Congrats to our All-GCL Football players! Player of the Year: Kaden Estep Offensive Player of the Year: Andrew Lyman Linebacker of the Year: Pete Fortkamp First Team: Nick Cassaro Kaden Estep Andrew Lyman Chase Walpole Caleb Curry Max Doogan Pete Fortkamp Second Team: Jake Bier Cory Bohan Drew Wauligman Major Kittles Brayden Tepe  [Read More]

Congrats to our All-GCL Football players! Player of the Year: Kaden Estep Offensive Player of the Year: Andrew Lyman Linebacker of the Year: Pete Fortkamp First Team: Nick Cassaro Kaden Estep Andrew Lyman Chase Walpole Caleb Curry Max Doogan Pete Fortkamp Second Team: Jake Bier Cory Bohan Drew Wauligman Major Kittles Brayden Tepe  [Read More]

Elder Football finished the 2026 regular season ranked #2 in Division 1 Region 4 and earned a first round bye. The Panthers will host the winner of #7 Springboro vs. #10 Little Miami on Friday, November 6 at 7:00 PM in historic Elder Stadium. Further game details, including ticket information, will be announced next week.  [Read More]

PRICE HILL - Kaden Estep added his name to the top of Elder High School's record book Friday night, becoming the program's career passing leader while throwing five touchdown passes in the Panthers' 52-6 victory over Mt. Zion Prep at The Pit. Estep completed 11 of 14 passes for 220 yards, helping Elder build a 45-6 halftime advantage in its regular-season finale. In the first half, Estep threw touchdowns to four different receivers. The victory completed an 8-2 regular season for Elder, which bounced back from consecutive Greater Catholic League South losses to St. Xavier and Moeller by winning its final three games. The Panthers defeated Highlands, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard and Mt. Zion Prep during that closing stretch. Elder will have a first-round playoff bye next week. The Panthers are expected to receive the No. 2 seed in Division I, Region 4 and return to action at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at The Pit against an opponent to be determined. Friday's game gave Elder's seniors a chance to celebrate one final regular-season victory at home, but the night's biggest individual milestone belonged to Estep. He entered the game needing 67 yards to pass former Elder quarterback Peyton Ramsey for the program's career record. The senior needed just two completions to get there. After Elder's defense forced a three-and-out on Mt. Zion's opening possession, the Panthers took over at their 34-yard line. Estep opened Elder's first series with a nine-yard run, and Andrew Tallen moved the chains on the following play. Estep then found senior receiver Andrew Lyman over the middle. Lyman broke multiple tackles and sprinted down the sideline for a 55-yard touchdown. Tyler Homan made the extra point, giving Elder a 7-0 lead with 8:43 remaining in the opening quarter. The Panthers quickly got the ball back when Mt. Zion quarterback Emile Lockhart mishandled a snap. Elder junior linebacker Sam Parton recovered at the Warriors' 15-yard line. Two plays later, Estep connected with junior receiver Jake Bier for a 13-yard touchdown. The completion pushed Estep past Ramsey and made him Elder's career passing leader. Estep finished the night with 53 career touchdown passes, leaving him three behind Mark Miller's school record of 56. Elder's playoff run will give Estep an opportunity to pursue that mark as well. Mt. Zion fumbled again on the kickoff following Bier's touchdown, and junior linebacker Brody Turner secured Elder's second takeaway. The Panthers could not capitalize on that possession, however, as Tallen fumbled near the goal line and Mt. Zion recovered at its 2. Elder's defense forced another punt, and Estep soon delivered his third touchdown pass of the quarter. After extending the play by moving to his right, he found senior Drew Wauligman near the sideline in the end zone. Homan's third extra point made it 21-0 with 5:25 left in the first quarter. Estep's ability to spread the football around continued early in the second. Facing fourth-and-goal, Estep rolled right and found senior receiver Chase Walpole in the back of the end zone. The four-yard touchdown pass, Estep's fourth of the night, increased the advantage to 28-0. Mt. Zion put together its best series of the game on the next possession. Lockhart connected with Jaleel Anderson for a long gain into Elder territory, then found Alonzo Reeder for a 20-yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone. The Warriors' two-point pass was incomplete, leaving Elder ahead 28-6 with 8:58 remaining in the half. Elder nearly answered immediately. Estep found Lyman deep for what appeared likely to become a 63-yard touchdown, but Lyman was hit from behind just before crossing the goal line. The ball went through the end zone, giving Mt. Zion a touchback. It was one of the few mistakes in an otherwise dominant half for the Panthers. Elder's defense quickly forced another punt, and Andrew Paff gave the offense excellent field position with one of his several productive punt returns. The Panthers drove inside the Mt. Zion 10 before settling for Homan's 21-yard field goal, his fourth consecutive successful field-goal attempt, to