Elder Football is officially back and the passionate fans of the Panthers couldn’t be more excited. The Panthers started the season at the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. The Panthers seem to have made a routine of winning their first game of this annual event.

Elder has now won nine consecutive games in the annual high school showcase. The Panthers topped the Middletown Middies 20-14. Elder essentially dominated the game other than two big plays by the Middies, a 99 yard kickoff return and a 42 yard interception return.

Senior running back and Captain Chris Schroer dominated the game with 33 carries for 173 yards. Schroer also scored on an eight yard run in the second quarter.

Andrew Sportsman, the senior WR, also looked impressive. Sportsman caught a 37 yard touchdown pass from sophomore QB Payton Ramsey, who rotated with senior QB and Captain Nick Peters. Sportsman caught seven balls for 158 yards in the Elder victory.

“He played great and made big play after big play,” Peters said about Sportsman’s big game. Peters and Ramsey rotated at the Quarterback spot throughout the whole game. It is still unclear who will be the full time starter for the Panthers.

The Elder cheering section was present and rowdy at the season opener. Not shy to share his opinion on the QB situation Elder Senior cheerleader Andrew Cole said, “At times we looked flat on offense. It seemed like we couldn’t get in a rhythm with the two quarterbacks”. Both Quarterbacks showed some good and bad. It will surely be interesting seeing who wins the starting role.

The most impressive part of Elder’s game was undoubtedly the play of the defense. Led by senior Defensive tackle Carl Langerich and senior corner Michael Bailey the defense looked dominant throughout the game. The Panther’s D did a great job of taking away the passing game. Middletown quarterback Allante Simmons only completed three passes for 46 yards.

“I loved the fire our team played with,” said Bailey. “We played hard throughout the game and executed our plan almost perfectly.”

Even though they only won by six points, the Panthers looked good in their first win. And only time will tell how this team will pan out. This team was the potential to do something special this season. Whether that potential will be met or not remains to be seen.