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Kentucky QB commit Matt Ponatoski letting it fly as Moeller (Ohio) maneuvers stout schedule

hunterby: Hunter Shelton09/18/25HunterShelton_
Matt Ponatoski copy 1.jpg

Archbishop Moeller has long been one of the perennial high school football programs in Ohio. That’s the case once again this fall.

The Crusaders are currently 3-1 this season. Leading the charge is one of the top senior quarterbacks in the nation: Matt Ponatoski.

Coming off a state championship game appearance in 2024, Ponatoski is used to lighting up defenses and dominating. Through four games this season, the Kentucky commit has completed 76 of 110 pass attempts, accumulated 864 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air and also has a rushing TD under his belt.

In a road win at Christ Presbyterian Academy (Tenn.) last week, the 6-foot-2 gunslinger hurled for 297 yards and four scores, completing 25 of his 31 attempts. The week prior in a win over Trinity, the top-ranked team in Kentucky, he threw for three touchdowns.

Last year, Ponatoski threw for over 4,000 yards and 56 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He continued to see his stock rise and landed an invite to the Elite 11 Finals this summer out in Los Angeles. A two-sport star, the blue-chipper was named the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year in both football and baseball — he’s also committed to play on the diamond in Lexington.

According to the Rivals300, which updated this week, Ponatoski is now the No. 110 recruit overall and No. 10 QB in the 2026 cycle. He has all the makings of someone who could make a real impact for both Kentucky football and baseball in due time.

His showing at the Elite 11 Finals led to Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power tabbing him as one of the 10 top performers at the illustrious event:

“Ponatoski looked like the most accurate Elite 11 Finalist throughout the week. The Cincinnati native was a smooth operator each day. He made drill work look easy, consistently delivering well-placed, catchable passes,” Power wrote. “Ponatoski carried that into Day 2, turning in one of the more impressive pro day showings while earning the highest score from the Elite 11 staff. The capped the week off with a solid showing in 7-on-7 that saw him throw three touchdowns. A dual sport star who doubles as a top baseball prospect, Ponatoski is an accurate, rhythm passer with natural timing and feel.”

He committed to Kentucky on July 6, choosing the Wildcats over Arkansas, Oregon and Alabama. He headlines the 15-man pledge list in Lexington that currently ranks No. 38 nationally, per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Moeller has played a rigorous schedule to date — its lone loss thus far was a 43-42 thriller against Mount Carmel, the top-ranked team in Illinois. The Crusaders, currently the No. 2 team in Ohio per the Massey Ratings, have another massive tilt on deck this Friday as they’ll host No. 2 St. Xavier in a classic Cincinnati showdown. The Massey Ratings predict a 35-19 win for the home team.

How to Follow Ohio High School Football

For Ohio high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Buckeye State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the state of Ohio.