extend the lead to 31-6. Tallen added a five-yard touchdown run out of a direct-snap formation with 1:21 left in the half. Senior Josh Menner kicked the extra point for a 38-6 advantage. The Panthers were not finished. Mt. Zion turned the ball over on downs at its 24 with nine seconds remaining, giving Estep one last chance before halftime. He took advantage, finding Walpole for a 24-yard touchdown as time nearly expired. The scoring play was Estep's fifth touchdown pass of the half. Walpole finished with two touchdown receptions, while Lyman, Bier and Wauligman each caught one. One of the night's loudest celebrations followed the fifth touchdown. Senior Roni Aguilar came on to kick the extra point and split the uprights, drawing an enthusiastic response from Elder's players and fans. Teammates surrounded Aguilar on the sideline after his successful kick, providing a memorable Senior Night moment and giving Elder a 45-6 halftime lead. With the Panthers comfortably ahead, the second half was played with a running clock and provided Elder's younger players and reserves an extended opportunity. Sophomore quarterback Luca Thompson directed a 16-play, 70-yard drive that consumed the entire third quarter and the opening seconds of the fourth. Thompson completed all three of his passes for 27 yards and added several productive runs, including an eight-yard conversion on fourth down. Sophomore running back Kam Bedel capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Senior Danny Mendez kicked the extra point for the final points of the night. Bedel carried much of the workload during the drive, while Jude Kipp and Brent Raterman caught passes from Thompson. Anthony Mulvaney also received late carries as Elder emptied its bench and allowed numerous seniors to take the field in the final regular-season home game of their careers. Elder's defense held Mt. Zion scoreless in three of the four quarters and limited the Warriors to 125 total yards. Parton and Turner recovered first-quarter fumbles, while the Panthers also turned Mt. Zion away twice on downs. Pete Fortkamp was again active in the middle of the defense, and Major Kittles and Brayden Tepe helped produce a late first-half sack. Seniors such as Paff, Max Doogan, Aj Meyer, Tannar Carmen, Wyatt Olthaus, Ben Ruoff, Kyle Bien and Joey Starkey also contributed during the victory. Special teams played an important role throughout the night. Aidan Brogan repeatedly sent kickoffs into the end zone, Paff produced strong returns, and four Elder kickers scored. Homan converted four extra points and his field goal, while Menner, Aguilar and Mendez each made an extra point. The Panthers' 52 points were their second-highest total of the season, trailing only the 56 scored in the Week 2 victory at Covington Catholic. Elder finished the regular season averaging 36.9 points and allowed 15.0 per game. More importantly, the Panthers enter the postseason with momentum, a healthy Estep and home-field advantage for their first playoff game. Elder will be off Oct. 30 because of its first-round bye. The Panthers will use the break to recover from the regular season before returning to The Pit on Nov. 6 for the second round of the Division I playoffs.  [Read More]

PRICE HILL - Elder High School senior quarterback Kaden Estep accounted for four touchdowns Friday night as the Panthers earned an important 31-21 victory over Indianapolis Bishop Chatard at The Pit. Estep ran for three touchdowns and connected with senior wide receiver Chase Walpole for another, helping Elder improve to 7-2 with its second consecutive victory. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 202 yards and added 75 rushing yards. Elder led 21-14 at halftime and scored all 10 points in the third quarter to build a 17-point advantage. Chatard pulled within 10 early in the fourth, but junior defensive back Caleb Curry intercepted Harrison Odom in the red zone with 2:32 remaining to help the Panthers extinguish the Trojans' final threat. The victory was a significant one for Elder's postseason position. A loss could have dropped the Panthers out of the top four in their region, but beating a Chatard team that arrived in Cincinnati with a 7-1 record strengthened Elder's pursuit of a first-round bye and potentially two home playoff games. Chatard, a traditionally physical program, showed why it has regularly been a valuable late-season opponent for the Panthers. The Trojans ran the ball effectively in the first half, sustained several long drives and answered Elder's first two touchdowns. Elder's offense, however, answered every time it needed to. Elder travels 90 yards on opening possession Chatard received the opening kickoff and moved from its 34-yard line into Elder territory. The Trojans converted two third downs on the possession, but Elder's defense eventually forced a punt. That left the Panthers starting their opening series at their own 10. It did not take long for Elder to escape the difficult field position. After senior running back Andrew Tallen picked up eight yards, Estep broke loose on a long quarterback run that moved the ball into Chatard territory. Estep later connected with Walpole for 28 yards on