The team that can most effectively slow down its opponent’s dynamic offense will likely win the Division I, Region 4 final to be played Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.

No. 1 Colerain (12-0) will take on No. 3 Moeller (9-3) in a matchup of teams few others have been able keep from lighting up the scoreboard. The winner of Saturday’s game will play the winner of the Region 3 final between Pickerington North and Hilliard Davidson in the state semifinals Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at a neutral site.

Moeller can win its 14th regional title and its first since 1997. Colerain’s last Region 4 championship came in 2006.

Colerain has scored at least 28 points in every game it has played this season and has not tallied less than 35 since a 28-21 win at Sycamore Sept. 21. During the playoffs, the Cardinals have beaten St. Xavier 35-14 and Elder 35-34 in overtime – two teams that beat Moeller this season – and have amassed 850 total yards in the process. 

“They are very diverse and athletic on offense,” Elder coach Doug Ramsey said.
Moeller has not scored less than 43 points in a game since a 17-13 loss to Elder Oct. 5 and the Crusaders have totaled 812 yards of offense in its two postseason wins. The Crusaders cruised past Huber Heights Wayne 43-21 and then rolled over Lakota East 46-20 last week.

“I know they’re really good,” Colerain coach Tom Bolden said. “It’s another explosive offense.”

The Crusaders have been rolling offensively since the loss to Elder with a 49-42 Week 9 loss to Lakewood St. Edward as the only blemish. Moeller upset Kentucky Class 6A No. 1 Louisville Trinity Week 10 45-42 and continued the surge into the postseason.

Senior running back Keith Watkins and a dominant offensive line make the Moeller hard to stop. Watkins has carried 222 times for 1,760 yards and 23 touchdowns.

“Keith is a great young man and is blessed with an unbelievable ability to carry the football,” Moeller offensive line coach J.D. Rosfeld said. “He is humble, hardworking, and thanks his o-line after every game.

“He just makes everyone play and coach better when he is on the field.”

Moeller can attack through the air as well. Senior quarterback Spencer Iacovone has completed 131 of 213 passes for 1,677 yards and 17 touchdowns to go with his 10 rushing touchdowns and 706 yards. Junior Gus Ragland has made 33 catches for 371 yards and five touchdowns and Watkins has added 30 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns. 

Bolden said the best defense is a tremendous offense after the Cards’ win over Elder, so Colerain will try to simply keep the Crusaders off the field with sustained drives. Bolden’s offense was able to hold the ball for 34:40 two weeks ago against St. Xavier and the Bombers simply could not get going offensively.

“Offensively, they do what they do from an option standpoint,” St. Xavier coach Steve Specht said. “They’ve got a physical offensive line and (Alfred) Ramsby does a great job. They can run some spread at you and he throws it well.”

Ramsby – perhaps the most multi-dimensional quarterback in a long line of excellence in that position at the school – has completed 72 of 136 passes for 1,535 yards with 15 touchdowns and has rushed for 1,432 yards on 169 carries and 18 more touchdowns. Senior running back Chris Davis is Ramsby’s top target in the passing game with 31 receptions for 588 yards and three touchdowns.

The Colerain running game is as powerful as ever with senior fullback Jackson Sorn racking up 741 yards and seven touchdowns, junior running back Detuan Smith adding 794 yards and eight touchdowns, and Davis adding 377 yards and seven touchdowns.

Moeller and Colerain have not played since the Cardinals claimed a 17-10 win Nov. 1, 2008, in a Region 4 quarterfinal at Colerain – the third straight year Moeller’s season was ended by Colerain in the playoffs. Moeller and Colerain also hooked up in the Region 4 final in 2004 when the Cardinals cruised to a 34-6 win on their way winning the school’s only state football title.