAN ~A GCL charter-member, the Cava-· liers dropped out of league football competition in 1979 after almost[ two decades without a league title. The Division II Cavaliers are tied, for second in the preseason North Division polL ·

1 1 • ROGER BACON- Without the expansion, Roger Bacon-!

I' a Division II school and GCL charter member - was expected to: leave the league because of its size disparity in football, track and wrestling. Now, the Spartans have moved to the small-school . division and are picked to finish fourth in the North Division. j 1

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__ .:_ __ ,._____ -=-Tom Gamble.

Turnovers help Moeller slip past Poststaffreport

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Moeller took advantage of three turnovers in the fourth quarter to rally for a 21·12 victory against Detroit DePorres, the defending Michigan Class AAA champions.

The Crusaders, ranked second in The Post's preseason coaches' poll, fell behind 12-7 with 4:03 left in the third quarter, but marched 54 yards in 10 plays to go ahead 14-12. The scoring play was a 10-yard run by Kelly Davis, who had 43 yards rushing in the drive.

On DePorres' next possession, Moeller senior linebacker Jon Morgan intercepted a pass and . returned it to the DePorres' 39.

Davis, who finished with 134 yards on 26 carries, picked up 33

ofthe39yardsonMoeller'snext scoring drive, which was capped when Shawn Brennan passed seven yards to Josh Brown.

Moeller's Jason Florimonte intercepted DePorres quarterback Robin Sturdivant on the next play to seal the win. Moeller finished with 251 yards in total offense, 158 on the ground, while DePorres had 245 yards of total offense, 136 in the air.

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Michigan champSJ

o- 12 0 6 7 0 14-21 DO-Winters 37 run (run failed); M-Jackson 2 run (Bryant kick); DD-Ceustin 62 pass from Sturdivant (pass failed); MDavis 10 run (Bryant kick); M-Brown 7 pass from Brennan (Bryant kick). RECORDS: Moeller 1·0, Detroit DePorres 0-1.

DETROIT DePORRES MOELLER

./ Jason Brown (81) of Moeller led area receivers with 747 yards on 54 catches.

'Top 10 ·teams 1. PRINCETON - The Division I state runner-up last season, Princeton is vying for its third trip to the state championship game in four years. And area coaches say they at least have enough talent to win th. e 1991 city championship, if not earn a return trip to Canton. Coach Pat Mancuso's team, which returns eight starters on defense and a of talented position players on offense, was a near unanimous choice for the top spot in The Post's preseason city coaches poll after finishing 11-3 overall and 6-1 in the Greater Miami Conference. Senior quarterback Lamont Houston (5-foot-11, 180 pounds)· returns to direct the Vikings' offense, while senior running back James Olverson (6-0, 180)- the team's leading rusher last year with 960 yards on 142 carries and 12 touchdowns - also is back. Tackle Delrico Simons (6-3, 21 0), considered a Division I college prospect, will anchor the offensive line. Five of Princeton's returning defensive players are college prospects, according to recruiting experts, including tackle Corey Glass (6-1 , 195), linebacker Josh Johnson (6-1, 195) and defensive backs Rashawn Hutchins (5-10, 185), Shondale Wolfork (6-0, 160) and Sam Young (6-0, 180). Under Mancuso, who is in his 32nd season at P.rinceton, the Vikings have won seven or more games every season s1nce 1974 and all but two Greater Miami Conference titles since t967.

2. MOELLER -The Crusaders' coaching staff is talking about how

man~ starters they have to replace, but area coaches evidently aren't conv•nced. Moeller, the defending city champion, won its 20th Greater Cincinnati League championship last season and qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The Crusaders, 9-2 in 1990 and 4-0 in the GCL, return two starters on offense and one on defense. But there's plenty of talent in waiting, including a pair of strong-armed quarterbacks in seniors Shawn Brennan (6-3, 176), a transfer from St. ?<avier, and John Harpring (6-2, 1~0), who played at Marist High School 1n Atlanta last season. The open1n9-game starter, which has yet to be determined, will have a solid target 1n senior tight end Max Langenkamp (6-5, 245), whose. older broth~r. Steve, is a freshman at the University of Kentucky. Offens1ve guard Enc Wendt (6-5, 275), a preseason All-America pick by "Super Prep" magazine, will do the blocking. On defense, the Crusaders return two talented linebackers in senior Jon Morgan (6-3, 195) and Scott Ostholthoff (6-3, 210). In 10 seasons, coach Steve Klonne has won 85 percent of his games (89-16).

