Cincinnati Area Game of the week: Moeller versus Saint Xavier

Honestly it may not be just the best game in Cincinnati.  When Archbishop Moeller and Saint Xavier meet tonight at the the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium it could very well be the biggest game in the State of Ohio.  Beyond bragging rights, the game will be for sole possession of the GLC South and the #1 spot in the region for Division 1 Region 4 OHSAA state rankings.  Saint X pulled away from Lakota West in the second half of week 1 to win 31-14.  Since then, the Bombers have been bombing their opponents, outscoring it’s opponents in the first half of their games 125-3.  Moeller’s offense is averaging nearly 40 points per a game and their defense has gotten stops when they’ve needed too. <strong>Saint X on Offense Moeller on Defense</strong> On offense X is lead by 2022 QB [player_tooltip player_id="91531" first="Brogan" last="McCaughey"].  Brogan has passed for 739 yards and an impressive 10 TD’s and 0 INT’s on the season.  You could probably double those numbers if it weren’t for that he’s only played in 2 quarters of each game over the last 3 weeks.  McCaughey is our Prep Redzone 6th ranked QB in the 2022 class and has offers from several MAC schools as well as D1 FCS schools.  Brogan is the rock steady leader of the Saint  X offense.  He has the arm strength to make throws down the field and the accuracy to spread the ball around and take what the defense gives them.  He can get out and run to pick up first downs and throw on the run as well. McCaughey is protected by two of the top offensive linemen in Ohio in Prep Redzone’s #6 and #7 ranked linemen in our 2022 class in  [player_tooltip player_id="34416" first="Brian" last="Parker"] and Cam Collins.  Parker is committed to play football at Duke.  Collins has offers from Louisville, West Virginia and roughly half of the MAC conference.  Terrell McFarlin and Max Clare are the top receiving threats for the Bombers, while [player_tooltip player_id="131646" first="Charles" last="Kellom"] will tote the rock. The Moeller defense is lead by linebacker Joe Ginnetti.  Joe leads the GWOC South in tackles.  Joe does a great job of running downhill, playing pursuit angles, and has a great motor.  On the backend Isaiah Summerlin is one to watch.  At 6’2 200 pounds Summerlin is a long athletic free safety.  He shows great ball awareness and his combo of length and athleticism allows him to be a threat to take the ball away any time an opposing QB goes deep.  Can run support when needed.  2022 Defensive End [player_tooltip player_id="129154" first="Chase" last="Brown"] and 2022 DB Matthew Seliga are other players to watch. <strong>Saint X on Defense and Moeller on Offense</strong> Saint Xavier may have the best defense in the state of Ohio.  The Bombers defense is lead by senior trio of LB [player_tooltip player_id="106898" first="Grant" last="Lyons"], DB Eli Kirk, and DE [player_tooltip player_id="129156" first="Sam" last="Buerkle"].  Both Kirk and Lyons are rated in the top 20 players in the state at their respective positions.  Lyons is committed to Miami of Ohio and Kirk is receiving MAC and D1 FCS interests.   Lyons will line up inside, he’ll line up outside, but wherever he lines up the young man just makes plays.  He has a very good combo of size/speed/instincts.  Kirk is a strong safety who loves to fly around and hit.  Defensive End [player_tooltip player_id="129156" first="Sam" last="Buerkle"] does a great job of setting the edge.  Sophomore defensive tackle Ted Hammons is a young player to watch.  He has good size at 6’4 250 and a strong bull rush that has earned him double teams.  He’s already picked up an offer from Temple. Moeller’s offense has had 2 quarterbacks at the helm this year.  The Crusaders have leaned on a due at QB this season in Senior Noah Geselbracht and Sophomore Van George.  Both have played very well.  Geselbracht is a 6’5 QB with solid arm strength and a good feel for his offense.  Noah is getting strong D2 interest.  George can spread the ball around and has the athleticism to make you pay with his legs if you don’t account for him scrambling.  Much of Moeller’s offensive success through the air is due to the weapons they have on the outside.  You have two Wide Receivers that could be the fastest receivers in the state of Ohio.  Both 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="34407" first="Brandon" last="White"] and 2023 Tennel Bryant are speed demons with legit 4.3 speed.  White has offers from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Marshall among others.  Bryant is starting to pick up D1 FBS interest.  If those two weren’t enough to deal with you 6’5 240 pound, University of Kentucky commit [player_tooltip player_id="34391" first="Josh" last="Kattus"] to deal with at Tight End.  Sophomore Jordan Marshall is the leading rusher in the GLC South and is the main cog on the ground for the Crusaders.  The up and coming 2024 shows a good blend of speed and vision and will run through contact.