XENIA — After two big losses to Beavercreek and Kings in the first two weeks, things didn’t look much better Friday night against visiting Cincinnati Moeller. The Crusaders scored the first six touchdowns of the game on the way to a 42-12 victory over the Bucs at Doug Adams Stadium.
“You don’t have to watch very much film to know what you’re getting ready for and know you’re pushing a rock up a hill,” said Xenia coach Bob DeLong. “We knew this was going to be tough, but I thought our kids did a great job. We had a great week of practice, and I thought as the night went on we played faster. Our kids played four quarters. Even though they had a running clock in the second half, we played hard in the second half.”
After losing its starter in the opener and backup quarterback Evan Ernst in a game against Wayne last week, Moeller had to start third-string quarterback, junior Pete Lampert. That didn’t seem to matter much, as Lampert finished the game with four passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. By halftime he had 111 yards passing on 6-for-8 throws. He also had 46 yards running on four attempts.
The running attack was working early for the Crusaders. Hunter Hughes ran the ball in from 15 yards out for the first touchdown of the game. He had 109 yards on the ground in the first quarter on 12 attempts. Colin Thurman played the rest of the game. He had 49 yards rushing at the half on 11 attempts.
In the second half, Xenia took advantage of Moeller’s second unit. With 7:02 remaining in the third quarter, Ryan Hudson stripped sophomore quarterback Sam Wyche of the ball and returned it for a touchdown.
DeLong said he was proud that his team didn’t quit.
“There will be a game somewhere down the road where that will pay off. We’ve got to focus on our own problems, and I feel like we did that this week and that’s a step in the right direction.”
Xenia scored again, moving 80 yards on two plays. Quarterback Danny Naylor connected with Ray James on a 40-yard bomb that got the Bucs to the Moeller 40-yard line. Naylor then found James in the middle of the field, who turned a 10-yard pass into a 40-yard touchdown.
Naylor had 52 yards through the air at the half, and finished with 138. Ray James, who was felt sick while playing int he first half, finished with 124 yards receiving.
“They’re so resilient. I thought they came out this week and showed it. They came to work. They packed their lunch on Monday,” said DeLong about his team. “A lot of teams, man, you get two beatdowns and they would give up. I still like these kids and these coaches. I think we’re going to be alright.”
Xenia plays Butler at 7 p.m. next Friday at Doug Adams Stadium.
Score by Quarters
Moeller 28 14 0 0 — 42
Xenia 0 0 6 6 — 12
Scoring
M — Hunter Hughes 15 run. Matt Coghlin kick.
M — Jake Hausmann 6 pass from Pete Lampert. Coghlin kick.
M — Kyle Butz 74 pass from Lampert. Coghlin kick.
M — Hausmann 8 pass from Lampert. Coghlin kick.
M — Lampert 31 run. Coghlin kick.
M — Jack McCracken 16 pass from Lampert. Coghlin kick.
X — Ryan Hudson 10 fumble return. Blake Bond kick miss.
X — Ray James 40 pass from Danny Naylor. Bond kick miss.
Records: Moeller (2-1), Xenia (0-3)
