CINCINNATI, Ohio – In a fierce GCL South rivalry game, the St. Xavier Bombers rode the arm of new starting senior quarterback Thomas George to a season-defining 31-29 win over the previously unbeaten Elder Panthers on Friday night.
In an exciting back-and-forth contest between the two rivals, the Bombers offense was the unit that ultimately made the difference, executing a 10-plus play, 80-yard drive to win the game on a walk-off field goal by senior kicker Owen Davidson as time expired.
“I’m just so proud of our kids,” St. Xavier head coach Steve Specht said. “I talked about it to them all week long, you’re (2-3) and everyone is jumping off of the bandwagon. I told them not to worry about it. It’s always been about us. I just couldn’t be more proud.”
After a disappointing defeat last week to Moeller, the Bombers found themselves in a unique spot heading into the next two weeks of GCL South conference play. With nothing to lose, St. X walked into “The Pit” and delivered in all three phases, stunning both the previously undefeated Elder team and the Panthers faithful.
While Davidson’s kick proved to be the winning play, George was just the kickstarter the Bombers offense needed. Completing 14-of-22 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, the senior proved that he was more than up to the task of directing Specht’s offense.
St X stuns Elder at the horn
Thomas George steps in at QB & Owen Davidson nails down the pressure packed last second FG at The Pit pic.twitter.com/J0WblC0GCf
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) September 26, 2026
“I told (George) earlier this week that I want you to crush it,” Specht said. “(George) has done everything we asked of him. We made a different choice at the beginning of the season at quarterback, he never quit, he never complained. I couldn’t be more proud of Thomas George right now.”
While George is deserving of the high praise from his head coach, his night was not without adversity. Early in the second half, George’s pass intended for senior wideout Logan Von Holle was tipped by the Panthers defense and intercepted by senior linebacker Brayden Ackerman.
Later, with the Bombers pinned deep inside their own territory, George was sacked on a third-down play that resulted in an Elder safety, bringing the Panthers within five points.
Despite the adversity, George was unfazed.
“Coach (Specht) always says ‘clear the mechanism,’” George said. “That was the mentality I had. That was the mindset I had every time I’d go back out there.”
When the clock hit zero and Davidson’s winning kick sailed through the uprights, George was not alone in sharing the praise for driving the Bombers to such an important win. As with most GCL South contests, the deciding factor in the game boiled down to the trenches. All night, the Bombers offensive line was up to the task.
“The offensive line really stepped up, our receivers stepped up, made the catches when they needed to, and as soon as we got down inside the twenty yard-line, I knew we had it,” George said regarding the game-winning drive.
The Bombers offensive line was able to keep George protected while also opening running lanes for junior tailback Aiden Graham. Graham rushed for 114 yards on 21 attempts, helping St. Xavier finish with 161 rushing yards against an Elder defense that entered the night allowing just 6.0 points per game.
Senior Aidan Newdigate, who had started the year at quarterback for the Bombers, was effective in both the running game and passing attack while lined up at receiver. He scored on a five-yard run and added five receptions for 47 yards.
As for Elder, senior quarterback Kaden Estep was as advertised, continuing to impress with four total touchdowns, three through the air and one on the ground. Estep completed 20-of-26 passes for 236 yards and added 72 yards rushing.
Senior wideout Andrew Lyman, whose availability remained uncertain until just before kickoff due to his eligibility situation, caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown after a judge granted a temporary restraining order Friday evening that allowed him to play.
After the Elder safety, the Panthers eventually drove down the field to score on Estep’s three-yard touchdown run and take the lead for the first time all evening, 29-28, with 5:10 remaining. The most important play of the sequence, however, came on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt.
Estep slipped on his rollout to pass, dooming the attempt and keeping Elder’s lead at just one point instead of three, swinging the door open for the Bombers to win it with a field goal.
St. Xavier took advantage. George and the Bombers drove into position for Davidson, who connected from 25 yards as time expired to give St. Xavier the dramatic 31-29 victory.
Davidson’s field goal did not just win the Bombers the game. It also gave Specht his milestone 200th career victory as the head coach at St. Xavier.
With the win, St. X moves to 3-3 on the year and 1-1 in conference play. The Bombers will look to continue their momentum next week at Trinity (KY). Elder drops to 5-1 and 1-1 in conference play and will look to get back into the win column when it travels to Dayton to play Moeller.
SCORING BY QUARTER
X: 7-14-7-3-31
E: 7-7-7-8-29
SCORING PLAYS
X: Ethan Cole 11 pass from Thomas George (Owen Davidson kick)
E: Jake Bier 23 pass from Kaden Estep (Tyler Homan kick)
X: Aidan Newdigate 5 run (Davidson kick)
X: Christian MacDonald 18 pass from George (Davidson kick)
E: Andrew Lyman 34 pass from Estep (Homan kick)
E: Jason Forte 5 pass from Estep (Homan kick)
X: Logan Von Holle 42 pass from George (Davidson kick)
E: Pete Fortkamp safety
E: Kaden Estep 3 run (2-PT FAILED)
X: Davidson 25 field goal
UP NEXT: St. Xavier: at Trinity (KY) (5-1); Elder: at Moeller (4-2, 2-0) (at Welcome Stadium in Dayton)
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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