Elder 34, Centerville 21

It was clear to everyone in attendance for the Crosstown Showdown matchup at The Pit that the Elder Panthers are a much better team than what last season’s 2-8 record showed. They simply overpowered the Centerville Elks in this Week 1 tilt by a score of 34-21.

Elder (1-0) moved the ball effectively through the air and on the ground to accumulate 377 yards of total offense. The Elder defense stood tough against Centerville’s triple-option offensive attack. The Panthers forced to Centerville turnovers, while not turning the ball over themselves.

Elder’s offense was lead by senior quarterback Josh Moore and his elite unit of receivers. Moore completed 15 of his 23 passing attempts for 223 yards, including two second-half touchdown passes to senior tight end Joe Ramstetter, each going for over 30 yards. Ramstetter finished the night with three catches for 94 yards, averaging 31.3 yards per catch, and his two touchdowns.

Other wide receivers seeing action tonight were Max Mazza, who pulled in six receptions for 72 yards, and Devin Pike, who recorded four catches for 49 yards.

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEOS
--Postgame: Doug Ramsey, Elder
--Postgame: Josh Moore & Joe Ramstetter, Elder

Centerville (0-1) also struggled to stop the Panthers rushing attack, as junior running back Chris Schroer rushed for 87 yards on 17 carries, while senior running back Jimmy White picked up 53 yards on 10 carries, as well as rushing for the first touchdown of the game on a direct snap from the wildcat formation.

On defense, Elder caused nothing but trouble for Centerville’s fierce ground attack. On three of the first four offensive possessions for the Elks, the Panthers held them to three downs and a punt.

Elder also forced two turnovers in the first half, one came as a fumble recovery by defensive back Johnny Lammers, the other was an interception by defensive back Nick Coon, just before halftime as Centerville was driving into field goal range for kicker Andrew Gantz.

Other standout performers for the Panthers defense were linebacker Trevor Ginn, who recorded 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks, and defensive lineman Marc McGeorge, who added seven tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks.

The Centerville offense had trouble moving the ball early, but a second-quarter run of 53 yards by senior quarterback Jimmy Brooks during a third-and-long situation was the spark the Elks needed to help get them on the scoreboard. That carry paved the way for fullback Kyle Wenning to score on a 1-yard run. Brooks closed out the night rushing for 59 yards on 13 carries, including an impressive touchdown run in the closing minute of the fourth quarter.

Wenning picked up 62 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. Junior fullback Tim Roop also scored on the ground for the Elks, as well as rushing for 40 yards on seven carries.

Brooks was able to complete 11 of his 24 passing attempts, eight of which went to receiver Nick Bozzo, who added 157 yards receiving.

The Elks defense came into The Pit without its defensive leader, senior middle linebacker and Purdue recruit Jake Replogle, who will miss several weeks with a leg injury. Seniors Brant Gressel, Corey Jones, and Garrett Conner each recorded tackles for loss for Centerville.

Next week, Elder will look to continue their winning season as they travel to Columbus to face Upper Arlington. Meanwhile, Centerville returns home to face GWOC South opponent Springboro.