Cincinnati, Ohio - The Elder High School football team made history Friday evening at The Pit, closing out a perfect regular season and sending their seniors off in style. Quarterback Kaden Estep accounted for a touchdown through the air, and senior running back Tommy Becker put the game on ice with four scores on the ground as Elder rolled past De La Salle Collegiate (MI), 35-7, to finish its regular season 10-0 for the first time since 1991.
It was Senior Night in Price Hill, and the Panthers rewarded the home fans with a complete, business-like performance that reflected the disciplined, well-rounded team Head Coach Doug Ramsey and his staff have molded over the two-plus months of a demanding schedule. Elder has weathered trips to Louisville, Indianapolis, and GCL heavyweights to reach this moment, outscoring foes 265-114 over the regular campaign.
A slow start turns into a familiar rhythm
The Pit crowd arrived early for a rare 6:30 p.m. kickoff and watched the teams trade early defensive stops. De La Salle, nicknamed the Pilots, showed flashes of athleticism behind sophomore quarterback Grayson Thurston and running back Micah Walker. But the Pilots' promising opening possession ended when linebacker Derek Uran stripped a ball carrier and pounced on the fumble at midfield.
That takeaway set the tone. Elder's offense, which had put up back-to-back 200-plus-yard rushing weeks, went right to the ground game. Behind seniors Carson Kafel, Tyrell Scott, and Caleb Broxterman on the left side of the line, Becker and Estep mashed out yardage until Becker darted seven yards for the opening score late in the first quarter.
Although De La Salle's front held firm early, the Pilots' four-and-a-half-hour bus trip began to show, and Elder's balance took control. By halftime, the Panthers had racked up nearly 200 total yards and every phase-offense, defense, and special teams-had contributed directly to the scoreboard.
Second-quarter surge
Once the rhythm developed, the game unfolded like so many Elder wins this fall: a defensive stop, a patient drive, and a dagger from Estep. With 7:29 remaining before the break, the junior quarterback looked off coverage and lofted a perfect fade to senior receiver Jackson Ruth for a 15-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Ruth, who entered the night leading the GCL South in receptions and touchdowns, added 77 yards on four catches in the half and kept De La Salle's secondary scrambling all night.
Moments later, another Pilots mistake gave Elder a short field, and Becker made them pay. He powered through the interior for a three-yard score at 2:28 of the second quarter, then plunged in from the one with 1:10 left in the half. In less than seven minutes, the senior tailback had registered his third touchdown and delivered Elder a commanding 28-0 halftime cushion.
While the offense grabbed headlines, Elder's defense quietly strangled De La Salle's attack. Uran logged six tackles and a half sack; junior tackle Max Doogan added three tackles for loss; and sophomore linebackers Brody Turner (10 tackles) and Pete Fortkamp (5) showcased how bright the unit's future will be.
De La Salle's only big play of the half was a 43-yard pass to receiver Gavin Bach, but that drive ended with consecutive sacks from Doogan, Uran, and Fortkamp that pushed the Pilots into a fourth-and-48-an almost comical snapshot of Elder's defensive control.
Becker closes the door
Any lingering doubt vanished on the Panthers' first march after intermission. Estep and Becker alternated carries, chewing up 61 yards in six plays. On his eighth touch of the drive, Becker bounced off left tackle, cut to daylight, and rumbled 16 yards for his fourth touchdown of the evening. With senior Adam Re drilling the extra point, Elder led 35-0 less than four minutes into the third quarter.
Under Ohio's point-spread rule, the running clock kicked in, and Ramsey began substituting liberally. Long-snapper-turned-quarterback Kenny Baker, tailbacks Andrew Tallen and Gaveay Craig, and defensive reserves such as AJ Meyer and Patrick Spinney all saw extended snaps. The coaches made sure every available senior appeared under the Friday-night lights one last regular-season time; it was that kind of celebratory night at the corner of Vincent and Regina.
De La Salle finally avoided the shutout with 1:28 to play when backup quarterback Jake Jablonski connected on an 18-yard touchdown pass to receiver Art Mosheris, setting the final count at 35-7, but by then the milestones were already secured.
The numbers behind 10-0
Elder finished with 306 total yards (174 rushing, 132 passing) despite playing most of the second half with reserves. Becker's 17 carries yielded 131 yards (7.7 avg.) and the four touchdowns-to date, 14 for the season. Estep completed 8-of-13 throws for 132 yards and a touchdown while adding 45 rushing yards of his own.
Ruth caught four balls for 77 yards and the score.
Defensively, Turner's 10 tackles led the effort, while Uran reached 18 tackles-for-loss on the season-an astonishing pace. Freshman-turned-sophomore contributors such as Fortkamp and Turner are already household names to GCL followers.
The four-touchdown outing marked Becker's second such performance this month; he now leads all GCL South rushers in scoring while ranking among the top yard-producers in Southwest Ohio. His punishing style and patience behind an ever-improving offensive line have offered the perfect complement to Estep's dual-threat wizardry.
What's next: a well-earned breather
For the Panthers, the regular-season story ends but the journey extends into November. Under the OHSAA's updated format, Elder-ranked first in Division I, Region 4-earns a first-round bye next week. The time off provides a rare chance for recovery from the grind of ten consecutive Fridays.
Earlier in the week, Ramsey mentioned that while he initially wasn't excited about the bye, the timing ultimately proved beneficial. The staff views it as a chance to recover, reset, and prepare for the postseason with renewed focus.
Elder will host a regional quarterfinal on Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m. at the Pit against an opponent to be determined after next week's opening playoff round. The Panthers will enter the bracket as the overall No. 1 seed, ensuring home-field advantage through at least two playoff rounds.
Final Score: Elder 35, De La Salle ( MI ) 7
Record: Elder 10-0 ( GCL South Champions )
Next Game: Friday, November 7 - OHSAA Division I Region 4 Quarterfinal, Opponent TBD, at The Pit, 7 p.m.
Byline: Prep Sports Radio Network - Elder Game Report
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