Miles to go before Moeller football sleeps

KENWOOD -  As a sophomore, Miles McBride completed his first five passes last season for the Moeller High School football team. Eventually, that led to a starting assignment last September against La Salle.

Unfortunately for the Crusaders, the Lancers were on their game that night and beat Moeller with a running clock 55-14. McBride did complete 9-of-16 passes, but La Salle picked him off twice and he fumbled once.

One year later, the one they call "Deuce" (he wears No. 2) is the league's top passer based on numbers prior to the Friday Sept. 22 games. That's saying something in a league that features Wisconsin-bound Chase Wolf of St. Xavier, Danny Nieman of Elder and La Salle's Griffin Merritt who lit Moeller up for 388 yards last year.

More:St. Xavier, La Salle tops in state football computer rankings

"I really just tried to learn from what I did wrong at the time," McBride says of his sophomore-to-junior improvement. "I was a little young and kind of nervous. Coach Rodey (Rodenberg) helps me out with being patient with the whole process."

His efficiency has been remarkable. He was 11-for-12 with four touchdowns against Hamilton, 21-for-31 for three against Louisville Trinity, 14-of-18 for four against Scott County (KY) and 9-of-11 for five scores against Lafayette. Making the numbers all more amazing is two of the games featured running clocks, which obviously curtailed the passing stats.

"The big thing with Miles is getting better," Moeller coach John Rodenberg said. "I don't care who we're playing, just as long as he's getting better. He is. He's continuing to get better and he's going to be a good quarterback."

The school record for touchdown passes in a game is six by Thomas MacVittie against Cleveland St. Ignatius in 2015. The season record dates back to 1984 when McBride's father, Walt, was popping in points for the Xavier Musketeers basketball team. Moeller's Mark Kamphaus tallied 27 scoring tosses that season. Through four games, Miles McBride has 16.

"I'm not really worried about all of the records," McBride said. "I'm trying to come out here and win."

All things considered, McBride has made notable progress considering he didn't play the quarterback position until junior high. Prior to that, he played running back.

Throwing is not the only talent Miles McBride has. As you might imagine, he's a top-notch basketball player for coach Carl Kremer's Crusaders. He started last season as a sophomore averaging nearly 11 points a game on a balanced ball-control squad.

Having grown three inches, he's accumulated more basketball offers than football, but the process becomes more interesting with each touchdown toss.

"I don't know yet," McBride answers truthfully when asked which direction he's leaning. "I'm trying to be patient with the whole process. I have no clue what I'm going to do as of now."

Though it's early, McBride does have a pinned Tweet on his Twitter account with the University of Cincinnati expressing initial interest in him.

Either way, "Deuce" just completed a busy summer. June is typically a "team" month for high schools where they can compete in unofficial games around town or in other areas. It's also a big football conditioning month but, frankly, which month isn't in the mind of a driven coach? 

"If I wasn't playing basketball, I was working out for football with those guys," McBride said. "I was in the weight room all the time.'

His parents also stay on him about academics, which often is a tiebreaker in recruiting decisions. His basketball and analytical talents have also served him well on the gridiron.

"It really translates a lot, point guard-quarterback," McBride said. "Reading the defense, making quick decisions, it translates easy."

After their showdown with St. Xavier at Lockland's Roettger Stadium Sept. 22, the Crusaders are right back into the frying pan with La Salle at home Sept. 29. The following Friday it's Elder at The Pit Oct. 6.