Moeller's Marcus Blanks | ZOOM |

        If someone watching the football game films of No. 2 Moeller and No. 3 Elder didn't know which team was which, it would be tough to tell them apart.

        The similarities of these Greater Catholic League and state powers are many, and Friday's showdown at Galbreath Field may be another classic.

        For starters, both teams operate offensively out of the I-formation. Both the defenses switch between a 3-4 or 4-4.

        LaSalle coach Jim McQuaide, whose Lancers lost to Elder and Moeller the past two weeks, agreed to assess the game without picking a winner.

Elder's Kyle Koester | ZOOM |

        “Both teams have tremendous running backs,” McQuaide said. “(Marcus) Blanks (of Moeller) is shifty and more of a cutter. (Kyle) Koester (of Elder) is more powerful. They're neck-and-neck.”

        Koester's and Blanks' rushing and scoring statistics are close.

        Koester, a 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior, has rushed for 883 yards on 144 carries in just five games and scored 10 TDs. Blanks, a 5-10, 180-pound senior, has 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns in six games.

        McQuaide said both teams' first-year quarterbacks are similar, too, and are protected by solid lines.

        “The offensive lines are big and strong,” he said. “Neither team has an advantage.”

        Moeller's Tony Cunningham, a 6-foot, 170-pound junior, has completed 54 of 90 passes for 682 yards and five TDs. He has been intercepted five times, three last week by St.Xavier.

        Elder counters with Matt Scholl, a 6-3, 180-pound senior, who has completed 53 of 92 passes for 709 yards in five games and five TDs. Scholl has been intercepted three times.

        “The receivers are also similar,” McQuaide said. “Moeller has (Ryan) Hamby (6-6, 230 pounds), who is tremendous. Elder also has a tall guy (Eric Renzenbrink, 6-5, 210 pounds) who's equally as impressive.”

        Hamby has caught 20 passes for 329 yards and four TDs. Renzenbrink has 19 receptions for 248 yards and one TD.

        Moeller will play for the third consecutive game without receiver Nick Dabbelt, a 5-10, 165-pound speedster, who's out with a shoulder separation.

        On defense, both teams have standout linebackers. Moeller looks to Matt DePetro (5-9, 200). P.J. Volker (6-1, 225) leads Elder.

        “Both team's defenses are structured around the middle linebacker,” McQuaide said. “DePetro and Volker are also good leaders.”

        McQuaide sees few differences in the secondaries.

        “Both teams have quick players who cover the pass well,” McQuaide said. “It would be hard to say who is better.”

        If the game comes down to kicking, Elder has the advantage in punting; Koester has averaged 41.2 yards on 11 kicks. Moeller is the clear-cut winner on field goals and conversions with Mike Murphy, a senior who's capable of 40-plus-yard field goals.

        “Both teams do a good job controlling the clock with their running games,” McQuaide said. “It should be a great game.”

        Galbreath Field seats 11,000, and a crowd of more than 12,000 is expected.

Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball

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