Elder begins new year with a 42-21 win at Covington Catholic
Opening the new season on the road in a different state was no problem for the Elder Panthers as they picked up a 42-21 victory at Covington Catholic.
The Panthers had a pair of 35-point leads in the second half, including a 35-0 start to the contest. Covington Catholic outscored Elder 21-7 in the final 14 minutes, but Elder's damage in the first half had been done.
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Panther quarterback Ben Schoster was 15-for-17 passing with 165 yards, but it was moving on his legs that began Elder's run. Schoster dashed five yards to open the scoring and a Max LeMasters point after made it 7-0 in the first quarter.
Elder ran away from the Colonels in the second quarter. Luke Flowers needed just 3:16 to score two touchdowns on a pair of one-yard runs. Speedster Justin Re caught a 26-yard pass from Schoster for a 28-0 Elder lead at the half.
After going down 35-0 on another Schoster run, the Colonels opened up the offense. Owen Leen found 22-yards of open space for Covington Catholic's first touchdown. Elder responded quickly for a 42-7 lead, thanks to an Evan Meier rush, but the Colonels held strong the rest of the way.
The hosts cut Elder's lead to 42-14 on a 12-yard pass from Evan Pitzer to Willie Rodriguez. With just two ticks left on the clock, the Colonels put up another touchdown as Pitzer met Oliver Link from nine yards out.
Flowers led both squads with his 13 rushing attempts and 69 yards. He was one of four Panthers to rush for over 50 yards, joined by Schoster, Jack Reuter and Meier.
For the Colonels, Pitzer was 12-for-18 for 174 yards and two scores. Rodriguez caught three passes for 103 yards and the touchdown.
Covington Catholic will begin a three-game road trip at Pikeville on Saturday while Elder hosts 2019 state championship opponent Pickerington Central at The Pit on Friday.
Elder vs. Covington Catholic
Elder – 7 21 7 7 – 42
Covington Catholic – 0 0 7 14 – 21
E- Schoster 5 run (LeMasters kick)
E- Flowers 1 run (LeMasters kick)
E- Flowers 1 run (Le Masters kick)
E- Re 16 pass from Schoster (LeMasters kick)
E- Schoster 3 run (LeMasters kick)
CC- Leen 22 run (Weitzel kick)
E- Meier 9 run (LeMasters kick)
CC- Rodriguez 12 pass from Pitzer (Weitzel kick)
CC- Link 9 pass from Pitzer (Weitzel kick)
Records: E 1-0; CC 0-1.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elder opens campaign with 42-21 victory at Covington Catholic
