CINCINNATI, Ohio – Kaden Estep became Elder’s all-time career passing yards leader and threw five touchdown passes as the sixth-ranked Panthers closed the regular season with a 52-6 victory over Mount Zion Prep (MD) on Friday night at The Pit.
The senior completed 11-of-14 passes for 220 yards without an interception. His record-breaking throw came on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jake Bier in the first quarter, surpassing the mark held by 2016 Elder graduate Peyton Ramsey, who now coaches the Panthers’ quarterbacks.
Elder improved to 8-2 with its third consecutive victory and heads into the Division I, Region 4 playoffs with a first-round bye already secured.
Estep wasted little time getting the Panthers rolling, connecting with Andrew Lyman for a 55-yard touchdown with 8:43 remaining in the opening quarter. His historic scoring pass to Bier followed just 52 seconds later, extending the lead to 14-0 after Tyler Homan’s extra point.
Drew Wauligman added a seven-yard touchdown reception from Estep as Elder built a 21-0 first-quarter advantage. Chase Walpole caught a four-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter to push the margin to 28-0.
Mount Zion Prep answered with its only scoring drive, covering 80 yards in six plays. Emil Lockghard found Alonzo Reader for a 20-yard touchdown, but the conversion pass failed.
Elder responded with 17 more points before halftime. Homan kicked a 21-yard field goal, Andrew Tallen scored on a five-yard run and Estep delivered his fifth touchdown pass, a 24-yard strike to Walpole with four seconds left before the break.
Lyman finished with three receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. Walpole caught four passes for 70 yards and two scores, while Bier added three catches for 24 yards and his place in the record-breaking moment.
The Panthers controlled the second half as well. A 16-play, 70-yard possession ended with Kam Bedel’s one-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, completing the scoring.
Elder outgained Mount Zion Prep 380-125 and held a 21-4 advantage in first downs. The Panthers never punted and converted all three fourth-down attempts.
Tallen led Elder’s rushing attack with 35 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Bedel added 33 yards and a score on nine attempts, while Luca Thompson completed all three of his passes for 27 yards.
Defensively, Elder limited the visitors to minus-two net rushing yards and recovered two fumbles. Brody Turner forced and recovered a fumble, Sam Parton secured the other recovery and Brayden Tepe recorded a sack.
Reader led Mount Zion Prep with four catches for 58 yards and its lone touchdown.
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Mount Zion Prep: 0-6-0-0 – 6
Elder: 21-24-0-7 – 52
SCORING PLAYS
E: Andrew Lyman 55-yard pass from Kaden Estep (Tyler Homan kick)
E: Jake Bier 13-yard pass from Kaden Estep (Tyler Homan kick)
E: Drew Wauligman 7-yard pass from Kaden Estep (Tyler Homan kick)
E: Chase Walpole 4-yard pass from Kaden Estep (Tyler Homan kick)
M: Alonzo Reader 20-yard pass from Emil Lockghard (pass failed)
E: Tyler Homan 21-yard field goal
E: Andrew Tallen 5-yard run (Josh Menner kick)
E: Chase Walpole 24-yard pass from Kaden Estep (Roni Aguilar kick)
E: Kam Bedel 1-yard run (Danny Mendez kick)
RECORDS: Elder 8-2; Mount Zion Prep 2-7.
UP NEXT: Elder receives a first-round bye before hosting a Division I, Region 4 second-round playoff game.
Get the complete scores from all of this week’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.
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