Friday Nights Are Back: Crusader Football Thrills Early
Crusader football is back and 2025 is off to a thrilling start. The Crusaders have had a great start to the season, after months of waiting, fans are excited to see the team play another season against teams from Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, and Michigan. After losing many senior starters the crusaders return most of their starters on offense with names like Matt Ponatoski, Cooper McCutchan, Sam Hamilton, and Carson Khayo. Defense returns two starters with lots of new faces starting for the havoc mob.
Photo Credits to Diegan Lyons
In the start of the season, the crusaders have had their ups and downs. The injury bug has swarmed throughout Moeller, resulting in 10 players being sidelined with an injury that lasts weeks. This has shown as each week starting down two touchdowns to each of their opponents. The offense had shown some early struggles to start; an overhauled offensive line and completely new receiver core has shown its effects as the offense has struggled to find its way. On defense, they looked on paper, amazing. Six interceptions against Princeton, a pick six against Mt. Carmel, and a pick against Trinity. The Crusaders’ season hasn’t been perfect, but it has shown just how much fight this team has. The offense is still working to find its rhythm, while the defense has already delivered the kind of big plays that keep fans on their feet. With each week, this group looks a little tougher, a little sharper — and if they keep growing, the Crusaders have a real chance to become one of the most exciting teams in the region.
After three weeks the Crusaders sit 3-1 with wins against Princeton, Trinity (KY), and Christ Presbyterian Academy (TN). In week 2 the Crusaders played Mount Carmel from Chicago, Illinois. Some called this game one of the best they’ve ever watched. It was a nail biter to the end as Mount Carmel came out on top winning on the last play of regulation on a two-point conversion. The team has started their gauntlet by playing three straight state champions and continuing GCL play with St. X on September 19th. The team plays at West Clermont and play archrival St. Xavier Friday night at 7:00 PM