Coming off the school’s fourth undefeated season and first 12-0 start in program history, Elder hopes to defy the odds again. Another 10-0 campaign will be difficult to attain against a slate that includes nine teams that won eight games or more a year ago. To accomplish perfection again would be one of the greatest feats and stories of the first quarter of the 21st century in the Queen City.
The teams that Elder will play were a combined 87-40 (.685 winning %) in 2025. Keeping that in positive perspective, it is .004 percentage points lower than the teams that donned the 2025 schedule. It has been done before (last fall), so never say never. The Panthers will face eight squads that won at least two playoff games including two state runner-ups (St. Xavier and Louisville St. Xavier, a regional champion (Middletown) and three regional runner-ups (East Central, Highlands and Covington Catholic).
Here is a look at the 2026 Elder Panthers schedule:
Fri – 08/21/26 – MIDDLETOWN (11-3 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – at Covington Catholic (KY) (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – EAST CENTRAL (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – LA SALLE (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – LOUISVILLE ST. XAVIER (KY) (10-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – ST. XAVIER (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – at Moeller (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – at Highlands (KY) (10-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (IN)(9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – MT. ZION PREP (MD) (1-9) – 7:00 PM
ELDER PANTHERS
Division I, Region 4
2025 RECORD: 12-1, 3-0 GCL South
COACH: Doug Ramsey (235-108 at Elder, 30 years; 235-108 overall)
PLAYOFF HISTORY (27 appearances, 47-25 overall) – 2025, 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
HONOR ROLL
Kaden Estep, Sr, QB, 6-0/175
Committed to: Miami (OH)
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division I First Team All-Ohio, GCL South Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Third Team All-TSF & TSF Cincinnati Offensive Player of the Year Finalist
2025 Stats: 2,430 PaYds, 15 PaTDs, 924 RuYds & 10 RuTDs
Career Stats: 4,338 PaYds, 27 PaTDs, 1,113 RuYds & 12 RuTDs
Pete Fortkamp, Jr, LB, 6-2/205
Offers from: Marshall, Miami (OH), Ohio & Southern Mississippi
2025 Honors Division I Honorable Mention All-Southwest District
2025 Stats: 81 Tkls, 3.0 sacks, 8.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 3 FRs, 6 PDs & 1 Int
Career Stats: 144 Tkls, 5.0 sacks, 11.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 4 FRs, 6 PDs & 1 Int
Chase Walpole, Sr, WR, 6-1/190
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GCL South
2025 Stats: 43 rec., 615 ReYds & 3 ReTDs
Max Doogan, Sr, DL, 6-0/225
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GCL South
2025 Stats: 35 Tkls, 2.5 sacks & 6.5 TFLs
Career Stats: 50 Tkls, 3.0 sacks & 8.5 TFLs
Nick Cassaro, Sr, OL, 6-1/285
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GCL South
Brody Turner, Jr, LB, 6-2/225
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GCL South
2025 Stats: 90 Tkls, 1.5 sacks & 7.0 TFLs as so.
OTHER RETURNEES
Andrew Paff, Sr, LB, 6-0/180
2025 Stats: 54 Tkls, 3.0 TFLs, 3 FFs, 2 FRs, 3 PDs, 1 Int & 10 IRYs
Drew Wauligman, Sr, WR
2025 Stats: 42 rec., 377 ReYds, 4 ReTDs, 143 KR/PRYs & 520 APYds
Major Kittles, Sr, DE, 6-3/225
Career Stats: 25 Tkls, 0.5 sacks & 4.5 TFLs
NEWCOMERS
Bryce Lyttle, Jr, OL/DL, 6-3/235
Transferred from West Clermont
Jake Bier, Jr, WR, 6-0/175
2025 Stats: 5G, 9 rec., 158 ReYds & 1 ReTD
Ben Stokes, Sr, TE/DE, 6-5/247
Offer from: Butler
Jack Kirch, Jr, OL, 6-7/280
FINAL TAKE: Sometimes the team after the one that reaches incredible heights churns out surprisingly pleasant results the following season. With the nucleus of quality that Elder returns and knowing that they have unfinished business to build upon this squad has plenty to keep it motivated. The regular season record may have some blemishes on it but don’t count Elder out of going even deeper into the playoffs that they did in 2026.
