MOFOES: X WEEK
For the past 64 years, the Moeller vs St. Xaiver rivalry has been the focus of the athletic world. High tensions, high stakes, and high emotions fill the air as the two schools pack the stands of a sold-out stadium.
For the Moeller defensive backs, this game should be an absolute field day. With stats showing that 6 interceptions have been thrown in the past two games by their STARTING QB, the Bombers have struggled to maintain a passing offense against the Crusaders.
In contrast, the Wide Receiver core for the Crusaders, including Jovan Love, Matthew Fogler, Roman Mason, Landon Adams, and Carson Khayo have shown their importance to the offense with multiple receptions throughout the last couple of games. With Moeller’s QB, Matt Ponatoski coming out of a season that ended with 3000+ passing yards, this clears the opposing QB’s poor attempt of 1500 passing yards.
Throughout the years, the Crusaders outshine the Bombers with 46-24-1 overall record in the rivalry, almost doubling their wins. With that being said, it is also important to note that the Crusaders have won the last 4 consecutive games, which leaves us wondering how long we can continue to stomp the Bombers until they decide to retaliate.
An interview with team captain Ollie Hamre:
Ollie Hamre is in the 2025 Senior Class as a starting Offensive Lineman. Ollie has experienced the varsity atmosphere for 3 years and wishes to give his thoughts and opinions for the upcoming game this Friday.
The Crusader: What are the plans for the football team this upcoming week against the Bombers?
Hamre: We’re going to practice every day this week with a positive but ticked off mindset. We know what’s at stake for this game and we’re going to do the little right things at practice to prepare ourselves. When it comes gametime, the effort we give at practice will show itself when we beat X for the fifth time.
The Crusader: What does this rivalry mean to you? What are your opinions about the team off North Bend Road?
Hamre: This rivalry means a ton to me, and I say this because I think the Moeller versus St. X football rivalry is the biggest rivalry in the country for high school football. After generations and generations of Moe vs X, it still is always a great game, and it still always comes down to the wire. No matter who's the better team, who's at the better season, it always is a close game. Rarely ever is it a blowout. And I know this game also means a lot to alumni and hopefully future men of Moeller out there. Like I said in Cincinnati, it's probably the most anticipated high school football game in the state of Ohio every year, especially in Cincinnati. And it just means a lot to the guys. It's a week where we're just extra locked in and we're extra focused on going out Friday night and playing our best brand of ball. With that being said, it's also a week to where we get to practice tradition like none other. My thoughts on St. X are pretty simple: They're a great team, They're greatly coached, They got great players, I got nothing but respect for the program, and it's going to be a great game.
The Crusader: As one of our key starters for the offense, how have you helped prepare the O-line for a win on Friday?
Hamre: The way I like to help prepare for us to battle against X Friday night would just be staying locked in at practice. I think practice is one of the most important things we'll do to beat St. X. That's what gets the guys pumped up, and keeps the guys locked in. We're going to make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes. It's high school football, you know, when you give up a sack or you give up a TFL, it's patting your team on the back saying, “Hey man, it's going to be all right. next play, next play, next play.” It's all about that next play mentality and it's just being there for the guys, being supportive and pushing your teammates. Because like I said before earlier, this is the biggest rivalry in the nation for high school football. and it's just about pushing your teammates and being there and doing the little things the right way.
The Crusader: Is there a different mentality during X week? What makes it important?
Hamre: There's one hundred percent a different mentality during X week and l'd say the biggest factor of this mentality is that it’s a rivalry game. You see players and coaches extra locked in, you see guys going for the extra yard, making that extra block, you know, laying out for that catch, you see guys pushing themselves and pushing their teammates to win the game on Friday night because it's a rivalry game and what matters is winning.
The Crusader: How have the coaches prepared this week?
Hamre: The coaches have prepared for the week very, very well. They're staying up late, studying film, trying to figure out all the nooks and crannies of the offense and defense. They're out making game plans, oftentimes having to go back to the drawing board multiple times a day. They're pushing players to be their best, and they keep emphasizing the rivalry and the importance of this game.
The Crusader: How will the team prepare for another crazy atmosphere at the Bombers’ stadium?
Hamre: We have played at multiple sold out stadiums before and we've played a X before, we know the environment. We know how we're going to get treated, and I'm going to be honest with you, we're excited to get out there because we love playing in toxic environments. I think that's where we strive and do things like upsetting teams at home and playing in front of huge, you know, tens of thousands of fans is something that us players live for every day.
The Crusader: Any final thoughts?
Hamre: Thank you for having me out here for this interview. And for the boys: we need all you guys to show up on Friday, man, every single one of you. We need you guys to be there, be loud and go Moe baby!
Courtesy of Photography: Joshua Niemann