Elder High School has unveiled its 2026 football slate, a schedule that promises to test the defending champions as they aim to repeat the perfect regular‑season run they achieved in 2025, a season that ended as a regional runner‑up.
The Greater Catholic League‑South, which groups Elder with traditional powerhouses Archbishop Moeller, St. Xavier and La Salle, is widely regarded as one of the most competitive high‑school football conferences in Ohio.
The League Landscape
Beyond the familiar league opponents, Elder will travel to face six out‑of‑state foes from Kentucky, Indiana and Maryland, including Covington Catholic, East Central, Louisville St. Xavier, Highlands, Bishop Chatard and Mt. Zion Prep.
Five of those six opponents advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2025, underscoring the strength of the non‑league portion of the schedule and raising the stakes for each matchup.
Elder's 2025 campaign featured a 10‑0 regular‑season record, highlighted by a 10‑point victory over St. Xavier and narrow eight‑point wins over both Moeller and La Salle, results that have set high expectations for the upcoming season.
Coaches and players say the demanding schedule will sharpen their tactics and depth, positioning the team for another deep playoff run as they seek to defend their title.