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]

Cincinnati - The Elder High School football team delivered one of the most unforgettable comebacks in the rich history of "The Pit," rallying from a 23-point third-quarter deficit to stun Princeton 32-30 Friday night in the Division I, Region 4 semifinals. For a program that has made tradition an art form, this one felt written straight into Elder folklore. A cold November playoff night turned into pure chaos, joy, and disbelief as the Panthers erased what once looked like an insurmountable hole, thanks largely to junior quarterback Kaden Estep's late-game heroics. A Night That Began All Wrong The game began about as poorly as anyone on the purple side of Price Hill could have imagined. Princeton came in 9-2 and athletically loaded, their defense built on speed and physicality, and in the early going, every bounce seemed to tilt red. Elder's opening series ended in a sack, and Princeton struck quickly. The Vikings' Andrew Wells returned a first-quarter punt deep into Elder territory, setting up an early touchdown. An additional field goal by kicker Nate Messer and an 11-yard run by Zion Satterwhite had the visitors up 17-0 at halftime. When Princeton's Antonio Thomas opened the third quarter with a stunning 73-yard kickoff return touchdown, stretching the lead to 23-0 only 11 seconds into the half, an uneasy hush fell over the home stands that minutes earlier had been deafening. The Panthers - a perfect 11-0 to that point - had not experienced a moment like this all season. Suddenly, they trailed by three scores with their entire season unraveling. The Spark That Changed Everything Elder head coach Doug Ramsey, now with more than two decades of purple-and-white playoff adrenaline in his veins, didn't panic. He leaned on his offensive line - Tyrell Scott, Caleb Broxterman, Nick Cassaro, Carson Kafel, and Aedan McKenna - and especially on his junior quarterback. With 7:53 left in the third quarter, Estep finally broke free. Just when Elder needed a reason to believe, he sprinted 44 yards for Elder's first touchdown. Senior tailback Tommy Becker powered through for a two-point conversion to make it 23-8. At last, the crowd had life. Momentum is a fickle thing, and on this chilly Cincinnati night, it changed sidelines violently. Late in the third, Estep engineered another drive, finishing it himself with an 11-yard scoring dash. Kicker Adam Re chipped in the extra point. What once looked hopeless was now a one-possession contest, 23-15, and the decibel level in the Pit rivaled any in recent memory. The Defense Finds Its Backbone While Estep grabbed the headlines, Elder's defense wrote its own redemption arc. Senior linebacker Derek Uran played everywhere - rushing, covering, even limping through cramps - to spark a group that had been gashed early. Sophomore linebacker Pete Fortkamp recovered a vital fumble to halt another Princeton drive, while Max Doogan and Jayven Hutchinson commanded the interior. They held Princeton to negative net yardage through much of the fourth quarter and completely erased the Vikings' ground game after halftime. Estep Puts on a Show Early in the fourth, trailing by eight, Elder marched 80 yards in blistering rhythm. Every snap featured Estep or Becker: the quarterback gliding on quarterback draws, the senior back hammering between the tackles. With 6:31 remaining, Estep made his third house call of the night, cutting left and diving into the end zone from nine yards out. Becker again converted the two-point run - his second of the game - knotting the score at 23-23. The improbable comeback felt complete. Yet, as Elder fans would quickly learn, the roller coaster wasn't done. The Gut-Punch and the Miracle Moments later, Princeton blocked a potential Elder field goal and returned it 71 yards for a touchdown. Wells, who had terrorized the Panthers all evening on kick returns, sprinted the other way to put the Vikings back ahead 30-23 with just over a minute remaining. The Pit fell silent again - temporarily. One play. That's all Estep needed to vaporize despair. On Elder's next snap from its own 25, Estep dropped back, saw senior receiver Jackson Ruth streaking downfield, and rifled a perfect spiral into stride. Ruth caught it at midfield and outraced everyone - a 75-yard lightning bolt that tied the game with 61 seconds left. Ruth later described the moment as surreal, noting that once he looked back and saw no defenders behind him, he just focused on reaching the end zone. Coach Ramsey, ever the gambler, opted for the go-ahead two-point conversion instead of the extra point. Becker appeared close, but Princeton's defensive front stuffed the try inches short, leaving Elder down 30-29 with barely a minute remaining. Special Teams, Redemption