Moeller QB wins coveted award

Submitted information

COLUMBUS — Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller junior quarterback Matt Ponatoski has been named Ohio Mr. Football by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. He is the 38th winner of the prestigious award and the second in a row for Archbishop Moeller. Running back Jordan Marshall won the award last year.

Ponatoski, 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, totaled 70 points in the statewide voting by OPSMA members. He will lead Moeller into the Division I state championship game Friday night against Powell Olentangy Liberty at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

Last month, Ponatoski was named the Southwest District Division I Offensive Player of the Year and the GCL Offensive Player of the Year. He has already set Moeller career records for passing yards and touchdown passes.

Bellefontaine senior quarterback Tavien St. Clair was the runner-up with 60 points. Ontario senior quarterback Bodpegn Miller was third with 57 points. Additional finalists included Mentor senior quarterback Scotty Fox, Avon senior quarterback Nolan Good, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley junior running back Grady Kinsey, Powell Olentangy Liberty senior quarterback Andrew Leonard, and Cuyahoga Walsh Jesuit senior quarterback Keller Moten.

The Ohio Mr. Football Award was given by the Associated Press from 1987-2016. It has been given by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association since 2017.

The All-Ohio teams will be announced beginning Monday.