Crusaders must get past Bombers' block

For the preceding few years, Moeller's road to a Greater Cincinnati League South Division championship has run through St. Xavier.

Unfortunately, at least from the Crusaders' point of view, that road has been closed. Over the preceding six years, three St. Xwins over Moeller have cost the Crusaders GCL South championships, twice in the final game of the regular season- 21-0 in 2006 and 13-10 last season.

"It certainly heats up the rivalry, but it's a positive rivalry," Moeller coach John Rodenberg said. "We take a ton of honor for St. Xavier and what they do."

For the 1st time since 2004, the two teams will see tonight in a week other than the season's final game when 4-0 Moeller travels to St. Xavier for both teams' league opener. Whether the outcome determines the eventual league champion remains to be seen, but Rodenberg is glad that the teams aren't meeting in the finale.

"I favor it in Week 5 or somewhere other than Week 10," said Rodenberg, who's guided Moeller to a 4-0 start. "You might be getting ready for the playoffs, and you don't take that kind of emotion- plus, you could end up playing them again in Week 11 or 13."

Moeller, ranked No. 2 in the Enquirer's Division I area coaches poll and the Area 4 Harbin computer ratings and No. 5 in the Associated Press Division I statewide media poll, hasn't won an outright GCL South championship since 1997 and hasn't shared a championship since 1999.

If the Crusaders are leaving to go out of that slump any year, this power be the one. Rodenberg has put together a balanced team featuring a two-quarterback system- senior Charlie Fiessinger and sophomore Spencer Iacovone- on offense that can hold an opposing defense off-balance.

"We've got a lot of guys catching the football," Rodenberg said. "We've got a pair of guys who work at tailback, and our defense is acting as a team.

"After we win, we pluck a participant of the back on crime and defense, and it's been very hard for our coaches to clean this year."

St. Xavier coach Steve Specht respects both of Moeller's quarterbacks, but he believes the punt will be decided on the line, no matter who's under center.

"They're huge," he said. "They're a lot like us. They'll try to beat you and build a working game."

The 3-1 Bombers planned on going into the season running the formal and playing stout defense, which is just how things are shaking out.

Junior running back ConorHundley leads the part with 699 yards rushing, and St. Xavier is second behind La Salle in haste and total defense and points allowed.

Senior linebacker Steven Daniels leads the defense- he has a league-leading six sacks for the Bombers.

"We've made a lot of improvement, but we even get a ways to go," Specht said. "I suppose we get the potentiality to be really good. Right now, I can't say we're good. I told the kids the early day, 'I'll let you experience when you're good."

That might follow as early as Saturday.