Edition Ramsey kept the hands team on the field, and what happened next belongs in Elder lore. Re's onside kick was perfectly executed: a skidding low liner that hopped off Princeton's front line and soared straight up into the air. Senior defensive back Jared Lammers - the emergency long snapper pressed into duty after senior captain Kenny Baker left with a shoulder injury - leapt and secured the ball amid the pile. The Pit exploded. Lammers said afterward that the successful onside kick was the result of constant practice and preparation, adding that the atmosphere was so loud he could barely think once he came down with it. Re's Redemption Elder drove inside the Princeton red zone and worked the clock to the final seconds. Out trotted kicker Adam Re, who earlier had endured the agony of seeing his 38-yard attempt blocked and returned for a Viking touchdown. This time, from 22 yards out, the senior calmly drilled it through the uprights as time expired. Elder 32, Princeton 30. The stands erupted in pandemonium: students pouring toward the fence, alumni dancing on the terraces, and a grinning Coach Ramsey hoisted by his players near midfield. Ramsey reflected afterward that this group displayed remarkable toughness and focus, noting how they ignored the scoreboard and kept playing true Elder football until the very end. The Numbers Behind the Epic Estep finished with 20 carries for 149 yards and three rushing touchdowns, plus 24-of-47 passing for 315 yards and a touchdown. Ruth was nearly unstoppable, catching 12 passes for 180 yards, including that unforgettable 75-yard score. Becker ran 16 times for 65 yards and added two successful two-point conversions. On defense, seniors Mason Chumbley and Uran combined for double-digit tackles, while Fortkamp's fumble recovery and multiple stops by Brody Turner and Major Kittles helped seal the second-half shutout of the Princeton offense. For Princeton, Satterwhite and Wells each scored on the ground, and Thomas's kickoff return felt like the dagger that never was. Yet the Vikings, plagued by penalties and cramping in the fourth, failed to protect what had once been a commanding lead. The Cooper Electric Star of the Game Friday's Cooper Electric Star of the Game is unquestionably Kaden Estep. The junior quarterback accounted for over 460 total yards and four touchdowns. When the season hung in the balance, Estep willed his team downfield again and again. His creativity under pressure - especially behind a reshuffled line losing veterans Alex Dugan and Baker - proved the difference. A Night for the Ages Halftime at The Pit carried a tense, uneasy quiet, with Elder trailing 17-0 and needing something - anything - to shift the momentum. What came next reverberated through Price Hill as the Panthers mounted one of the most electric surges the stadium has ever seen. From students shirtless in celebration to broadcast alumnus Bill Hemmer cheering from the stands on his birthday, the night transformed into something that felt equal parts miracle and movie script. By the final whistle, the atmosphere inside the Pit had reached a level rarely matched - a roaring, unforgettable chaos that left the entire place buzzing long after the lights began to dim. Up Next: A Familiar Foe The reward for Elder's impossible comeback is a rematch with rival St. Xavier in next week's Regional Final. The Bombers defeated Moeller 17-13 on Friday at Welcome Stadium, setting up a titanic showdown between two Greater Catholic League heavyweights. Elder defeated St. Xavier 23-13 in week 6 of the regular season, but none of that matters now. Everything resets, and both teams are 12 minutes of game film away from a trip to the state semifinals. Kickoff is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at a site to be announced by the OHSAA. The Legacy Grows From the long history of Elder Football, one night now joins the pantheon of memorable matchups - the Miracle at Middletown against Centerville in 1999, the Colerain thriller of 2003, and now whatever name this one ultimately earns: Pandemonium in Price Hill? Perseverance in Price Hill? Or something still waiting to be written. Elder's win didn't need explanations or speeches - the performance spoke for itself. On a night when nearly everything had to fall perfectly into place, the Panthers fought, clawed, and refused to break, turning every improbable moment into one of the most unforgettable victories The Pit has ever seen. Final Score at The Pit: Elder Panthers 32, Princeton Vikings 30. Next stop: the Regional Final.  [Read More]

