SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Moeller junior quarterback Matt Ponatoski stood near the far end zone Friday night on St. Xavier's Tom Ballaban Field with a bandaged chin and smiled.
"I don't care how many stitches I got - I was going to play," said Ponatoski. "I came out here and I played. I had to rely on the offensive line to keep me safe and I didn't get hit one time today so I didn't even have to worry about my chin."
Ponatoski became Moeller's all-time leader in career passing yards as he helped to lead the Crusaders past St. Xavier 45-37 in front of a sold-out crowd (7,000) at RDI Stadium.
Ponatoski tied a single-game program record with six touchdown passes Friday night for Moeller (4-1, 1-0 GCL South). He was 18 of 25 passing for 321 yards.
Ponatoski is Moeller’s all-time leader in career passing yards (4,959) and career TD passes (50).
"Coming into Moeller I didn't know if I was going to play football," Ponatoski said. "The opportunity I got as a freshman I'm grateful for it. To come and break it on a night like tonight where it's a close game, big crowd - it's awesome."
Ponatoski had to receive three stitches after the final play of Moeller's 21-14 overtime loss to Mallard Creek (Charlotte) last week in Ironton.
But, he wasn't about to miss the Greater Catholic League South opener this season.
"He's a battler and he never gave up whatsoever," Bathiany said. "He gets hit in the last play of the game. He's bleeding all over the field. He gets stitches and the first thing he says is, 'I'm playing against X.' That's the kind of kid he is - he's a warrior."
Moeller junior running back Tyler Josleyn rushed 23 times for 99 yards. He also had a receiving touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Jovan Love had six receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Matthew Fogler had two receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Roman Mason had a 37-yard touchdown reception.
The Moeller football team extended its win streak over St. Xavier to five games.
Moeller, ranked No. 3 in the Division I, Region 4 computer points standings, is ranked No. 6 in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings. St. X is ranked No. 5 in the Division I, Region 4 and No. 7 in the MaxPreps rankings.
Friday night was the 72nd meeting between the storied programs. Moeller leads the all-time series, 47-24-1. This was the third time the teams played since Sept. 15, 2023. Moeller defeated host St. X 10-7 in the first round of the playoffs last season.
St. X (3-2, 0-1 GCL South) hasn’t defeated Moeller since Sept. 17, 2021 (49-16).
St. X senior quarterback Chase Herbstreit threw for 165 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 15 times for 171 yards and a touchdown. Junior Daniel Vollmer rushed for two touchdowns.
Moeller plays at La Salle Sept. 27. St. X plays at Elder next week.
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