The impossible became a reality for the Elder community. A team that was underrated and disrespected made the history books after a 35-7 victory over De La Salle (MI), capping off the first undefeated regular season for Elder since 1991.
Elder football first came about in 1923 (one year after the school’s opening). Since, the ’23 season, Elder has only had five undefeated seasons. Elder head coach, Doug Ramsey, mentioned that this is so because of the challenging schedule Elder faces every year. This year, many considered Elder to have the hardest schedule in Ohio. According to Ramsey, “Eight out of the 10 teams we played [this year] have won four state championships… We played programs that were really good, and our players battled every week.”
The Panthers often fill their schedule with tough competition to make their players work for a win. It is built into the Elder culture of challenge oneself, and the football program does so through the teams they play. Also, to beat a better team in the regular season is praised by OHSAA because it allows for potential higher seeding.
To succeed with a tough schedule, the team itself must be tough: “These guys were able to do it because we are a physical, physical football team,” Ramsey said. “They’ve got the right mentality… they don’t care about themselves as individuals. It’s about what we can do to get better and win.”
Elder is built on grit and hard nose mentality that the coaches harp on. Elder usually is not blessed with many extremely talented athletes (though there are some on this football roster), so the mentality of hard work compensates.
With how talented the 1960’s were, they never accomplished an undefeated season. As many as three teams in the 60’s only had one loss in the regular season. However, those teams only had one GCL (Greater Catholic League) victory, which was a co-championship with Roger Bacon.
Being a member of the GCL, Elder faces some of the biggest high school rivalries in the Midwest. LaSalle, Moeller, and St. Xavier are all historic programs with years of success. Pregame predictions are thrown out the window when these teams meet because it is anyone’s game. This makes it extremely difficult to win all three of the GCL matchups in the regular season. However, the 2025 Panthers prospered despite the adversity.
This year, Elder won their first GCL Championship since 2008 after defeating Moeller 24-16 in the Pit. It was a game to be talked about for decades to come. It came down to the final drive, but Elder came up out top, and achieved a title someone in purple has not had in 17 years.
Players and fans were filled with joy after the victory. People had a real sense of how big of an accomplishment winning the GCL championship. After winning the championship, Elder wide receiver, Jackson Ruth, said, “Its. awesome. It’s something you dream about as a little kid.” Dreams came true on that Friday night, but this was the first time during the season Elder was taken seriously.
Prior to the season, Elder was looked at as an average team. They were ranked in the top 300 in the nation, 7th in the city, and 3rd in the GCL. People overlooked Elder because of the talent the surrounding schools possess. Players for Elder felt disrespected, and to prove all of the critics wrong was a satisfying moment for the Panthers: “We want people to respect our name,” linebacker Derek Uran said, speaking out to the critics after the win. “Keep sleeping on it, we’re going to prove you wrong.” These players have a flame lit within them and it has no sight of being put out.
That flame is brighter than ever now that it is playoff season. The Panthers are currently heading into the Regional Finals to take on their GCL rival, St. X. The matchup will be tough, but the players and coaches have been preparing for this since last spring. Elder football is made for tough games like those to come, and the passion and tenacity these players have will give them the upper hand.
It has been a historic season for Elder so far. A GCL championship, reaching 400 wins in the Pit, and the fifth ever undefeated season. However, the Panthers are still looking for one more accomplishment. Elder’s third state championship.