3. ELDER -After winning consecutive city championships in 1988

and 1989, the Panthers fell to 6-4 last season - 2-2 in the Greater Cincinnati Le~gue -and had to settle for a No. 9 ranking in the final city poll. But, behind the arm of senior quarterback Tim Austing (6-1, 190), the Panthers hope to return to the form that enabled them to record the school's first perfect regular season in 35 years in 1989. Though the Panthers figure to have a. potent passing attack, few teams will probably challenge the Elder secondary with senior Dave Becker (6-1, 21 0) back at strong safety. Coach Tom Grippa, who is 33-10 in four seasons, is co~cerned about his team's speed and depth. But, with. six players we1ghmg more than 225 pounds, Elder hopes to control the line of scrimmage.

4. ST. XAVIER- The Bombers are looking for consistency after a strange season a year ago. Coach Steve Rasso's team appeared to be a contender for the city championship after reeling off five straight victories to open the 1990 season. But, three weeks and three losses later, the Bombers weren't even ranked in the weekly coaches poll. ~hen, St. Xavier rallied to beat LaSalle and playoff-bound Middletown the final t:-v~ weeks to go 7-3, tying Elder for second place in the GCL at 2-2, and f1n1sh at No. 5. Gone are 1,000-yard rusher Brian Fitzgerald and starting quarterback Shawn Brennan, who transferred to Moeller.

Le~din_g t_he way on offense is senior tight end Chip Hendon (6-2, 220), wh1le .JUnior qua~terba.ck Jamie Doxsey (5-1 0, 160) has some varsity exper.•ence. Sen1or M1lan Barnes (5-9, 170) returns in the defensive backfield, but St. Xavier will be inexperienced in the defensive front.

5. WESTERN HILLS -

Picked to finish fourth in last year's preseason poll, the Mustangs struggled early under first-year coach Ed ~ oungs. ":"Jes~ern Hills, considered a. viable contender for the 1990 city . t1tle, los~ 1ts f1rst two. games to Ham1lton and St. Xavier. But, a victory over neighborhood nval Elder keyed a strong finish, as the Mustangs won seven of their final eight games to finish 7-3 and win the Metro County Conference with a 5-0 record. Led by versatile senior quarterback Robert Shurelds (6-2, 170) -who will also play safety -and junior running back Larry Byndon (5-9, 175), Western Hills should have a powerful offense. The Mustangs' defense will miss linebacker Thomas Sewell.and front line a.nd line~ackers lost to graduation. But the return of def~ns1ve backs Dam1on Da1ley (5-9, 150), Jamie Taylor (5-8, 150) and Chns Coston (6-0, 165) should make Western Hills a hard team to throw against.

6. LA SALLE -Senior tailback Ty Douthard, a preseason All-America pick by "Super Prep" magazine, hopes to lead the third straight winning season under coach Jim Louder, iiiii~r:.:.::...;,iil 17-13 in three seasons. Douthard (6-2, 200) rushed for 949 yards on 200 carries and 15 touchdowns last season as LaSalle finished 7-3 overall and 2-2 in the GCL for the second consecutive season. The Lancers, despite only having 14 seniors on their roster, do have strength at linebacker and the defensive line.

Linebacker Bart Conley (6-4, 200) defensive tackle Kurt Supe (6-4, 21 0) and defensive back Brady Gick (6-0, 180) are back to anchor the defense. The Lancers, too, hardly face an easy schedule as a . mel'!lb~r of the revamP,ed Greater Catholic League. J1m Louder The1r Inaugural league schedule features games against divisional schools, Elder, Moeller and St. Xavier, as well as a showdown with ~· ·-..2 9- 9( defending Division Ill champion Hamilton Badin.

7_.

