The Elder Panthers opened their season with a commanding 35-3 victory over Middletown, asserting early dominance on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Kaden Estep was the catalyst, throwing four touchdown passes while adding 147 rushing yards, a dual-threat performance that left the opposition scrambling.
Wide receiver Andrew Lyman was equally prolific, hauling in seven catches for 145 yards and four scores, his big-play ability stretching the defense throughout the game.
Defensive Mastery
Elder’s defense limited Middletown to just three points, all of which came on a 27-yard field goal by Carson Haggins, as the Panthers’ front seven consistently disrupted the opponent’s offensive line.
The Panthers built a 14-3 lead at halftime and then exploded with 21 unanswered points in the second half, turning a comfortable margin into a decisive win.
The victory marks the first chapter of a new home-and-home series between Elder and Middletown, a rivalry that now stands at 11-2 in Elder’s favor, with the next matchup scheduled for August 28 against Covington Catholic.
Elder, a Division I Region 4 finalist from the previous season, returns a core group of talented players and will look to carry this momentum into the upcoming schedule.