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2025 Schedule Sneak Peek: Elder

Elder LB Derek Uran (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/ X: @InMotionBySandy)

There are several things that pop out besides the annually difficult rigors when looking at the 2025 Elder schedule. The Panthers will face nine teams that won at least seven contests including five foes that won 10 games or more a year ago. There is also a stretch of four consecutive road battles and the one glaring omission from the slate is a matchup with rival St. Edward.

“This is the first year since 2007 that we are not playing St Ed’s and I believe this is the first year in my head coaching career (since 1997) we will not play on a Saturday,” head coach Doug Ramsey stated.

The teams that Elder will play were a combined 91-41 (.689 winning %) in 2024. The last five games on the slate are versus schools that were a combined 52-15 (.776 winning %). The Panthers went 4-6 against teams that finished the year above .500 in 2024.

Here is a look at the 2025 Elder Panthers schedule:

Fri – 08/22/25 – MT. ZION PREP (MD) (3-10 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – COVINGTON CATHOLIC (KY) (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – at Springboro (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – at La Salle (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – at Louisville St. Xavier (KY) (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – at St. Xavier (10-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – MOELLER (14-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – HIGHLANDS (KY) (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (IN) (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/24/25 – DE LA SALLE (MI) (8-3) – 7:00 PM

Elder QB Kaden Estep (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/ X: @InMotionBySandy)

ELDER PANTHERS
Division I, Region 4
2024 RECORD: 6-6, 0-3 GCL South
COACH: Doug Ramsey (223-107 at Elder, 29 years; 223-107 overall)
PLAYOFF HISTORY (26 appearances, 45-24 overall) – 2024, 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

TOP RETURNEES
Derek Uran, Sr, LB, 6-2/195 – Was named OPSMA Second Team All-Ohio, First Team All-GCL South and Third Team All-TSF after recording 75 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and two interceptions including a pick-six. Uran has verbally committed to Cincinnati.

Tyrell Scott, Sr, OL, 6-4/300 – The anchor of the offensive line and First Team All-GCL South selection in 2024. Scott has offers from Eastern Kentucky, Gardner-Webb and Kent State.

Elder OL Tyrell Scott (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/ X: @InMotionBySandy)

Alex Dugan, Sr, LB, 6-3/180 – Was named First Team All-GCL South after getting in on 65 tackles, with a sack, 8.5 tackles for losses and an interception last fall.

Adam Re, Sr, K – Connected on 24/25 extra point attempts, 5/6 field goal tries long of 32-yards) for 39 points and had eight touchbacks on 44 kickoffs as a junior.

Kaden Estep, Jr, QB, 6-0/180 – Threw for 1,908 yards, ran for 189 yards with 12 touchdown passes and two rushing scores in his first year as a starter, last fall.

Pete Fortkamp, So, LB – Was inserted into the starting lineup for the final six games of 2024 and became an immediate force registering 63 tackles, with 2.0 sacks, 3.0 tackles for losses and a fumble recovery, in that span.

Elder LB Pete Fortkamp (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/ X: @InMotionBySandy)

FINAL TAKE: The Panthers, more often than not, respond well to the challenges on their schedule. The slate is daunting, as it most always is. Elder does have the luxury of staying in its same weekly routine during the regular season with 10 Friday night affairs. As the year wears on and the playoffs approach that advantage should play into the Panthers favor.

Add in the factors of having arguably the best linebacking core in the GCL South, an above average kicking game, a starting quarterback with a year under his belt and Elder has great key components to build the foundation for a very successful campaign. 

 

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