F~IRFIELD.- After opening the 1990 season with consecutive

v1ctone~ ov~r Xen1a and Berwick (Pa.) To~ay'.s nat1.onal prep poll at the time -

- the top-ranked team in USA Fairfield managed just two wins 1n :ts .fmal e1ght games to fall to 4-6 overall and just 1-6 in the Greater M1am1 Conference. And having to replace the backfield of fullback Kadal~ Passmore (1, 108 yards rushing), tailback Carlos Smith (now at Georg1a Tech) and quarterback Spence Gunnell (505 passing yards, five TDs) could make 1991 just as difficult. The Indians will look to build their offense around senior running back Donovan Millson (5-9, 160). Center Butch Botts (6-2, 210) and guard Chip Mullen (6-1, 205) are back to anchor the .of~ensive .line. Defensively, coach Ben Hubbard lost 75 perc~nt of h!s llnebac_kmg corps to graduation, but has a talented pair to step 1n- M1ke H_awk1ns (6-1 •. 190) a.t inside backer and Kevin York (5-11, 185) on the outs1de. In add1t1on to 1ts GMC schedule, Fairfield will face Talawanda (8-2 last season), Withrow (7-3) and Mt. Healthy (7-3) in non-conference games. ·

8. MIDDLETOWN - Though ineligible for the state playoffs until

1993, the ~iddies and !irst~year coach Joe Tresey hope to successfully defend the1r Greater M1am1 Conference championship. In 1990, Middletown made more news off the field than on as the school violated a state rule by using an academically ineli!;Jible player in the second regular-season g~rrye and fai_led to report 1t to the Ohio High School Athletic Assoc1at1on. The_M•?dies, h~"":ever, still made the playoffs because of an OHSAA rule. M1dd1etown fm1shed 9-3 overall and 6-1 in the GMC claiming it~ second s~raight league title by tying Princeton. Tresey, wh~ replaces J1m Place, 1sn't without talent. The Middies' defense returns ~efensiv~ backs Tony Everhart (6-0, 170), who led the city with nine 1ntercept1ons last season, and Daniel Colson (6-0 180) as well as linebackers. John Duncan (6-3, 195) and Jon Ket;on (6~2. 225). On offe~se, tailback Darrell Montaie (5-10, 170) will lead the Middies' rush1ng attack. He scored nine touchdowns and rushed for almost 500 yards last season. ~·LAKOTA-:- A~ter finishing just 1-9 three years ago, going winless

·~ the Greater M1am1 Confe~ence, Lakota has turned its program into a c1tv power and a contender 1n the GMC. The Thunderbirds have finished 8-2 the last two seasons. But this year's team has a new look. Gone is the man responsible for the turnaround, coach John Sabatalo, and four playe_rs who moved on to Big Ten College programs - including two-t1me, 1,000-yard rusher Brian King and all-city offensive lineman Sco_tt Stratton. Both are playing at Penn State this fall. Ken Smith, an ass1stant under Sabatalo the past two seasons, is the man who will atte~pt to keep Lakota strong. Senior quarterback Dave Wheeler (5-7, 170), who completed 43 of 80 passes for 634 yards and eight TDs, is bac.k to lead the off_ense. His main target will be senior tight end Keith Sm1th (6-4';- 215~. Tailback Kyle Jordan (6-3, 170) will take over for King.

The lone return1ng offensive lineman is senior Paul Cromer (6-3, 220).

10. OAK HILLS - The arm of senior quarterback Rob Jones produced one of Greater Cincinnati's most potent offenses last season averaging 365 yards per game. Jones (6-2, 200), playing in his first varsity season in 1990 after recovering from major 'I' t. i.. knee surgery, was the area's second-leading passer. ~·,;··' . · . . . ,__,.:;.-._ • He completed 104 of 193 passes for 1,800 yards and · . .....J ""-:' 20 t~uchdowns. He threw just five interceptions '..

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C?n~ 1n the last six games as the Highlanders f1n1shed 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the Metro County . ~ Conference. ~e'll .be without receivers Dave William""'. son and Kevm Gnbbons, who combined to catch 62 • "\ , passes a ye~r ago. The offensive backfield of junior { ,1 Shad Wettench (6-0, 185) and senior Eric Kleiner (5-10, 180) should give Oak Hills a balanced attack. · B~b Klotz Coach Bob Klotz, whose team ·gave up more than 20 pomts per game last season, said the defense returns four starters defensive tackle Chris Collins (6-3, 23) and linebackers Tony DiTomaso (6-1, 195), Jeremy Marx (5-10, 180) and Jamie Seiler (5-11, 185).

J.M.J. MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL 1991 FOOTBALL AWARDS PROGRAM The Athletic Department of Moeller High School would like to thank the following people for their great cooperation and support of our football team this past season. In the event we have forgotten to mention someone who has helped, we sincerely apologize for the oversight and offer our deepest feeling of appreciation.