CINCINNATI - The lights of The Pit snapped on for November football, and Elder High School's postseason journey picked up exactly where its regular season left off - pounding the ball, controlling the tempo, and letting its defense smother another opponent. Behind a record night from senior running back Tommy Becker, the Panthers defeated the Fairfield Indians 27-7 in Friday's Division I, Region 4 quarterfinal at Elder's historic stadium. Senior night energy mixed with playoff intensity, but once the first few exchanges were finished, it looked like the same formula that carried Elder to a perfect 10-0 regular season. Becker scored four touchdowns - the third time this year he has hit that mark - and churned out 150 yards on 32 carries, earning him the Cooper Electric Star of the Game honor. His steady runs were all the Elder offense needed to keep Fairfield trailing and chasing. Elder's physical rhythm returns quickly Questions were asked in the pre-game: how would Elder react to a first-round bye? Would an undefeated team come out sharp or sluggish? In the opening series, Fairfield moved the ball, but when senior linebacker Derek Uran knifed through for an early stop and blocked a punt, the offense inherited the ball on midfield, and the tone was set. Quarterback Kaden Estep - the Greater Catholic League's Offensive Player of the Year - handed off early and often. Behind an offensive line anchored by seniors Tyrell Scott, Aedan McKenna, Caleb Broxterman, and Nick Cassaro, Elder's first drive chewed nearly six minutes off the clock. Becker finished it from two yards out, pushing through two tacklers to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead. The first drive showed Elder's trademark style - a blue-collar, physical possession built on disciplined line play, patience from the backfield, and complete control of the tempo. Fairfield, the region's No. 8 seed, entered fresh from a 46-41 shootout win over Mason and brought a dynamic rushing attack featuring senior tailback Gabe Ross. Elder's defense, however, allowed only brief flashes: every time Ross looked ready to pop a long one, someone in purple filled the lane. Senior linemen Alex Dugan and Jayven Hutchinson were relentless, and sophomore linebacker Pete Fortkamp delivered another signature outing, intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble on consecutive Fairfield possessions. Becker keeps answering The Panthers' second major march began late in the first quarter and carried into the second. Alternating direct snaps to Becker and quarterback keepers from Estep, Elder advanced 13 plays in six minutes. Becker dove over the goal line again from a yard out to double the lead, 14-0. Fairfield finally responded just before halftime. Quarterback Dominic Back threaded a nine-yard touchdown to John Abramson with 14 seconds left to make it 14-7, handing Elder its first moment of discomfort in weeks. The Pit crowd quieted, but the halftime locker room did not. Observers on the broadcast noted that the halftime discussion must have been a spirited one that refocused the players. Whatever Elder head coach Doug Ramsey said worked. The Panthers re-emerged focused on their identity: run behind the line, mix in high-percentage throws, and let conditioning take over. Second-half control Elder opened the third quarter with another long possession - 10 plays, 79 yards, essentially perfect execution. Estep's passing touch returned; he hit Brady Andriacco and Chase Walpole on crisp routes to offset Fairfield's loaded box. Becker punctuated the drive with a five-yard score. A mishandled extra-point snap kept the advantage at 20-7, but the drive itself deflated the visitors. Moments later, Fortkamp's family produced their second turnover of the night when defensive end Henry Fortkamp pounced on a Fairfield fumble at the Elder 32. Four minutes later, Becker sprinted left and crossed the stripe again, his fourth touchdown giving Elder all the cushion it needed, 27-7, with just over ten minutes left. From there, the Panthers simply strangled the game. Estep (six carries, 45 yards) used safe read-options to milk the clock, Walpole added two drive-extending catches, and Elder's defense slammed the door. Fairfield's final three possessions ended in a fumble, a sack, and a four-and-out. Defensive dominance The numbers told the story. Fairfield managed 197 total yards, only 54 on the ground. Elder's defense collected three takeaways and four sacks, living up to its season average of allowing barely 12 points per game. Seniors Andrew Paff, Uran, and Dugan combined for 21 tackles. Sophomore linebackers Pete and Brody Turner filled lanes like veterans, while defensive backs Aidan Sullivan and Jared Lammers limited yards after catch - Lammers added six tackles of his own. The coaching staff emphasized that the players' trust in one another and fast, disciplined execution exemplified what playoff-level defense looks like. Elder offense: patience and precision Elder ran 55 offensive