Flowers, Elder dominant in west side rivalry
- Updated: October 21, 2022
CINCINNATI, Ohio – A pair of westside programs went to battle Friday night. Both Elder and La Salle were looking to dispatch their rival and generate some momentum for the postseason. For Elder, a win would keep their confidence riding high as they head to a week 11 home game. La Salle on the other hand needed a win just to find themselves in the playoffs. A lot was on the line at The Pit in Price Hill. Things went the Panthers way as they were able to get a convincing home victory by a score of 31-7 over La Salle.
Elder got things started offensively late in the first quarter. The drive was powered by a pair of Ben Schoster long passes to Luke Autenreib and Ben Collins. Luke Flowers capped off the 59-yard drive as he took a handoff and scored from seven yards out to give Elder a 7-0 lead with 2:36 left in the first quarter.
La Salle was able to generate a first down for the first time in the game but were forced to punt shortly thereafter. Elder took over on their own 43-yard line and ensued to make a methodic drive down the field. Schoster and Flowers were keys on the ground and the quarterback would finish the drive off with a 9-yard scamper up the middle. It was 14-0 close to midway through the second.
The Panthers would force a quick three and out. Elder was once again gifted great field position as they started on their own 49-yard line. Flowers would take over the drive on the ground with a pair of solid runs. Things went Elder’s way all half as Flowers caught a poor snap and went 33 yards for a score and a 21-0 with 5:00 until the half.
La Salle would respond with their best drive of the night but still were forced to punt. Elder went on the offensive in the two minute drill. Schoster found Autenreib for a big 22-yard gain after a pair of runs. Justin Re got into the action with a 9-yard catch and Flowers scored his third touchdown of the half from five yards out. Elder led 28-0 at the half. The La Salle offense could only muster a total of 40 yards in the first half as they were unable to get any rhythm going on offense.
The Panthers started the second half with a solid drive taking up almost half of the third quarter clock. The Lancers were able to hold and force a field goal. Max LeMasters buried a 34-yard field goal to give Elder a 31-0 lead and start the running clock. La Salle was able to finally get on the board late in the game when quarterback Patrick Mclaughlin took on in from nine yards out to avoid the shutout.
Elder outgained La Salle 345-156, 232 of those yards came on the ground. Luke Flowers led the charge on the ground as he carried the ball 14 times for 83 yards and three touchdowns. Ben Schoster added a touchdown on the ground to go along with his 39 yards rushing.
The Panthers’ defense was the main catalyst as they kept La Salle from getting anything going for the majority of the night in the dominating win.
SCORING BY QUARTERS
La Salle 0-0-0-7-7
Elder 7-21-3-0-31
SCORING PLAYS
E: Luke Flowers 7-yd rush TD (Max LeMasters kick)
E: Ben Schoster 9-yd rush TD (LeMasters kick)
E: Luke Flowers 33-yd rush TD (LeMasters kick)
E: Luke Flowers 5-yd rush TD (Max LeMasters kick)
E: Max LeMasters 34-yd field goal
L: Patrick Mclaughlin 9-yd rush TD (Mason Luensman kick)
RECORDS: La Salle (3-7, 0-3 GCL South); Elder (8-2, 2-1)
UP NEXT: OHSAA Playoff Brackets TBD
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