OHIO CITY, OH - Saint Ignatius (4-4) made their return to Wasmer Field for the second time this season this past Friday, looking to get back on track after a tough 31-14 loss last week against St. Edward (7-1). It wasn't going to be any easier for the Cats, however, as they were welcoming in the #4-ranked team in the state and a squad that had won four in a row, the Archbishop Moeller Crusaders (6-2). Moeller posed many threats, including a high-flying offense and a solid overall defense. The one advantage Saint Ignatius had was that Moeller would be making a same-day trip from Cincinnati. Nevertheless, tonight was set to be a tough threat for the Cats.
Saint Ignatius got the ball first and got out to a rough start, as they went three-and-out on their first drive. However, the long snap on the punt went over the head of
Griffin Roberts, got blocked, and then trickled through the back of the endzone for a safety. Just like that, Moeller led 2-0.
Moeller would then add onto their 2-0 lead on only three offensive plays, as sophomore running back Juice Glover-Brown had two chunk runs on the drive, including a 38-yard scamper for a touchdown, giving Moeller a 9-0 lead with 10:35 remaining in the first.
The Cats would answer, as
Jacob Mikin found
Billy Cole over the middle on the following drive, and Cole won the footrace to the endzone. A 54-yard score to cut the lead down to one, as the Cats went for two and
Dane Donovan found
Jack Favret in the corner of the endzone. The Cats' defense stood tall on the next possession, and Saint Ignatius was once again moving the football offensively with a chance to take the lead. However, Mikin was picked off by Mason Tate, who took the return back into Saint Ignatius territory, and the Cats were turned away.
Moeller would cash in on the good field position, but the Cats held them to three, as Jack Mallabar nailed a 21-yarder to make 12-8 Moeller. The Cats' next drive stalled out, and the first quarter came to a close with Moeller leading 12-8. Both sides punted to start the second quarter, but on the Cats' third drive, a strip sack and recovery from three-star Julian Dwyer set the Crusaders up in prime field position, which they took advantage of with a Juice Glover-Brown 14-yard score to take a 19-8 lead.
Moeller continued to hold the Cats offense at bay, and Moeller would add onto their lead with a 39-yard field goal from Jack Mallbar with 4:40 remaining in the first half, as the score was now 22-8. Desperately needing to mount a scoring drive with Moeller getting the football to start the second half, the Cats did just that, as Mikin orchestrated a long drive with runs by
JT Hummer that was ultimately capped off by a 41-yard touchdown pass to Cole. Cole's second of the night, and the Cats got the score back within one possession with 52 seconds left in the half.
Saint Ignatius did end up getting the football back with very little time left and a chance to chip away at the Moeller lead again, but Mikin was picked off for the second time in the game, this time by Makaio Butler, and that ended those chances. At halftime, Moeller led 22-15.
The third quarter was all Crusaders, as they extended their lead in a big way. On the first drive of the second half, Phil Bailey, who also had a big game out of the backfield for the Crusaders, would cap off the first drive with a big 55-yard run to pay dirt to give Moeller a two-score lead with 9:17 remaining in the third.
The Cats were then stuffed on fourth-and-one on their own side of the field, and Moeller took advantage of the short field. It wasn't easy, and it took some time, which worked in Moeller's favor, but eventually Hunter McLaughlin found Reggie Watson, his favorite target, for a 12-yard touchdown reception that increased the Moeller lead to three scores, 36-15, where it remained after three quarters.
The fourth quarter showed some positive signs for the Cats, but it was too little too late.
Logan Drummond picked up his third interception of the year on a goal-to-go fade play to the endzone, in which he picked off McLaughlin, giving the Cats some temporary life, and that was coupled with a drive with some big catches from
Trey Haddad. However, a sack on fourth-and-eight in Moeller territory from Andrew Griga all but ended the Cats' hopes of a victory.
Moeller would put the final touches on the game with an eight-yard score from Phil Bailey on the ground, making it 43-15. The Cats would answer on their final drive of the game, as Mikin found
Brandon Paull on a short route, and Paull reversed course and went 78 yards for his first varsity touchdown, and a late score for Saint Ignatius. The PAT was deflected and unsuccessful, so the game ended with a final score of 43-21 in favor of Moeller.
Moeller didn't play their cleanest game of football either, but the Cats made too many mistakes to win against a formidable opponent. Some off-line snaps, both on special teams and on offense, and some turnovers hurt the Cats' efforts in this ballgame. For the first time this year, the Cats have dropped back-to-back games, and are now 4-4 on the year.
Saint Ignatius High School also hosted a handful of Cleveland Browns players, as KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Jerry Jeudy, Dylan Sampson, Malachi Corley, and Quinshon Judkins were in attendance.
Next up for the Cats is a trip down to the Queen City, as they get to take on the St. Xavier Bombers (4-4) in the Paul Lammermeier Cup. Kickoff will be at 6:00 p.m. from Cincinnati, and the SIBN will have full coverage.
