At the time of his selection, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior quarterback had led the Crusaders to a 14-1 record and a berth in the Division I state championship game. Ponatoski passed for 4,085 yards and 56 touchdowns against just three interceptions in 15 games, including 12 games with at least three TD tosses. A two-time Greater Catholic League First-Team honoree, he is also a nationally ranked shortstop for the Moeller baseball team.
Ponatoski has maintained a weighted 4.21 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.
A tour guide for prospective students at his school, Ponatoski has volunteered locally as a Victory Day Counselor, working with children with special needs. He has also donated his time as a youth baseball hitting coach and as a youth football referee.
