CINCINNATI — It’s been a tough past few seasons for Archbishop Moeller’s football team, but after six years of not making the state semifinals, the Crusaders are back thanks in large part to the senior captains. 

​​​Moeller football has a long-standing tradition of excellence, but after it’s worst season ever just two years ago the Crusaders have completely turned it around. 

“We’ve had a rough past few years for Moeller football, and to be able to be on the upswing and then be able to say we’re kind of coming back is an honor to be a part of it," said Josh Kattus, a senior captain.

The upswing is thanks to the senior class and the captains, including Kattus, who two weeks ago suffered a season-ending injury.

“It’s definitely hard to cope with," he said. "As soon as the injury happened, I knew I was done, but I wasn’t so much upset with the pain. I was more upset with the fact that I knew this was my last time playing high school football.”

But Kattus is still just as much a part of this team as before.

The University of Kentucky commit is spending his time on the sidelines instead of in his pads, cheering on his teammates as best as he can.

“You build these emotional connection with these guys and you still have to be there for them," Kattus said. "As a captain, you’re supposed to still be there for your team.”

While Kattus and his fellow captains have been through a lot the last few years, Kattus said it’s been an honor to get Moeller football back to all of it’s glory.

“We’ve been through the lowest of Moeller football, but we’ve gotten to grow up and see the highest of Moeller football and we know what it’s like," he said. "Freshman year we knew what we wanted to do senior year and it’s finally here.”