Preview: Oak Hills at Elder

It’s off to the wild, wild west side for the Blitz 5 Game of the Week as we start the 2023 playoffs. A packed house at the Pit will see Oak Hills aim for its first ever playoff win and first triumph over the home team Panthers in almost four decades. Elder has other aspirations, hoping to build on its recent postseason success that has seen the program make it to the third round of the playoffs or deeper four times in the last five campaigns.

OAK HILLS HIGHLANDERS (5-5) at ELDER PANTHERS (6-4)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Elder Stadium, The Pit
Follow on X: @TSFootball  

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seniors Brandon Stidham, Demar Parker Jr. and Elias Wheeler bring stability and balance to the Oak Hills’ offense. Stidham moved under center four weeks ago, adding a dual-threat element at quarterback. Parker Jr. can run and catch the ball out of the backfield. He has 906 yards from scrimmage (696 rush, 210 rec),18 receptions and six touchdowns (four rush, two rec). Wheeler is one of four Highlanders receivers with four touchdown receptions or more.

Elder quarterback Ryan Brass is a “gamer.” The senior has amassed 2,225 yards of total offense (1,328 pass, 897 rush) and accounted for 28 touchdowns (22 rush, six pass). Josh Mirus is the Panthers top receiver with 51 catches for 691 yards and seven scores. The future looks bright at linebacker with juniors Maddox Arnold, George Guidugli and freshman Luke Fortkamp. Arnold has team highs with 71 tackles, three sacks and 8.5 tackles for losses. Fortkamp has recorded 66 tackles with four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

TEAM TRENDS: This the 36th time these two schools have faced off all-time. Elder has a 30-5 advantage in those affairs, including winning the last 27 tilts dating back to 1986. Oak Hills won five of the first eight battles in the rivalry from 1979-86. This is just the second time the two schools have met in the playoff (1999).

Oak Hills finished the regular season with three straight wins for a second straight year. The Highlanders are 4-2 in games decided by seven points or less. This is the program’s fourth straight playoff appearance. They have a 12-29 record in that span.

This is Elder’s sixth straight playoff appearance. The Panthers are 11-5 and have not lost a first-round game in that span.

HEAD COACHES:
Oak Hills: Justin Roden (12-29 at Oak Hills, fourth year; 64-62 overall, 11th year)

Elder: Doug Ramsey (216-101 at Elder, 28th year; 216-101 overall)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Oak Hills (five appearances, 0-4) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 1999

Elder (25 appearances, 43-22 overall) – 2023, 2022, 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

OAK HILLS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Highlanders will need to absorb Elder’s blows, and there will be plenty of them, both mentally and physically. Oak Hills must conquer the grind and that means playing a full 48-minutes and never taking a play off.

ELDER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Look for the Panthers to establish the push up front on both sides of the early on. That should lead to weary Oak Hills offensive and defensive lines as the second half progresses, paving the way for Brass to have all kinds of options when the ball is in his hands after intermission.

Prediction: Elder 35, Oak Hills 14

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