Elder Rolls Past
Moeller
Panthers win
key GCL South Division contest
By Bret Sims
Elder
jumped on Moeller early and went on to post a 49-33 win in a
Greater Catholic League South Division contest at The Pit.
The Panthers
(4-3, 1-2 GCL)) came into the game ranked seventh in the local
coaches poll while Moeller (4-2, 1-1) was ranked third.
It was a key
win for a struggling Panthers program that came into the game
on a two-game winning streak and had dropped to 11th in the
OHSAA Rankings.
Elder
started off the game with a bang when quarterback John Groene
hit Kyle Rudolph on a 69-yard bomb that put the Panthers up
6-0, just a little over a minute into the game.
On
Moeller’s third play from scrimmage Tim Uecker injured his
left ankle and had to be helped off the field. Uecker
wouldn’t return for the rest of the game. Ross Oltorik hit a
streaking Tony Harris in the corner of the end zone to get
Moeller on the board.
Moeller
made three mistakes that completely changed the outcome of the
game.
The
Crusader’s defense had stopped Elder on the Moeller 8-yard
line and force Elder to kick a field goal. Moeller roughed
the kicker and set Elder up first and goal on the 4-yard line
where Nicholas Gramke punched it in.
Trailing
21-14 half way through the second quarter, Oltorik was hit
from behind and coughed up the football on the Moeller 16-yard
line. Groene score Elder’s fourth touchdown of the night on a
keeper to put Elder up 28-14.
On
Moeller’s next possession Oltorik was picked off setting up a
31-yard touchdown pass from Groene to Josh Jones putting the
Panthers comfortably ahead at 35-14.
With less
than three minutes to play in the first half Elder scored
their sixth touchdown of the night on a 12-yard touchdown pass
from Groene to Josh Jones. Elder led at the half 42-14. The
game was basically over.
Moeller
would outscore Elder in the second half 19-7 but the game was
never in jeopardy for the Panthers. A lot of bench players
saw some playing time and Elder’s stars were able to enjoy a
well earned victory.
