In a game full of much excitement, St. Xavier's comeback attempt fell short, as they lost a heart-breaker to GCL rival Moeller 28-23 in the 2024 Regional Final.

First Quarter: Early Lead for St. Xavier
The game got off to a slow start, but St. Xavier struck first with a 22-yard field goal by Owen Davidson at the 1:52 mark of the first quarter. The 13-play, 58-yard drive took 7:08 off the clock and gave the Bombers a 3-0 lead. Moeller responded immediately as the first quarter came to a close, driving down the field in just a few moments. Quarterback Matt Ponatoski scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, capping off a 5-play, 68-yard drive that lasted 1:46, giving Moeller a 7-3 advantage.

Second Quarter: Back-and-Forth Action
St. Xavier regained the lead in the second quarter with a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chase Herbstreit to Daniel Vollmer at the 6:33 mark. The Bombers covered 74 yards on 14 plays in 5:19, taking a 10-7 lead. However, Moeller answered just 2:07 later when Ponatoski connected with Landen Adams on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 4:18 remaining in the half, putting the Crusaders up 14-10.

St. Xavier quickly responded again, as Herbstreit found Vollmer for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 1:03 left in the half, capping an 8-play, 68-yard drive in 3:07, giving the Bombers a 17-14 lead heading into halftime.

Third Quarter: Moeller Takes Control
The momentum shifted in Moeller's favor in the third quarter. At the 3:39 mark, Ponatoski threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Cooper McCutchen, completing a 7-play, 85-yard drive in 2:31 to give the Crusaders a 21-17 lead. St. Xavier struggled to respond offensively, and Moeller's defense held firm.

Fourth Quarter: Moeller Extends Lead
Moeller extended its lead to 28-17 with 9:19 remaining in the game when Tyler Josleyn powered in for a 2-yard touchdown run. The Crusaders used 9 plays to cover 83 yards in 3:52, and it appeared they had sealed the win.

St. Xavier's Late Rally
With time running out, St. Xavier mounted one last attempt to close the gap. At the 1:13 mark, junior Brayden Reilly made an incredible play, blocking a Moeller punt and returning it 6 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 28-23. The Bombers attempted an one-side kick with seconds left on the clock, but Moeller recovered the ball to secure the victory.

The St. Xavier Bombers concluded their season with a strong 10-4 record, finishing 2nd in the Greater Catholic League - South, just behind Moeller. This was a season defined by determination, passion, and moments that will be etched in the memory of fans, players, and coaches alike.

A huge thank you goes out to the coaching staff, the families, the dedicated players, and the managers who all played a crucial role in making this season unforgettable. Your support and commitment to the team have been invaluable, and your contributions helped shape this remarkable journey.

As we close this chapter, we also bid a heartfelt farewell to our senior athletes and managers. To the members of the 2025 class—your leadership, perseverance, and unwavering spirit have made a lasting impact on this program.  Your legacy will continue to inspire future generations of St. Xavier athletes. We are so proud and thankful for these last four years, and we look forward to your future endeavors! #GoBombers | #ThankYouSeniors