third-and-six, placing Elder inside the Trojans' 15. Junior Jake Bier added an eight-yard reception, and Estep finished the eight-play, 90-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Senior Tyler Homan made the extra point, giving Elder a 7-0 lead with 3:33 left in the first quarter. Chatard responded with a methodical drive of its own. Odom completed passes to Cam Harden and Julio Graves, while running back Danny Adams kept the Panthers occupied on the ground. After a penalty pushed the Trojans backward early in the second quarter, Odom found Graves for a touchdown in the right corner of the end zone. The extra point tied the game at 7 with 11:21 remaining in the half. Elder immediately answered. Estep completed an 18-yard pass to senior Andrew Lyman and then escaped what appeared to be two certain sacks on a third-and-10 play. Keeping his eyes downfield, Estep found Lyman for another first down. Later in the drive, Estep hit Walpole for 14 yards and found Bier for a 20-yard gain on third-and-eight. On third-and-goal from the 3, Estep connected with Walpole in the middle of the end zone. Homan's extra point put Elder back in front, 14-7, following a 13-play, 73-yard drive. Chatard again responded behind Adams. The senior running back produced several tough runs, including an 18-yard gain into the Elder red zone. His nine-yard touchdown run tied the game at 14 with 1:01 left in the half. Instead of settling for a halftime tie, Elder's offense delivered one of the night's defining possessions. Senior Drew Wauligman gave the Panthers useful field position with a strong kickoff return. A Chatard penalty and an Estep completion to Walpole moved Elder to the Trojans' 13 with time still available. From there, Estep took off, changed direction near the goal line and completed a 13-yard touchdown run with 17 seconds left. Homan's third extra point made it 21-14 at halftime. The Panthers had scored in only 35 seconds. Panthers take control in third quarter Elder received the second-half kickoff and again put together an extended scoring drive. Tallen supplied one of his best runs of the night with an 11-yard gain. Estep then completed passes to sophomore tight end Jason Forte, Walpole and Bier as the Panthers advanced inside the Chatard 20. The drive stalled, but Homan came through with a 34-yard field goal. His kick had plenty of distance and increased Elder's lead to 24-14 with 8:34 left in the third quarter. It was Homan's third successful field goal over a two-game span, including his game-winning kick in Elder's 30-27 victory at Highlands the previous week. The Panthers' defense then forced Chatard's only three-and-out of the game. Senior Andrew Paff tackled Adams short of the first-down marker on third-and-five, and Elder regained possession after a punt. Elder overcame a holding penalty that created third-and-17 when Estep connected with Walpole for 18 yards and a first down. A later facemask penalty against Chatard further extended the drive. Tallen converted another third down with a seven-yard run, and Estep followed with a 10-yard carry to the Chatard 6. Two plays later, the quarterback scored from 3 yards away. The 12-play, 62-yard drive consumed 5:14 and gave Elder a 31-14 advantage with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter. Tallen finished with 43 yards on 12 carries, giving the Panthers a needed complement to Estep and the passing attack. Walpole led Elder's receivers with six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Lyman made several important catches over the middle, while Bier contributed both as a receiver and runner despite being considered a game-time decision before kickoff. Curry's interception seals the victory Chatard did not go away. Odom completed passes to Harden and Graves as the Trojans marched 82 yards early in the fourth quarter. Adams finished the 10-play possession with a one-yard touchdown run, cutting Elder's lead to 31-21 with 8:31 remaining. The Trojans then attempted an onside kick. The ball briefly appeared available to Chatard, but senior defensive back AJ Meyer secured it for Elder. The Panthers went three-and-out, but their defense answered with one of its strongest series of the night. Junior linebacker Pete Fortkamp and Paff helped stop Adams on consecutive runs before Elder forced an incompletion on third down. Chatard elected to punt with just over six minutes remaining, and its defense forced another Elder punt to regain possession with 4:02 left. A pass-interference penalty against Elder extended the Trojans' final drive on fourth down. Odom then connected with Graves for a first down at the Panthers' 33. Chatard reached the Elder 28 before Odom tested Curry near the end zone. Curry stayed with the receiver, established position and intercepted the pass at the 10 before returning it to the 15. The turnover effectively secured the victory. Estep later converted a third down with his legs, allowing Elder to finish the game in victory formation. Fortkamp led the Panthers with nine tackles, raising his season total to 83, according to the broadcast. The junior linebacker was again one of Elder's most active defenders. Curry supplemented his late interception