CINCINNATI, Ohio – A sellout crowd of 10,169 packed The Pit for a GCL South showdown between the area’s top two teams in the week’s Blitz 5 Game of the Week, and Elder sent its fans home happy with a 24-16 victory over Moeller to claim the league crown.
For the first time in 17 years Elder has won the outright GCL South title.
The Panthers with a statement win over Moeller in front of a sold-out crowd. Elder is still perfect. 7-0.@WLWT | @ehsports @ElderHighSchool @estep_2027 @Jackson_ruth13 @_chasewalpole pic.twitter.com/PfmEH7lrqK
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) October 4, 2025
Senior quarterback Kaden Estep delivered a huge night for the Panthers, completing 21-of-29 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns while also adding 41 yards on the ground. His top target was wideout Jackson Ruth, who hauled in nine receptions for a season-high 139 yards and two scores.
PHOTOS: Moeller at Elder
Elder dictated the pace throughout, holding the ball nearly 13 minutes longer than the Crusaders and outgaining them 382-279 in total yardage. The Panther defense also shined, limiting Moeller to just 3.1 yards per carry and keeping quarterback Matt Ponatoski from finding a rhythm. Elder entered the contest allowing only 67.8 rushing yards per game and once again delivered a stout performance.
The win secured Elder (7-0, 3-0) its first outright GCL South championship since 2008. It also marks the program’s first undefeated record this deep into a season since 2001.
POSTGAME INTERVIEW: Doug Ramsey, Elder
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Moeller: 7-6-0-3-16
Elder: 0-15-9-0-24
SCORING PLAYS
M: Matt Ponatoski 6-yard pass to Cooper McCutcheon (Jack Mallabar kick)
E: Kaden Estep 18-yard pass to Jackson Ruth (Adam Re kick)
E: Team safety
E: Kaden Estep 7-yard pass to Jackson Ruth (Adam Re kick)
M: Matt Ponatoski 58-yard pass to Reggie Watson (Jack Mallabar kick)
E: Team safety
E: Kaden Estep 17-yard pass to Chase Walpole (Adam Re kick)
M: Jack Mallabar 30-yard FG
RECORDS: Moeller (5-2, 2-1 GCL South; Elder 7-0, 3-0)
UP NEXT: Moeller at St. Ignatius; Elder vs. Highlands
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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