Moeller Football Looks to Sweep the GCL Back to Back Years
The 2019 Moeller Football season is in full swing and there is a lot to be excited about. Coach Todd Naumann is in his first year under the helm and the Crusaders are looking to defend their 2018 GCL title.
Coach Naumann firing up the team
Through four weeks the Moeller football team is 1-3 and really looking to win three straight as they head into GCL play. When asked about how they are looking to defend their title, Coach Naumann said, “The key is to take the momentum from the last two weeks into GCL play and really have confidence going into the games. The record goes out the window when we play the other GCL schools, so we need just go out there and compete.” After a rocky start, Mr. Naumann is still confident and tells the team “You have to continue to believe in yourself and believe in the team. We know we can hang with these teams, we know we have put in the work, and we just have to take it one day at a time.”
Coach Naumann is very excited for his opportunity to carry on the tradition and legacy of Moeller football. He also loves the positive impact that Moeller football has on the school’s culture and community. Coach Naumann said that he is most excited about, “The challenge, the challenge that is always presented to a Moeller football team and living up to the high expectations. Beyond that, watching the players grow, watching them grow as young men, players, and as a team.” Clearly you can tell how much Coach Todd Naumann cares about each and every one of his players and how much he loves the process of them growing up before his eyes.
Joe Toepfer, Kevin Thibodeaux, Andrew Deyhle, and Will Braley leading the team
Coach Naumann is also very proud of his seniors who have stepped up, especially the captains: Will Braley, Andrew Deyhle, Kevin Thibodeaux, and Joe Toepfer. The captains are chosen based on four attributes, academics, football, character, and leadership. He thinks that those guys fit that criteria and represent Moeller in the best possible way. Senior Michael Leonard agrees with the choice of leadership, “Great, I couldn’t think of a better group of guys to lead this football team.”
Coach Naumann also commented on other seniors who have stepped up in big leadership roles such as Wyatt Kelley, Michael Leonard, Carrington Valentine (both sides of the ball), and Drew Altemuehle who has fought some injuries.
When the Captains were asked about how honored they were to be selected as captain, there was a common answer about how excited they were to carry on the legacy. Joe Toepfer said, “I have always wanted to be a captain, and I am honored to be able lead this team.”
Andrew Deyhle also said, “I am excited to be a part of the few Moeller football players who have been able to be captains.” Will Braley was asked about how he was going to lead the team, he said, “I am going to do whatever I can to contribute on and off the field. My goal is to spread positivity and spread culture throughout the team.”
Kevin Thibodeaux’s favorite part of Moeller Football is “The tradition, it is the greatest high school football program in America.”
The captains are doing a great job so far and they are getting a lot of respect from their teammates too.
The Crusaders will mount their GCL title defense starting Friday night at Nippert Stadium against the St. Xavier Bombers.