with several important plays in coverage and run support. Adams finished with more than 100 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns for Chatard, which fell to 7-2. Most of his production came during the first half. Elder's defense limited him to fewer than 20 rushing yards after halftime, according to the postgame broadcast. The game included nearly 130 combined penalty yards, with several pass-interference calls helping extend drives. Elder nevertheless finished five-for-five in red-zone scoring opportunities, producing four touchdowns and Homan's field goal. Estep's 202 passing yards also moved him within 67 yards of Peyton Ramsey's Elder career passing record. Ramsey, a former Elder and Indiana University quarterback, was in attendance at the Panthers' win over Highlands one week earlier. Estep's pursuit of every record available to him had his support. Regular-season finale awaits at The Pit Elder will close the regular season against Mt. Zion Prep of Maryland at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at The Pit. The Panthers can finish 8-2 and further strengthen their position for a first-round playoff bye. Other regional results and computer points will ultimately determine Elder's seed, but the victory over Chatard ensured the Panthers remained firmly in the race for the No. 2 spot and the possibility of two home postseason games.  [Read More]

PRICE HILL - The Elder High School football team continued its dominant start to the season Friday night, opening Greater Catholic League South play with a commanding defensive performance. Quarterback Kaden Estep accounted for 271 yards of offense and threw three touchdown passes as the Panthers defeated La Salle 35-0 at The Pit, improving to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the GCL South. Estep completed 8 of 9 passes for 161 yards while adding 110 rushing yards on 13 carries. His only incompletion came on a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half. The senior's performance, highlighted by a remarkable 72-yard touchdown pass to Chase Walpole. Elder complemented its efficient offense with its first shutout of the season. The Panthers held La Salle to 123 total yards, forced two turnovers and stopped the Lancers on 10 of their 14 third-down attempts. The result also gave Elder a running clock for the fourth consecutive week. The Panthers have outscored Middletown, Covington Catholic, East Central and La Salle by a combined 168-30. La Salle received the opening kickoff and briefly moved into Elder territory, aided by a Panthers penalty, before Tye Roden broke up a deep pass on third down. The Lancers punted and pinned Elder at its own 10-yard line, giving the Panthers a long field for their first possession. It did not matter. Elder marched 90 yards in 13 plays, taking 6:30 off the clock. Estep powered the drive with several designed runs, including a long gain on second-and-17 that moved the Panthers out of the shadow of their own end zone. The Panthers also mixed in carries by junior receiver Jake Bier and senior running back Andrew Tallen. Facing second-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Tallen took a direct snap, followed fullback Rocco Hockenberry to the left and fought his way across the goal line. Tyler Homan converted the extra point to put Elder ahead 7-0 with 54 seconds remaining in the first quarter. It was Tallen's sixth touchdown of the season. Elder's defense then forced another La Salle punt, and the Panthers took possession at their own 14. A holding penalty moved Elder back near its goal line, but Estep quickly erased the difficult down-and-distance situation. First, he completed a short pass to Bier. Estep then ran for a first down, escaping the congestion near the line of scrimmage and moving Elder out to the 28. Two plays later, Estep produced the game's signature moment. Rolling to his left, Estep looked through his early options before spotting Walpole crossing the field behind the secondary. Estep reset his body and delivered a deep throw across the field, hitting Walpole in stride. Walpole did the rest, racing into the end zone for a 72-yard touchdown that gave Elder a 14-0 advantage with 9:32 left in the second quarter. It was Walpole's second touchdown reception in as many weeks. Elder's defense soon created the game's first turnover. With La Salle facing third down in Elder territory, pressure from the Panthers forced quarterback Garrett Fraley to make a hurried throw. Senior defensive back AJ Meyer read the play, broke in front of the intended receiver and intercepted the pass near Elder's goal line. Meyer did more than end La Salle's scoring opportunity. He returned the interception 41 yards, taking the ball close to midfield and immediately putting Elder's offense in position to add to its lead. Estep found senior receiver Drew Wauligman for a 31-yard gain on the first play of the ensuing possession. Wauligman slipped behind the defense and secured Estep's pass at the La Salle 13. Three plays later, Estep rolled to his right and connected with Bier near the front corner of the end zone. Bier reached the ball across the goal line for a 9-yard touchdown, sending the Panthers