Moeller Football Recap
Moeller Football 2024
After a long, scrappy journey to the State Championship, the Moeller Crusaders have taken their trip up to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in hopes of concealing the State Title. However, unfortunately this was not the case, and they lost their chance at winning their 10th State Title—Last title being claimed in 2013—when the final score struck 28-14 in favor of Olentangy Liberty. Furthermore, here are some historical facts about the past years of the Crusaders venture through the state tournament:
2021 – Moeller defeats Oak Hills, Fairfield, Princeton, and Lakota West to extend their drive until the Regional Finals where they fell short to the Springfield Wildcats.
2022 – Moeller defeats Hamilton, St. Xaiver, Mason, and Lakota West to extend their drive for the title until they met the roadblock that was Springfield once again.
2023 – Moeller defeats West Clermont, St. Xaiver, Mason, and Lakota West to extend their journey again to the Regional Finals, only to fall to the Wildcats for the 3rd year in a row.
2024 – The Regional Final losing streak was broken, as Moeller defeats Sycamore, Lakota East, Princeton, St. Xaiver, and Centerville to punch their ticket for the State Championship with aspirations of earning their 10th title. However, their efforts fell short once again, with a devastating loss to the Olentangy Liberty Patriots.
As another season comes to an end, the program will be graduating +30 seniors, pushing several of starting juniors to make their mark in the program as leaders. Although this is the case, the record of 14-2 should not be overlooked, as the Crusaders had an enjoyable regular season and left many of the fans pleased with the outcome of their games.
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An Interview with Jack Clements:
Jack was a safety for the Crusaders throughout their season with plenty of experiences to share. He plans on continuing his academic career at The Ohio State University, studying psychology.
What are some highlights from this past season that made it a memorable senior year?
Beating X at X and then again the regional championship stands out. The same thing goes for winning the King of the Block twice. Nothing is better than winning rivalry games.
Who are some teammates that you found as good leaders for the team?
Being in the safety room, Griffin Daley and Lincoln Murphy were always the go-to motivators before games.
What was your most memorable game or play this season?
I’d say my most memorable game was the first time we faced off against X. The energy was crazy, and the stadium was super loud. I didn’t play great, but I was just glad that we came out with the win.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the season?
I broke my hand during the LaSalle game, and I had to wear a cast for the rest of the season. This made it pretty difficult at times to play up to par.
How did the team's chemistry evolve over the course of the season?
I honestly think this was the closest the team has ever felt throughout my four years. You could feel love when you stepped into the locker room. We got closer and closer each week.
How do you think the team can improve next season?
I think the program is in good hands. We have a very talented class for 2026. As long as they work hard during the off season, they’re going to be in the mix for another state appearance.
