As the St. Dominic Football Program enters its fourth game of the year, it’s clear the Crusaders are putting the work in with a 2-1 record. With such a rigorous schedule and so much time devoted to the team, many players continue to rise to the challenge and deliver on the field. One player that has certainly been putting in overtime is senior John Moeller.
Moeller, who is entering his third year with the team, has experienced exponential growth. Moeller appeared on the scene in his sophomore year, which was no easy task. Many members of the Crusader football team have been playing with St. Dominic since freshman year, sometimes even earlier as members of the Jr. Crusaders squad. Moeller knew he had his work cut out for him, but noted that his coaches and others around him set him on the right path.
“Earning a position isn’t easy to do in football, I started playing football my sophomore year and I had to get caught up. Our coaches stress heavily that positions must be earned, they won’t be given to you, they’re going to play the best people they see fit. Even then, earning my spot didn’t just come just through my work. This was with the help of coaches and players pushing me each day at practice.” Moeller said.
Moeller has been working hard to prove his place, and make it clear why he belongs ever since. Now playing both sides of the ball this year at right tackle for offense and defensive end on defense.
“Whether it’s giving their best effort in drills so we both can get better or pushing me harder to make every rep count and to do that rep with a purpose. It definitely wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t just me earning these positions, I got help from my teammates and coaches,” Moeller said.
Moeller has made himself a pillar among the Crusader linemen. When discussing Moeller’s role and the impact he’s had as a player, Coach Markway made it clear that the effort put in has been noticed.
“John is one that’s done a good job at leading by example. That linemen unit as a whole has gotten really close and all those seniors have been good at leading by example. Along with that John helped provide a bit of a blueprint for those younger guys and showed what you can do to earn that extra bit of success.” Markway said.
Having made the transition to football and doing so very successfully, Moeller has made many fond memories with the team. One memory Moeller was most fond of was the first game he played junior year, which was also his first game as a member of varsity. Moeller added that while the clock is winding down, there’s still plenty of room for improvement, and for many more memories to be made. The Crusader Nation at large can’t wait to see what the future holds for number 58 on the field and abroad.
