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Elder earns hard fought 13-10 win over LaSalle

PRICE HILL, Ohio – The Elder Panthers controlled its own playoff destiny thanks to a late game-saving interception holding on to beat the LaSalle Lancers 13-10 at The Pit.

After a long methodical drive, Sam Harmeyer kicked a 22-yard field goal to give the Panthers a 13-10 advantage with just 1:52 left to play in the game.

LaSalle had not lost in The Pit since 2012 and felt confident extending that streak over Elder. Drew Nieman, who played the entire second half at quarterback for LaSalle in place of the injured M.J. Horton, was called on to engineer a game-winning possession.

Nieman launched a pass toward the end zone but it was intercepted by Elder senior defensive back Kalib Dailey. Dailey returned the pick all the way out to midfield saving the game for the Panthers.

The victory all but assured Elder an opportunity to host a playoff game next week at The Pit. LaSalle losing the game will more than likely cause the Lancers to be on the outside looking in on this year’s playoffs for the first time since 2013.

Last season, the exact same scenario happened in reverse as LaSalle beat Elder 13-7, shutting the Panthers out of the post season.

Both team’s offensive units got off to a sluggish start thanks in part to a driving rain that lasted most of the night. 

LaSalle failed to earn a first down in the first half and things went from bad to worse just when the Lancers got its first break of the game. The Lancers recovered a muffed punt on the 40-yard line and looked to be in business. 

Instead, Horton was brought down behind the line of scrimmage, fumbling the ball away and injuring his ankle in the process. Horton was helped back to the locker room by the team’s medical staff before the half ended.

While Horton’s injury was being tended to, Elder was driving just before halftime. The Panthers faced a 4th-and-12 at the LaSalle 32-yard line. Instead of attempting a long field goal, Elder went for it and quarterback Michael Bittner found wide receiver Kyle Trischler for a 32-yard touchdown pass.

Horton returned for the start of the second half with the ankle heavily taped and he was noticeably limping. However, it was Nieman who got the call as the second half starter.

On the first possession of the half, Nieman lead the Lancers on its first scoring drive of the game. Nieman connected twice with wide receiver Devonta Smith setting up a two-yard touchdown run by Cam Porter tying the game 7-7.

LaSalle’s defense forced Elder to punt on its first possession and the Lancers turned that into points. Daniel Hinton kicked a 24-yard field goal through the rain giving the LaSalle its first lead 10-7.

Harmeyer matched that field goal with a 20-yarder of his own with 1:40 left in the third quarter tying the game 10-10.

After each team traded possessions, Bittner lead Elder on a long drive that stalled on the five-yard line. After a timeout, Elder sent its field goal unit onto the field and Harmeyer made the 22-yard chip shot despite the rainy conditions. 

Thanks to Dailey’s heroics the kick held up as the game winner for Harmeyer and the Panthers. The victory was Elder’s first over LaSalle since 2015 when the Panthers won on the road 21-7.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

LaSalle 0-0-10-0 – 10

Elder 0-7-3-3 – 13

SCORING PLAYS

E – Kyle Trischler 32-yard TD catch from Michael Bittner (Sam Harmeyer kick)

L – Cam Porter 2-yard TD run (Daniel Hinton kick)

L – Daniel Hinton 24-yard field goal

E – Sam Harmeyer 20-yard field goal

E – Sam Harmeyer 22-yard field goal

RECORDS: LaSalle (4-5, 0-3); Elder (6-4, 2-1)

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