"Back to the Future" at FFL Stadium
Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:03 pm
America spent much of this week celebrating "Back to the Future Day" in honor of the hit 1980s movie series. The first quarter of today's St. Edward/Cincinnati Moeller game felt like a Delorean ride back the 1980s, an era when the words "Cincinnati Moeller" struck fear into every other football program in the state. The Moeller program was once so dominant that Head Coach Gerry Faust was hired by Notre Dame of Indiana to lead its program, an unprecedented move at the time. This year's team jumped to a quick lead in tonight's game, bringing back memories of those days. However, Moeller's first quarter lead did not hold up, and St. Edward went on to a 49-17 victory.
The Crusaders, who needed to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive, stormed out to a 17-0 lead over the #1 ranked Eagles in the first quarter. They were helped in large part by a strong wind coming out of the south, which affected all passes and kicks by St. Edward (which was going toward the south endzone). The Crusader fans that made the trip were extremely excited, chanting "Let's Go Moe" and tasting an upset.
The second quarter quickly changed the mood. St. Edward had the wind at its back, and promptly scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-17 lead into the half. The Eagles also had the wind at their back in the third quarter, and stretched the lead even further to 35-17. Heavy rain began falling in the third quarter, which combined with the wind made for terrible playing conditions. By the time Moeller got the wind to its back in the fourth quarter, their defense had become worn down by the powerful Eagle offensive line. In addition, the speedy St. Edward defense, including defensive lineman Michael O'Malley, began to tire the Moeller offense.
Eagle running back Cole Gest, who had been contained for much of the game, broke loose in the third quarter for a backbreaking 38 yard touchdown run on a fourth down play. He finished the day with 147 yards rushing on 22 carries with three TDs. Eagle quarterback Jimmy Keefe threw for three TDs, two to Matt Gonzalez and one to Teddy Gordon.
The win moves St. Edward's record to 7-2 on the season. They finish the regular season Saturday at FFL Stadium against arch-rival St. Ignatius. The Wildcats must win the game in order to advance to the OHSAA playoffs, so they will be incredibly motivated. The "Halloween Holy War" will have a special 2pm kickoff time due to the holiday.
The Crusaders, who needed to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive, stormed out to a 17-0 lead over the #1 ranked Eagles in the first quarter. They were helped in large part by a strong wind coming out of the south, which affected all passes and kicks by St. Edward (which was going toward the south endzone). The Crusader fans that made the trip were extremely excited, chanting "Let's Go Moe" and tasting an upset.
The second quarter quickly changed the mood. St. Edward had the wind at its back, and promptly scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-17 lead into the half. The Eagles also had the wind at their back in the third quarter, and stretched the lead even further to 35-17. Heavy rain began falling in the third quarter, which combined with the wind made for terrible playing conditions. By the time Moeller got the wind to its back in the fourth quarter, their defense had become worn down by the powerful Eagle offensive line. In addition, the speedy St. Edward defense, including defensive lineman Michael O'Malley, began to tire the Moeller offense.
Eagle running back Cole Gest, who had been contained for much of the game, broke loose in the third quarter for a backbreaking 38 yard touchdown run on a fourth down play. He finished the day with 147 yards rushing on 22 carries with three TDs. Eagle quarterback Jimmy Keefe threw for three TDs, two to Matt Gonzalez and one to Teddy Gordon.
The win moves St. Edward's record to 7-2 on the season. They finish the regular season Saturday at FFL Stadium against arch-rival St. Ignatius. The Wildcats must win the game in order to advance to the OHSAA playoffs, so they will be incredibly motivated. The "Halloween Holy War" will have a special 2pm kickoff time due to the holiday.