A matchup defined by resilience, big-moment defense, and a fourth-quarter statement drive, St. Xavier clawed out a 17–13 win over Archbishop Moeller in a tense GCL showdown at Welcome Stadium.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
The Bombers opened the night with precision. Jackson Frey got comfortable early, hitting Cameron Taylor for 14 yards and then finding Jake Britt to push the drive near midfield. After a 29-yard strike to Daniel Vollmer helped St. X break into the red zone, Owen Davidson drilled a 27-yard field goal to give St. Xavier a 3–0 lead.
From there, the Bomber defense immediately showed up, stuffing the Crusaders on back-to-back rushing attempts and forcing a punt after just 32 yards.
Momentum Swings, and St. X Swings Back
After another efficient St. X drive into Moeller territory, the first quarter expired with the Bombers winning the field position battle. But Moeller found life in the second quarter, piecing together a long 64-yard drive before tying the game 3–3 on a 35-yard kick.
St. X answered quickly.
Frey uncorked a 33-yard sideline dart to Logan Von Holle, then scrambled for 15 more. Moments later, Frey found Alex McClatchey on a 23-yard touchdown strike to push St. Xavier ahead 10–3 with 3:19 left in the half.
Moeller immediately countered with a 78-yard catch-and-run to even the score 10–10, and a late Crusader surge was denied when John Veith broke through to block a 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
Defense Holds the Line
Moeller opened the second half with a 69-yard drive, but the Bombers refused to break in the red zone, holding the Crusaders to a field goal... Moeller's last points of the night.
From there, St. Xavier's defense took over.
Brayden Reilly, Aden Reeder, Kobe Clapper, and Jake Britt all delivered key tackles in space. Griffin Lyons added a sack. And the Bombers repeatedly forced Moeller into long-yardage situations they couldn't escape.
The Defining Drive
Down 13–10 with under six minutes to play and the ball pinned on their own 8-yard line, the Bombers needed their best drive of the season.
Frey hit Vollmer for 5, then again for 26. After an intentional grounding call pushed St. X behind the chains, Frey calmly found Cameron Taylor for 13 yards to get the momentum back.
Moeller handed St. X new life with a pass interference on 4th-and-9, and the Bombers seized the moment:
Davidson's kick made it 17–13, and all that remained was one last defensive stand.
Sealing It
The Crusaders' final drive never gained traction. A sack by Aden Reeder, tight coverage from Clapper and Reilly, and relentless pressure shut the door. A Moeller heave on third down fell incomplete, and as the clock hit zeros, the Bombers reigned victorious.
A Gritty, Signature Bombers Win
Three scoring drives of 70+ yards.
A blocked field goal.
A 92-yard game-winning march.
And a defense that got stronger as the night went on.
On a night where every inch mattered, St. Xavier earned all of them.
Final: St. Xavier 17, Moeller 13.
