St. Edward Defeats Moeller 28-21 in Contest not Decided until Last Instant

Photo by Al Kornspan

Lakewood – After a scoreless first quarter, St. Edward put 21 points on the board in the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead over Moeller.  

St. Edward then led by 21 points until the last few minutes of the third quarter when Moeller began an incredible comeback attempt.  

However, Moeller’s final Hail Mary attempt was knocked out of a Moeller receivers hands at the last instant, sealing a 28-21 victory for St. Edward.

St. Edward scored first in the second quarter on a 22-yard touchdown run by Brandon White with 9:48 to go in the first half.

Week 9 Saturday Featured Game 🌟

2Q | 9:48
St. Edward – 7
Archbishop Moeller – 0@WhiteBrandon26 puts the first points on the board with a 22-yard TD run for Ed’s!#NEOFB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/1LgntU3I5D

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) October 14, 2023

The Eagles then made the score 14-0 on a one-yard touchdown run by Jon Slaper with 3:38 to go in the second quarter. 

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2Q | 3:38
St. Edward – 14
Archbishop Moeller – 0

After forcing another Moeller punt, Ed’s gets in the end zone again on a 1-yard score from @jslaper2.#NEOFB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/y7CnbyrZsF

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) October 14, 2023

St. Edward scored their third touchdown of the second quarter when senior quarterback and Davidson commit Casey Bullock connected with senior wide receiver Josh Groudle for a 24-yard touchdown to put the Eagles ahead 21-0 heading into halftime.

Moeller got on the scoreboard with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter with an 82-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-6.

On the touchdown, sophomore quarterback and University of Missouri baseball commit Matt Ponatoski connected with junior Matthew Fogler.

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*End of the 3rd*
St. Edward – 21
Archbishop Moeller – 6

Moeller gets on the board late in the third on an 82-yard TD from @mattponatoski to @MatthewFogler.#NEOFB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/O16Mua6Pj0

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) October 14, 2023

 

St. Edward followed with an early fourth quarter 25-yard touchdown run by Brandon White to make the score 28-6 with 11:18 remaining in the game.

@WhiteBrandon26 with the touchdown run for @SEHS_FOOTBALL to take a 28-6 lead with 11:18 left in game@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/1e5ao5X5do

— Alan Kornspan (@careersinsports) October 14, 2023

 

There is a reason Moeller is a perennial top ranked

football team in the state of Ohio and they had no intention of not fighting to the end to try to get the victory.

The last 11:18 of this contest was epic.

Here is what happened.

Moeller got the ball back and drove down the field. 

With 9:57 left in the game, Ponatoski threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Love. 

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4Q | 9:55
St. Edward – 28
Archbishop Moeller – 14

Moeller’s offense has found their rhythm, quickly scoring again on a 26-yard TD from @mattponatoski to @JovanLove25.

2-pt conversion is successful.#NEOFB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/PXApDCgmHa

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) October 14, 2023

 

Moeller then converted the two point conversion to bring the score to 28-14.

With 9:57 left St. Edward started their next drive at their own 30 yard line. After picking up multiple first downs on a drive in which a majority of the plays were running plays to Brandon White, Moeller stopped the Eagles at the Moeller 39-yard line.

St. Edward then punted and pinned Moeller at the four yard line with a 35-yard punt.

So Moeller had the ball at their own four yard line trailing by 14 points with 2:51 left in the game.

Moeller then drove down the field and Ponatoski threw another touchdown pass to Jovan Love with 1:28 remaining in regulation.

Week 9 Saturday Featured Game 🌟

4Q | 1:26
St. Edward – 28
Archbishop Moeller – 21@JovanLove25 catches his second TD of the fourth quarter to bring Moeller within a score… 👀 #NEOFB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/yNkgdkPfPt

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) October 14, 2023

 

Trailing 28-21, Moeller came very close to recovering the onside kick.

Moeller forces Ed’s to punt.

They’ll take over at their own 23 with 0:12 left, trailing 28-21. https://t.co/TIUxFRV27Z

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) October 14, 2023

 

St. Edward gained possession after the onside kick and started the next drive with 1:24 left in the game at their own 49-yard line.

The Moeller defense forced a three and out and after St. Edward punted, Moeller got the ball back with twelve seconds left in the game. 

Moeller, starting at their own 23, completed a 37-yard pass. 

Moeller now had the ball at the St. Edward 40-yard line with one second remaining.

Moeller almost completed the Hail Mary, but the potential game tying touchdown pass was knocked out of the Moeller receivers hands as time expired.

Incredible football game between @SEHS_FOOTBALL and @MoellerFootball that came down to the final play.@SEHS_FOOTBALL won 28-21.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/IVDeHWTCSw

— Alan Kornspan (@careersinsports) October 14, 2023

 

For the Game St. Edward was led by sophomore running back Brandon White who gained 262 yards on 32 carries and rushed for two touchdowns. White was also the leading receiver for St. Edward as he caught four passes for 68 yards.

Moeller was led by quarterback Matt Ponatoski and wide receiver Jovan Love. Ponatoski threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns while Love caught 9 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

What an incredible game by two of the top high school football programs in the state of Ohio!