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Elder’s early scores doom West

WEST CHESTER, Ohio – Having to make two trips to Lakota West did not faze Elder.

The Panthers went to Firebird Stadium for the second straight day and defeated Lakota West, 34-17, Saturday after lightning postponed the game on Friday.

Lakota West (1-1) defense had no answer for Elder senior quarterback Peyton Ramsey and senior running back JaVahri Portis. The offense followed up last week’s eight first-half touchdowns against Oak Hills with three TDs in the opening two quarters to take a 20-10 halftime lead.

“We can get a lead on people, and our ability to pass and run, we make you become more dimensional and make you have to throw all the time,” said head coach Doug Ramsey. “I like our chances against any team if we make you pass the ball.”

Ramsey and the rest of the offense were able to keep their punter off the field for the entire game. The Panthers (2-0) scored a touchdown on their first three possessions, and were denied a fourth at the end of the first half when Ramsey threw a pass to junior wide receiver Adam Schwallie that was caught out of bounds in the corner of the end zone.

Coach Ramsey argued there was more time left for another play, but received a penalty for arguing with the referee. There was a scoreboard malfunction for the entire game, which forced the officials to keep the official time on the field.

The 6-feet-3 quarterback finished the game going 12-for-17, 152 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 165 yards. Last season, Ramsey threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers, 31-21, defeat of Lakota West at The Pit.

The Firebirds’ defense struggled to stop Portis for the second straight season as the senior finished the game with 140 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-feet-2 back rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns in their last meeting.

“The offensive line does an incredible job of making holes,” Portis said. “Tommy Kraemer takes out two to three players at a time.”

Lakota West opened the scoring in the game by taking the opening drive 68 yards on eight plays. Senior running back Danny Otakasongo ran the ball for 47 yards and capped the drive with a 12-yard TD run. The senior running back finished the game with 91 yards and two touchdowns. After that opening drive Lakota West was held to only 225 total yards for the game.

“They came out and took it to us and were just more aggressive and had mental mistakes,” coach Ramsey said. “We were able to settle down on their second possession and get more comfortable.”

The Panthers drove down the field for 75 yards on their opening drive, and Portis scored the first of his four touchdowns on a 6-yard run with just over five minutes left in the first quarter.

The Firebirds answered with a 62-yard drive but were forced to settle for a 43-yard field goal by senior kicker Jack Nguyen to take a 10-7 lead.

Elder countered with a seven-minute drive that went into the second quarter to take a 13-10 lead after the extra point was missed. That was Portis’ second touchdown of the day on a 1-yard run. The Panthers continued to push ahead and never looked back as they controlled the rest of the game.

Elder looks to stay undefeated as they play home Friday against Scott County (Ky.). Lakota West will travel to Huber Heights for a matchup against Wayne.

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