into halftime with a 21-0 advantage. Elder scored touchdowns on all three of its meaningful first-half possessions. Estep was 6 of 7 for 136 yards and two scores at the break, with the lone incompletion coming on the final-play Hail Mary. Although the third quarter ended without a point, the Panthers maintained control. Elder punted on its opening series of the half, but the Lancers were initially backed up near their goal line. A penalty for contacting the punter extended La Salle's possession, and a later defensive penalty kept the drive alive again. The defense eventually ended the threat itself. Junior defensive lineman Patrick Spinney delivered the hit that knocked the ball loose from Fraley, and junior linebacker Brayden Tepe recovered the fumble at Elder's 46. It was Tepe's latest contribution to a defense on which he has consistently been one of the Panthers' leading tacklers. The ensuing drive carried into the fourth quarter, when Elder faced fourth-and-5 at the La Salle 19. Estep completed a short pass to Bier, who broke through multiple tackle attempts and powered into the end zone for his second touchdown reception of the night. The 19-yard score, followed by Homan's fourth extra point, extended Elder's lead to 28-0 with 10:26 remaining. Bier was one of the Panthers' most versatile contributors. He caught five passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns, carried the ball 10 times for 53 yards and added a long punt return that set up Elder's final touchdown. Following that return, Elder turned to its reserves and continued moving the ball on the ground. Sophomore running back Kam Bedel finished the short drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, his second score in as many weeks. Homan's extra point made it 35-0 with 5:13 remaining and activated the running clock. The Panthers totaled 361 yards on 43 offensive plays while averaging more than eight yards per snap. Walpole led Elder with 72 receiving yards on his touchdown catch, while Wauligman caught two passes for 35 yards. Tallen had 27 rushing yards and the game's opening touchdown. Elder's defense allowed only 54 passing yards in the first half and did not surrender a point despite La Salle possessing the ball for long stretches. The Lancers gained fewer than three yards per offensive play for the game. Pete Fortkamp led the Panthers with 10 tackles. Brody Turner and Tepe recorded seven tackles apiece, while Max Doogan finished with five tackles and 1½ sacks. Major Kittles also recorded a sack, and Spinney's forced fumble helped end La Salle's best sustained second-half possession. Elder's shutout was especially significant against a La Salle program that had given the Panthers difficulty in recent meetings. The teams had split their previous six matchups, and the Lancers were the last visiting team to defeat Elder at The Pit, doing so in 2024. Elder won last season's meeting 16-8 before producing a much more decisive result Friday. The Panthers will remain home next week to face Louisville St. Xavier. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at The Pit, with the pregame show beginning at 6:30. Louisville St. Xavier will enter the game following an open week. Elder defeated the Tigers 26-24 on the road last season, and the rematch begins another important stretch for the Panthers. Elder will host Cincinnati St. Xavier on Sept. 25 before traveling to Welcome Stadium in Dayton to play Moeller on Oct. 2.  [Read More]

PRICE HILL - Elder High School delivered its most complete performance of the young season Friday night, combining another efficient offensive effort with three defensive interceptions to defeat East Central 42-7 at The Pit. Senior quarterback Kaden Estep passed for 137 yards and a touchdown and added 112 yards and another score on the ground. Senior running back Andrew Tallen rushed for two touchdowns, while junior linebacker Brayden Tepe finished with 12 tackles and an interception to earn the broadcast's Cooper Electric Star of the Game honor. The Panthers scored touchdowns on six of their seven meaningful offensive possessions and improved to 3-0. They have won 13 consecutive regular-season games and have outscored their first three opponents this season 133-30. It was a dominant result against a quality East Central program that entered the game unbeaten after ending New Palestine's 29-game winning streak one week earlier. The Trojans have won multiple Indiana state championships and were expected to present Elder with its most physical test to date. Instead, the Panthers gradually took control in front of a packed crowd on a steamy night in Price Hill. The game-time temperature was approximately 91 degrees after a pregame storm added even more humidity to the conditions. Elder's offense accumulated 365 yards, including 228 on the ground, while the defense allowed only one score despite East Central holding the ball for nearly 28 minutes. East Central received the opening kickoff and immediately showed its intention to control the ball with a physical rushing attack. The Trojans moved from their 25-yard line into Elder territory, but Tepe, Pete Fortkamp and Tannar Carmen helped stop the drive near the