plays for 288 yards. The split was almost textbook balanced: 180 rushing, 108 passing. Estep finished 12-of-18 for 108 yards without a turnover after the halftime reset. Walpole caught six for 48, Ruth added three receptions for 34 yards, and Andriacco's 22-yard grab on the opening second-half drive was a catalyst. Still, it was Becker who drew all eyes. His 18 touchdowns this fall trail only a handful of single-season marks in Elder history. Friday he became the first Panther back since Ryan Brass to post three separate four-TD games. Becker explained after the game that his focus was simply on following the blocking of his linemen and maintaining the team's physical identity after the bye week, and he felt they achieved that goal. Legacy of balance Offensive coordinator Peyton Ramsey - former All-Big Ten quarterback at Indiana - has shaped Estep's growth with an offense that can morph from smash-mouth GCL style to spread tempo without blinking. Friday's plan blended both beautifully. According to the coaching staff, Estep now demonstrates full command of the offense; with a strong offensive line and a productive back like Becker, he can make smart decisions without forcing plays. Rob Florian, observing from the broadcast booth, described it as a classic Elder blueprint: staying composed, relying on leadership, and finishing with all eleven players working together. Around Region 4 and what's next While Elder was finishing up early, other regional games were still grinding into the fourth quarter. On the other side of the bracket, St. Xavier rolled past Lakota East 35-7, while at the Mount St. Joseph complex Moeller edged Lakota West 19-14. The game with direct implications for Elder came in Sharonville, where Winton Woods and Princeton were locked in a 16-10 struggle at last report. The Panthers will host the winner of that contest next Friday in a regional semifinal back at The Pit. If Winton Woods advances, it will bring an athletic defense led by University-bound playmakers; if Princeton rallies, it sets up a rematch of contrasting styles - Princeton's speed versus Elder's discipline and depth. Either way, Elder remains the region's top seed and the only unbeaten Division I program in Southwest Ohio. Keys moving forward Ramsey's postgame checklist emphasized the same fundamentals as always: stay healthy, avoid penalties, win the turnover battle, and trust the process. His team did all four Friday. Elder committed only three infractions for 25 yards and zero turnovers in the second half. The Panthers also enjoyed more than 30 minutes of possession, compared with Fairfield's 18, illustrating total domination of tempo. Final Book Scoring Summary Elder - Becker 2 yd run (Ray kick) Elder - Becker 1 yd run (Ray kick) Fairfield - Abramson 9 yd pass from Back (Gagan kick) Elder - Becker 5 yd run (kick failed) Elder - Becker 3 yd run (Ray kick) Totals - Elder 27, Fairfield 7 Team statistics Elder 288 yards offense (180 rush / 108 pass) Fairfield 197 yards offense (54 rush / 143 pass) Turnovers - Fairfield 3, Elder 1 Time of possession - Elder 30:02, Fairfield 17:58 Individual leaders Rushing: Becker 32 att 150 yds 4 TD; Estep 6 att 45 yds Passing: Estep 12-18 108 yds Receiving: Walpole 6 rec 48 yds; Ruth 3 for 34; Andriacco 1 for 22 Tackles: Uran 7; Paff 7; A. Dugan 7; Lammers 6 Turnovers forced: P. Fortkamp INT + FR; H. Fortkamp FR Final: Elder 27, Fairfield 7. Record 11-0. Next game - Regional Semifinal vs Princeton, Friday, November 14 at The Pit. (Game time 7 p.m) Tickets will go on sale on Monday. Byline: Prep Sports Radio Network - Elder Game Report   [Read More]

Congrats to our student athletes who were named to the All-GCL Football Teams! FIRST TEAM OFFENSE Tommy Becker, Elder, RB, Senior, 5-11, 180 Kaden Estep, Elder, QB, Junior, 6-0, 170 Jackson Ruth, Elder, WR, Senior, 5-10, 170 Tyrell Scott, Elder, OL, Senior, 6-4, 300 FIRST TEAM DEFENSE Mason Chumbley, Elder, DB, Senior, 5-11, 165 Alex Dugan, Elder, LB, Senior, 6-4, 200 Kaden Estep, Elder, P, Junior, 609m 170 Pete Fortkamp, Elder, LB, Sophomore, 6-2, 205 Jayven Hutchinson, Elder, DL, Senior, 6-0, 250 Derek Uran, Elder, LB, Senior,6-2, 200 SECOND TEAM OFFENSE Nick Cassaro, Elder, OL, Junior, 6-1, 290 Seb Hignite, Elder, OL, Senior, 6-3, 240 Chase Walpole, Elder, WR, Junior, 6-1, 185 Max Doogan, Elder, DL, Junior, 6-0, 220 Henry Fortkamp, Elder, DL, Senior, 6-0, 210 Jared Lammers, Elder, DB, Senior, 6-2, 180 Brody Turner, Elder, LB, Sophomore, 6-2, 220 OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Kaden Estep, Elder DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Derek Uran, Elder COACH OF THE YEAR Doug Ramsey, Elder OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR Tyrell Scott, Elder PUNTER OF THE YEAR Kaden Estep, Elder   [Read More]