Bro. Joseph Kamis, S.M., Principal- For your guidance, patience and kind support.

Mr. Dan Ledford, Assistant Principal, Dean of Academics- For your support and friendship.

Mr. Dick Beerman, Assistant Athletic Director- For the tremendous work done in helping run our Athletic Department.

Mr. Bill Balbach, Business Manager- For his help and support.

Bro. Ron Luksic, S.M.- For doing an excellent job as Moeller's Director of Admissions.

Mrs. Rose Eckhoff, Development Director- For your help in various fund-raising projects.

Mr. Mike Murray and the Moeller Band- For their support and for some outstanding performances during the year.

Mrs. Connie Boehner, Cheerleader Moderator- For your generous donation of time for the welfare of the Cheerleaders.

Moeller Cheerleaders- For all your hard work and support.

Mr. Bob Kolkmeyer- For his organization and help with the student workers during the home games.

Mr. Carl Kremer- For the smooth running of the Press Box this season.

Mrs. Lynn Lapham- For all of your efforts in organizing the adult workers for our home games.

Bro. Dan Bell- For tremendous spiritual guidance and support.

Mrs. Carol Campbell- For all your help and dedicated service as our Athletic Secretary.

Mr. John Dumbacher- For all your statistical help this year.

Mr. Zip Montag- For doing the helmet awards this year and for helping each week with ticket sales.

Mrs. Burns, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Hindersman, Mrs. Moeggenberg, Mrs. Rice, and Mrs. Morgan- For your help this year.

Mr. Jeff Gaier and Mr. Dan Shannon- For running the clock and scoreboard at the home games.

Mr. Joe Asbrock, Mr. Harry Becker, Mr. Cliff Kemp and Mrs. Ralph Mills- For all your help on equipment and other special projects.

Mrs. Sandra Gividen and her staff- For all their help with our games at Galbreath Field.

The Medical Staff- For our physicals to start the year- for a great job.

Dr. Cianciolo, Dr. Duffy, Dr. Kollman, Dr. Kremchek, Dr. Lee, Dr. Rohlfs, Dr. Schlueter, and Mr. Mike SpilmanFor their constant help and attention this year.

Mr. Ted Cavalier, Mr. Ken Cavalier, Mrs. Eileen Siefke and Mrs. Jewel Pottebaum- For a great job on the Meat Sale this year.

All Saints Parish and Fr. Neiheisel- For your great spirit of cooperation and the use of their fields.

Captain Parents- For your help, support, and friendship all year with different projects.

Bro. Charles Wanda, S.M.- For his help with the game dedication.

Mrs. Marie Feldhaus- For her constant help and support.

Mr. Dick Beerman and Moeller Football Newsletter Staff, Carol Campbell, Dave Lapham, and Sean Tunning For a great job reporting the news.

The Booster Club and their officers- For a great job of supporting all our athletic teams.

Ad Drive Workers- For a job well done.

The Bookstore Workers- For your kind donation of time in the day-to-day running of the Bookstore.

Mrs. Ancona and Mrs. Marinich- For their time well spent doing tedious office work.

Mrs. Janet Roll and Sycamore Transportation- For their help in transporting Moeller's athletic teams.

AGAIN -

MANY THANKS!

Moeller Athletics could not survive without you!

1991 FOOTBALL STATISTICS

MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

CINCINNATI, OHIO

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FINAL

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OPPONENTS

MOELLER

RUSHING ATTEMPTS YARDS RUSHING PASSES ATTEMPTED PASSES COMPLETED YARDS PASSING INTERCEPTIONS BY TOTAL YARDS FIRST DOWNS RUSHING PASSING PENALTY NO. PENALTIES YARDS PENALIZED FUMBLES FUMBLES LOST SCORING Brown, J. Davis, K. Brennan, s.

Raussen, J. Jackson, R. Carlb~rg,

306 1164 221 117 1661 8 2825 147 59 74 14 54 510 18 9 TD

XPK

s.

Baur, J. Bryant, E. Hronek, B. Reardon, J. Houston, B.

Reardon, J. Brennan, s.

Jackson, R. Harpring, J.

