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Preview: #4 Elder at #6 St. Xavier

St. Xavier DE Gordy Sulfsted (photo by: Greg Shoemaker / TriStateFootball.com)

The GCL South slate gets heated up when the Elder Panthers make their way from Price Hill to Finneytown to visit the St. Xavier Bombers. Elder will be looking to build off of last week’s win as the host Bombers will look to bounce back from a tough first conference loss of the season. St. Xavier will be looking to get a rhythm going as they head down the back half of the season while the Panthers want to continue their strong play. One of the outcomes will take place and the winner will be in a good position moving towards the postseason. A lot is on the line in this matchup on Friday night.

#4 ELDER PANTHERS (3-2, 0-0) at #6 ST. XAVIER BOMBERS (3-2, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
RDI Stadium, Tom Ballaban
Follow on X: @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Elder offense has been very impressive all season long and a big part of that is quarterback Ryan Brass. Brass has completed 60-95 passes (63.2%) for 4 touchdowns against only one interception on the season. The lead man is an effective dual threat as he has also been an outstanding runner as well. The senior has rushed 98 times for 541 yards (2nd in the GCL-S) and an astounding 14 touchdowns (1st in GCL-S) to power the Panther offense. When he does look to the air he usually finds wideout Josh Mirus (31 rec, 349 yds, 2 TD) Defensively the Panthers have leaned on linebackers George Guidugli and Maddox Arnold. Guidugli ranks second in the league with 35 tackles and Arnold ranks sixth in tackles with 33 and third in sacks (2).

Things get started on offense for St. Xavier with junior play caller Chase Herbstreit. Herbstreit ranks second in the league with 921 passing yards (76-141) with 6 touchdowns. His main target has been senior wide receiver Brady Bennett who leads the league with 31 receptions and 388 yards to go with three scores. On the ground the Bombers have looked to the experienced Steven Napier to carry the load. Napier has rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns and is also an effective receiver out of the backfield. Jakobe Clapper leads the St. Xavier defense with 35 tackles, Gordy Sulfsted leads the league with 3.5 sacks, and Brayden Reilly has snagged two INTs. 

TEAM TRENDS: Elder has been a scoring machine through five games. They average 32.4 points per game and do a large amount of their damage on the ground. The Panthers have rushed for 943 yards on the season which is a league best 188 yards per game. Elder does have a bit of a balanced attack as they pass for 138 yards per game. Defense has been their weakest area through five games. The Panthers give up 312 yards and 23 points per game albeit against some prolific offenses. They’ll hope to change that trend in the rugged GCL-S

St. Xavier on the other hand has been tough defensively. The Bombers give up a league best 193 yards per game. Their 14.4 points per game given up is good for 2nd in the league. While they excel on defense, St. Xavier has had trouble manufacturing points. They score a league worst 17.8 points per game and are also last in yards per game at 272. The Bombers will hope that they can get some points on the board against a less than stellar defensive unit this week.

HEAD COACHES:
Elder: Doug Ramsey (213-99 at Elder, 27th year; 213-99 overall, 27th year)

St. Xavier: Steve Specht (172-70 at St. Xavier, 19 years; 172-70 overall)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Elder (24 appearances, 43-22 overall) – 2021, 2020, 2019 (State Runner-up), 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009 (Regional Champion), 2008 (State Runner-up), 2007, 2004, 2003 (State Champion), 2002 (State Champion), 2001, 2000, 1999, 1996 (Regional Champion), 1995, 1991, 1989, 1988

St. Xavier (29 appearances, 55-25 overall) – 2022, 2021, 2020 (State Champion), 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 (State Champion), 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 (Regional Champions), 2010, 2009, 2007 (State Champion), 2006, 2005 (State Champion), 2004, 2002, 2001 (State Runner-up), 2000, 1999, 1998 (State Runner-up), 1997, 1994, 1993, 1992 (State Runner-up), 1987, 1981.

ELDER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: St. Xavier has been a lot better through the air than on the ground so the Panther defense must limit Chase Herbstreit spreading the ball around to players like Jack McClatchey and Brady Bennett. Offensively, the Panthers should continue to utilize their run game to “outscore” a St. X offense that has issues scoring points. If they are successful, they should get a win.

XAVIER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Bombers need to make this game a slow paced slugfest. If St. Xavier can get their running game going, it would help to take possessions away from a great Elder offense. Defensively, St. Xavier should put all their bearings into stopping the run and taking away the quarterback on the ground. Victory will be in reach if they can do these things.

Prediction:  Elder 21, St. Xavier 17

 

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