Archbishop Moeller’s defense took control early and never let go Friday night, shutting down Winton Woods 24-7 in a Division I, Region 4 regional quarterfinal. The Crusaders built a 14-0 lead before Winton Woods could get its offense going, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Week 12 roundup.
Moeller’s big-play passing game set the tone. Sophomore tight end Jayden Davis hauled in a 53-yard screen pass to set up a touchdown run by Juice Glover-Brown, and Davis caught a seven-yard touchdown of his own in the second half, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Winton Woods’ only touchdown came on a 33-yard pass to Quinton Simms, and a 46-yard completion to Greg Lawrence was one of just two big gains the Warriors managed in the first half, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The Crusaders did not allow a run-play first down until the second quarter.
The win continues a familiar postseason pattern for Moeller, which the Enquirer noted turns to its defense when the playoffs arrive. After an up-and-down start to the season that included a Week 1 loss to Princeton, the Crusaders have leaned on that defense through the first two rounds of the Region 4 tournament.
Winton Woods’ season ends with the loss, while Moeller advances with a chance to avenge one of its regular-season defeats.
That chance comes quickly. Moeller will visit top-seeded Princeton in the Region 4 semifinal on Friday, Nov. 13, at Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s projected Week 13 matchups.
Princeton beat Middletown 27-6 on Friday and won the teams’ Week 1 meeting 31-24 at Paycor Stadium, a game in which the Enquirer reported Princeton’s Jordan Hall ran for 91 yards and three touchdowns and caught an 88-yard touchdown pass. The semifinal winner advances to the Region 4 final on Nov. 20.