Olentangy Liberty’s Jake Struck dives over the pile to score the Patriots’ first touchdown in Friday’s 28-14 win over Moeller. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Sonny Fulks)
Olentangy Liberty’s defense turned in a brilliant performance to stymie high-powered Cincinnati Moeller, led by Mr. Football Matt Ponatoski, and the Patriots key offensive stars – quarterback Andrew Leonard, running back/receiver Jake Struck and receiver Christian Moulton – all delivered in the Patriots’ dominant win.
Canton, OH – Many of the statewide media covering the state high school football championships this weekend wondered aloud whether Olentangy Liberty had a chance against mighty Cincinnati Moeller in the Division I title game Friday. Some of the so-called experts tabbed the Crusaders two-to-three-touchdown favorites.
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“We try to stay away from all of that, but we saw some stuff on special media that gave us a little added motivation,” senior running back/receiver Jake Struck said.
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Patriots second-year head coach John Sansbury, a 2005 Liberty graduate and as long-time assistant under Steve Hale, refused to make much of the perceived underdog role or a particular awe of an ages-old power such as Moeller.
“We’re just about focusing on being the best we can be and playing our best football week in and week out, regardless of the opponent,” he said.
Well, the much-anticipated big-school heavyweight bout turned out to be a two-touchdown game after all but it was a determined, ferocious and well-balanced Liberty team taking home a well-earned 28-14 victory and the program’s first state championship trophy before a crowd of 4,814 at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium.
Fourth-ranked in the final Associated Press state poll, Liberty (14-2) thoroughly dominated the contest, outgaining Moeller 387-233 in total yardage while putting the shackles on ballyhooed Crusaders junior quarterback Matt Ponatoski, who just a day earlier earned the coveted Ohio Mr. Football Award as the state’s top player.
The defense never rested…sacking Moeller quarterback and Ohio’s Mr. Football, Matt Ponatoski.
“Our defensive staff had a great game plan,” Sansbury said. “We made them drive the ball, took away their big play opportunities and capitalized on their mistakes. It was maybe the most outstanding (defensive) game I’ve seen by one of our teams in all my years here.”
Coming off a 431-yard, six-touchdown game against Centerville in a state semifinal, Ponatoski completed 16 of 30 passes for just 112 yards. Linebacker Lincoln Gardner (nine tackles, two tackles for loss, fumble recovery), defensive back Tyler Thornton (eight tackles) and Luke Mulder (six tackles, forced fumble) and hard-hitting and disruptive defensive lineman Ryan Schapker were among the stars who shined the brightest.
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“We were hurt by a lot of self-inflicted wounds, but give them a lot of credit for forcing us into some of those,” Moeller coach Bert Bathiany said. “We were never able to get into any kind of rhythm. We’ve been able to create a lot of explosive plays and we were not a able to do that tonight.
Liberty’s Christian Moulton awaits the ball for his second touchdown in Friday’s Div. I Final win..
“They play a deep shell to take away the deep ball and make it hard to get guys open. Their front seven was getting a lot of pressure and their coverage guys were outstanding.”
The Patriots’ key offensive playmakers – quarterback Andrew Leonard, Struck and receiver Christian Moulton – had magnificent performances.
Leonard, a Mr. Football finalist, completed 17 of 23 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns – all to Moulton, who made eight receptions for 161 yards. The tough-as-nails Struck gained 99 yards on 17 carries with a TD and added four receptions for 74 yards.
“Our best guys made big plays when we needed them,” Sansbury said.
Liberty jumped to a 14-0 lead and appeared ready to make it a three-score game just before halftime. Sansbury eschewed an easy field goal to go for it on fourth-and-1. Struck fumbled fighting for yardage and the Crusaders’ Cooper Gearheart scooped up the ball and raced 80 yards to the end zone.
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Second-ranked Moeller (14-2) then came out with a strong drive to open the second half, but Mulder clobbered receiver Jovan Love and forced a fumble that Gardner recovered.
Liberty’s Jake Struck fights a Moeller defender for a catch and yards after catch during Friday’s Div. I Final win.
Two plays later, Leonard hit Moulton in stride on a 61-yard bomb down the seam. Later, he connected with Moulton on a 13-yard strike to give Liberty ample breathing room. The Patriots spent much of the fourth quarter milking the clock.
“It goes back to all the preparation we do during the week,” Moulton said.
From finishing 4-8 in a disappointing 2023 season to capturing the state championship would seem unfathomable, the seniors sensed something special was brewing over the summer and confidence only soared with big wins over the likes of defending state champion Cleveland Glenville, Gahanna and rival Olentangy Orange.
Liberty’s Christian Moulton gives the sign…his third touchdown and the OHSAA Division I title.
Liberty played one of the most ambitious schedules in the state while gaining a three-way share of the rugged Ohio Capital Conference Division. But a 21-7 state semifinal win over three-timer defending state champion Lakewood St. Edward merely set the stage for Friday’s perceived upset of another Ohio blue-blood in nine-time state champion Moeller. Few thought they could do it except for the Liberty players and coaches.
“Coach Sansbury teaches as positive leadership class at school and he lives it,” Leonard said.
Added linebacker Austin Stamp, “He never lets us get too high or low.”
Sansbury might need to make an exception, at least through the championship parade.
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