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.
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