Panthers' 40. Elder then drove 80 yards in nine plays for the game's first touchdown. Estep opened the possession with a 15-yard completion to senior Andrew Lyman. He later converted a fourth-and-short with his legs before finding senior Chase Walpole for a 21-yard touchdown. Lyman drew attention underneath on the scoring play, helping Walpole break open down the field. Senior Tyler Homan made the extra point, giving Elder a 7-0 advantage with 3:45 remaining in the first quarter. East Central responded by moving into scoring position, highlighted by a long third-down completion from quarterback Ben Bond to Parker Wegman. The Trojans reached Elder's 29-yard line and attempted a trick play, but Fortkamp read it perfectly and intercepted a pass from Bond. The junior linebacker returned the ball to Elder's 39, and the Panthers quickly turned the takeaway into another touchdown. Estep completed passes to senior Drew Wauligman, Walpole and Lyman as Elder moved methodically down the field. Junior Jake Bier finished the five-play, 61-yard drive by bursting through the right side for a nine-yard touchdown. Homan's extra point gave Elder a 14-0 lead with 10:12 left in the second quarter. East Central answered with its best possession of the night. The Trojans leaned heavily on senior running back Ryan Mingus, who repeatedly powered through contact. Mingus and Colton Bellman helped East Central cover 80 yards in 11 plays, taking 5:36 off the clock. Mingus completed the drive with a one-yard touchdown, pulling the Trojans within 14-7 with 4:36 remaining before halftime. The Panthers did not allow East Central to carry that momentum into the break. Starting at its 28, Elder converted a critical fourth-and-two near midfield when Estep scrambled for the necessary yardage. He then ripped off consecutive runs of 23 and 12 yards as the Panthers moved into the red zone. Tallen scored from six yards out, fighting through contact and reaching the end zone with 25 seconds left in the half. Homan's extra point sent Elder to the locker room with a 21-7 lead. Elder received the second-half kickoff and immediately extended its advantage. Tallen started the possession with an 18-yard run, and Estep followed with completions to Lyman and Wauligman. On third-and-three from the East Central 20, Estep kept the ball, spun away from multiple defenders and powered into the end zone for one of the game's most memorable plays. The seven-play, 73-yard drive gave Elder a 28-7 lead less than five minutes into the third quarter. Estep finished 13-of-15 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown. His 12 rushing attempts produced 112 yards and a score, giving him 249 total yards. He has now rushed for a touchdown in five consecutive games dating to last season. East Central continued to move the ball at times, but the Panthers repeatedly made drive-ending plays. The Trojans reached Elder's 37-yard line on their next possession before the Panthers brought pressure on fourth down and forced an incompletion. Elder was then forced to punt for the only time all night following a penalty, but its defense immediately got the ball back. Tepe dropped into coverage and intercepted Bond early in the fourth quarter, returning the ball deep into East Central territory. A pair of Trojan penalties helped Elder move to the 6-yard line, where Tallen scored his second touchdown of the game. Tallen finished with 77 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. East Central's next drive also ended with an interception. This time it was Carmen, who dropped into coverage and secured Bond's pass before returning it to the Trojans' side of midfield. After a long Tallen run and another East Central penalty, Elder's reserves entered the game. Sophomore running back Kam Bedel took advantage of the opportunity, scoring his first varsity touchdown on a 12-yard run with 6:06 remaining. Bedel rushed four times for 30 yards, giving Elder four different players with rushing touchdowns. Homan converted all six of his extra-point attempts. Lyman led Elder with five receptions for 37 yards despite receiving considerable attention from East Central's secondary. Walpole caught four passes for a team-high 59 yards and a touchdown, while Wauligman added four receptions for 41 yards. Although East Central finished with 183 rushing yards, the Trojans were held to 257 total yards and went scoreless after halftime. Their three interceptions belonged to Fortkamp, Tepe and Carmen. Tepe's 12-tackle performance led Elder's defense. Senior defensive lineman Max Doogan recorded nine tackles, junior linebacker Brody Turner had seven, and senior defensive back Andrew Paff added five. For Tepe, it was another outstanding performance in a strong start to the season. Through three games, the junior has recorded 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. The victory gave Elder a successful start to its two-year home-and-home series with East Central. The Panthers will make the return trip to St. Leon, Indiana, next season. Elder will remain at The Pit next Friday for its Greater Catholic League South opener against La Salle. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 11.  [Read More]