by Lakewood, OH: Zach Hackleman found the end zone four times, one rushing, one receiving, and two punt return touchdowns, as the St. Edward Eagles (8-1) took down Archbishop Moeller (6-3) in convincing fashion, 35-10. The senior wideout’s biggest highlight of the game was a 92-yard punt return that put the Eagles up 21-0 in the first. Tyler Josleyn led the way for the Crusaders with 111 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
First Half
St. Edward received the opening kickoff and wasted no time working their way down the field. The first four plays were handoffs to Brandon White, who picked up 53 yards on the drive. On the fifth play, Zach Hackleman took the reverse 16 yards into the end zone to put the Eagles up 7-0.
Backed up in their own end midway through the first, Moeller was forced to punt. As the ball bounced around on the turf, Hackleman scooped it and took it to the house, extending the St. Edward lead to 14-0. Moeller punted on their next drive and, in the words of the great Yogi Berra, experienced “deja vu all over again. Fielding the punt at his own eight, Hackleman raced down the field 92 yards to extend the lead to 21-0 late in the first.
When they needed it most, the Moeller offense started to click. The Crusaders worked their way down to the 12-yard line, but the offense stalled and they settled for a 29-yard field goal to make it 21-3. On the ensuing Ed’s possession, the offense orchestrated a 10-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a 24-yard completion from Jonny Evanchick to Hackleman that made it 28-3 Eagles.
Each team would have one more shot with the ball, but neither could convert it into any points. When the halftime whistle sounded, St. Edward held a 28-3 lead.
Second Half
Moeller would receive the second half kickoff, and it looked like they finally found their groove, moving into Eagles’ territory. As Matt Ponatoski dropped back to pass, he was hit and the ball came loose. Collin Crocker scooped up the loose ball and raced over 60 yards to the end zone, extending the lead to 35-3 and initiating a running clock.
With no stopping the clock, the third quarter went by in the blink of an eye. At the end of the third, St. Edward held a 35-3 lead. The Eagles would work their way into Moeller territory, but an incomplete pass on fourth down gave the ball back to the Crusaders. On third down, Tyler Josleyn took the handoff up the middle for a 70-yard touchdown. The extra point sailed through the uprights, drawing Moeller closer at 35-10.
The Crusaders would take their last possession into Eagles’ territory, but they ran out of time. When all was said and done, St. Edward came away with a convincing 35-10 victory.
Keys to the Game
Zach Hackleman scored four times, and the St. Edward defense put up a dominating performance. Against one of the best quarterbacks in the state, the Eagles held Ponatoski to 8-22 for just 83 yards. Meanwhile, Jonny Evanchick finished 8-9 for 88 yards and a touchdown. The game was a statement win for St. Edward, reminding everyone why the remain one of the top teams in the state every single season.
Top Performers
Archbishop Moeller Crusaders
Tyler Josleyn: 12 carries 111 yards TD
Reggie Watson: 3 catches 48 yards
St. Edward Eagles
Zach Hackleman: 4 catches 69 yards TD 3 punt returns 150 yards 2 TD
Brandon White: 14 carries 59 yards 2 catches 14 yards
Jonny Evanchick: 8-9 88 yards TD 7 carries 49 yards
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
St. Edward 10:00- Zach Hackleman, 16-yard run (kick good)
St. Edward 5:25- Zach Hackleman, 47-yard punt return (kick good)
St. Edward 2:34- Zach Hackleman, 92-yard punt return (kick good)
2nd Quarter
Moeller 8:17- Jack Mallabar, 29-yard field goal
St. Edward 3:51- Jonny Evanchick to Zach Hackleman, 24 yards (kick good)
3rd Quarter
St. Edward 8:56- Collin Crocker, 59-yard fumble recovery (kick good)
4th Quarter
Moeller 4:00- Tyler Josleyn, 70-yard run (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Moeller | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| St. Edward | 21 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