1240 142 68 947 10 2187 112 61 40 11 38 378 12 5 EP2

FG

Totals

TOT

2

6 6 4 4 3 2 2

RUSHING

ATT

YDS

AVG

TD

48 54 12 7

232 36 33 9

4.8 0.7 2.8 1.3

1 4 3 0

306 1164

3.8

13

----------------------------------------------322 Davis, K. 185 854 4.6 5

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40 36 24 24 18 16 12 11 6 36 5

2 11

1 6 5

PASSING

ATT COMP YDS

Brennan, s.

Harpring, J.

201 104 1471 20 13 190

TD

!NT 9 1

15 1

RECEIVING

NO

YDS

AVG

TD

Brown, J. Raussen, J. Davis, K. Carlberg, s.

Baur, J. Hronek, B. Langenkamp, M. Kent, c.

17 12 10 8 8 6 2

254 171 97 186 87 93 30

14.9 14.3 9.7 23.3 10.9 15.5 15.0

4 1 2 2 1 0 0

PUNTING

NO

YDS

AVG

Brennan, S. Hilvert, M.

11 2

396 36.0 41 20.5

Opponents

41

1283 31.3

Opponents

36

1619 45.0

--------------------------------------6 54 743 13.8

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------16 506 31.6 4TH Marinich, D. 2ND 3RD T

SCORING BY QTRS 1ST MOELLER OPPONENTS

40 40

58 30

42 43

62 202 42 155

------------------------------------------------------------------------~----RECORD: KICKOFFS -----------------------------------------------------------------------------37 1970 53.2 12 Bryant, E. MOELLER: 21 DETR. DEPORRES MOELLER: MOELLER: MCâ&#x20AC;¢ELLER: MOELLER: MOELLER: MOELLER: MOELLER: MCEJ... LER: MOELLER: TOTAL:

19 28 27 28 7 21 27 14 10 202

ERIE PREP TROTWOOD MADISON MASSILLON WASH. ST. XAVIER ELDER LASALLE DAYTON ALTER ELDER PRINCETON OPPONENTS:

21 0 13 21 23 13 7 20 25 155

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------1991 FOOTBALL STATISTICS MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Final --------------------------------------------------------------------------------PUNT RETURNS

NO

YDS

AVG

TD

10 1 1 1

29 15 6 0

2.9 15.0 6.0 0.0

0 0 0 0

Opponents

12

56

4.7

0

KICKOFF RETURNS

NO

YDS

AVG

TD

Brown, J. Davis, K. Harpring, J. Berigan, B. Zinkan, T. Jackson, R.

11 9 5

163 230 110

3

11

1 1

17 8

14.8 25.6 22.0 3.7 17.0 8.0

0 0 0 0 0 0

Opponents

29

811

28.0

0

DEF. GRADE POINTS

TACK

PTS

84 86 64 64 73 52 43 25 27 21 21 13 20 20

126 125 123 114 111 93 78 61 53 48 40 31 27 27 21 13

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------12 Ostholthoff, s.

179 63 5.3 0 118

Brown, J. Hudson, R. Houston, T. Morgan, J. Cameron, J.

INTERCEPTIONS Florimonte, J. Harpring, J. Abel, M. Chinn, S. Morgan, J. Lucke, S. FUMBLES

NO

4 2 1 1 1 1

YR

46 3 36 27 19 0

AVG

11.5 1.5 36.0 27.0 19.0

o.o

NO

Brennan, S. Davis, K. Harpring, J. Brown, J. Reardon, J. Morgan, J. FUMBLES RECOVERED BY DEFENSE

TD 0 0 0 0 0 0

LOST

9

4

5 1 1 1 1

2 1 1 1 0

NO

TD

1 1

0 0 0 0

---------------------------------------1 c

Bianchini, J. Cameron, J. Harpring, J. Katona, A. Ostholthoff, D.

1

1

Abel, M. Morgan, J. Cameron, J. Katona, A. Florimonte, J. Borman, D. Houston, T. Harpring, J. Whalen, c.

Thiel, D. Hess, C. Thole, c.

Chinn, S. Harmeyer, J. Lucke, S. Marinich, D. Zinkan, T. Bianchini, J. Schofield, K. Koetter, T. Rodriquez, w.

Tincher, R. Ancona, T. Blomer, P. Bryant, E.

11 9 6

9

7

2 6

6

2 2 2 1 1 1

2 2 2 1 1 1

FIRST DOWN CONVERSIONS

ATT

CONV PCTG

Third Down Fourth Down

109 20

47 43.1% 12 60.0%

MOELLER DEFENSE HAS SCORED 0 POINTS