Defense keys Elder win over La Salle
- Updated: October 30, 2015
By Michael Collins
CINCINNATI – Tenacious and relentless defense helped Elder capture a share of the Greater Catholic League South championship Friday night.
The Panthers’ physical, smash-mouth approach overwhelmed La Salle from start to finish. Elder held La Salle to 77 total rushing yards, and 3 of 11 on third-down conversions en route to a 21-7 victory over the Lancers at Lancer Stadium.
“We knew that we had to shut down the run, the defense knew they had to be physical,” senior quarterback Peyton Ramsey said. “That’s what they did tonight, the played extremely well. I’m extremely proud of those guys.
Elder’s defense set the tone right out of the gate by forcing La Salle to punt on three-and-out to open the game. During the short drive, helmets were smacking together loudly, bodies tumbling to the turf. The Panthers set the stage for a dominating performance.
“The defense prides themselves on getting a stop and then just rolling with it,” Ramsey said. “Early in the year they had some ups and downs, but they are starting to get in their grove and find their strengths and leaders on this defense. It’s really fun to watch.”
Elder’s offense moved the ball with ease on its opening drive of the game. Ramsey capped a 77-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.
Elder’s defense forced three straight punts to give the offense the opportunity to establish rhythm.
With under 10 minutes to play in the second quarter, the Panthers started their third drive of the contest at the Lancer’s 48 yard line. Ramsey took advantage of the field position as Elder marched into the red zone. Ramsey scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead.
La Salle finally broke for a big play with 32 seconds left in the first half. Senior quarterback Nick Watson completed a short pass to senior running back Jeremy Larkin, who scampered 81 yards for the touchdown as Elder held a 14-7 lead going into the break.
Late in the third quarter, Elder tacked on another score when Ramsey connected with senior receiver Nick Hall for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The Panthers took a 21-7 lead, and that was all the defense needed.
La Salle turned the ball over on downs in Elder territory three times in the latter half.
Ramsey finished the game with 145 passing yards, one passing touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for 104 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Ramsey also surpassed 2,000 passing yards this season.
Hall had 77 receiving yards on 6 catches, and senior half back Ja’Vahri Portis tabbed 75 yards on 21 carries against La Salle. Elder tallied 328 total yards on offense. The Panthers controlled the tempo with a time of possession 30:31 against the Lancers.
La Salle recorded 266 total yards on offense with time of possession of just 17:29 against Elder. Larkin rushed for 59 yards on 17 carries and Watson went 13 of 27 for 189 passing yards, one passing touchdown and one interception.
First round playoff pairings for Elder (7-3) and La Salle (8-2) will be announced Sunday.
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