By Cole Swafford | CSwaff Media
Photography by Cole Swafford | CSwaff Shots

CINCINNATI, Ohio — One yard. Two final chances. One unforgettable finish.

With its season hanging in the balance, St. Xavier stood just one yard away from completing a remarkable comeback Friday night at The Pit. But with the final seconds ticking away, Elder’s defense refused to surrender the end zone.

Two consecutive direct-snap runs were stuffed at the goal line. The final seconds disappeared, and The Pit erupted into absolute chaos.

Players and fans poured onto the field as a deafening roar swallowed the stadium, celebrating Elder’s thrilling 27–23 victory over St. Xavier in the OHSAA Division I, Region 4 semifinals.

The Panthers had survived another unforgettable chapter in one of Cincinnati’s most storied rivalries, improving to 21–0 all-time in home playoff games.

It was the 112th meeting between Elder and St. Xavier and their ninth postseason matchup. With a trip to the regional championship on the line, the latest meeting delivered a finish worthy of the rivalry’s history.

Estep Sets the Tone Early

The atmosphere inside The Pit was electric from the opening kickoff. Elder’s student section was roaring, creating an intimidating environment for the visiting Bombers.

St. Xavier opened the game with a quick three-and-out, giving Elder an early opportunity to capitalize.

The Panthers needed just two offensive plays to strike.

Senior quarterback Kaden Estep broke through the St. Xavier defense for a 46-yard touchdown run, igniting the home crowd. Tyler Homan converted the extra point to give Elder a 7–0 lead with 9:03 remaining in the opening quarter.

St. Xavier answered with a sustained possession.

Running back Aiden Graham helped move the Bombers downfield before Aidan Newdigate took a direct snap near the goal line and powered into the end zone from one yard out.

The conversion attempt failed, leaving Elder ahead 7–6 with 5:24 remaining in the first quarter.

The Panthers responded with a methodical drive that carried into the second quarter.

This time, Estep delivered through the air, finding Jake Bier for a 4-yard touchdown pass. Homan’s extra point extended Elder’s lead to 14–6 with 11:15 remaining before halftime.

But the Bombers refused to let the Panthers pull away.

St. Xavier put together another impressive possession. Facing fourth-and-goal, quarterback Thomas George found Ethan Cole for a 4-yard touchdown.

Rather than attempt the extra point, the Bombers went for two.

George returned to Cole, who made a spectacular toe-tapping catch along the back of the end zone to complete the conversion.

With 2:41 remaining before halftime, the game was tied at 14.

Neither team scored again before the break, setting up a second half that would feature several dramatic momentum swings.

Momentum Swings in the Third Quarter

Elder received the second-half kickoff and began its opening possession at its own 16-yard line.

The Panthers wasted little time moving downfield.

A creative reverse helped generate a significant gain, and Estep eventually broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run, his second rushing score of the night.

Homan’s extra point put Elder ahead 21–14 with 10:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Once again, St. Xavier answered immediately.

The Bombers returned to their direct-snap package near the goal line, and Newdigate powered in from five yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the evening.

Owen Davidson converted the extra point, tying the game at 21 with 8:01 remaining in the third quarter.

The game’s momentum then shifted on a special-teams mistake.

After Elder’s offense went three-and-out, a punt snap sailed over the punter’s head and out of the back of the end zone.

The safety gave St. Xavier its first lead of the night, 23–21, with 7:08 remaining in the third quarter.

The Bombers returned the ensuing free kick to midfield, putting themselves in position to extend their advantage.

But Elder’s defense delivered a critical response.

Brayden Tepe forced a fumble, and Caleb Curry recovered the loose football, preventing St. Xavier from capitalizing on its favorable field position.

It was the only turnover of the game, and one that helped keep the Panthers within striking distance.

Defenses Take Control

As the game moved into the fourth quarter, both defenses began dictating the action.

St. Xavier’s secondary made passing difficult for Estep, consistently staying close to Elder’s receivers. Several throws sailed beyond their targets, while two passes struck defenders’ helmets amid tight coverage.

The Bombers held a narrow 23–21 advantage with 7:46 remaining when they took possession at their own 28-yard line.

St. Xavier assembled a promising drive, including a well-executed throwback screen that helped the Bombers advance deep into Elder territory.

Following an injury timeout involving Newdigate, a St. Xavier pass toward the end zone nearly resulted in an Elder interception.

The Panthers’ defense ultimately forced a field-goal attempt.

The kick missed.

With 4:08 remaining, Elder took over at its own 20-yard line, trailing by two.

The Panthers had one more opportunity to reclaim the lead.

Estep Delivers When It Matters Most

Elder’s next possession would become the defining offensive drive of the night.

The Panthers opened with a deep pass attempt that drew a pass interference penalty.

With the clock approaching three minutes, Estep delivered one of the game’s biggest plays.

The senior quarterback escaped down the right sideline, breaking free for a 48-yard run that carried the Panthers deep into St. Xavier territory.

The Pit erupted as Elder suddenly found itself knocking on the door.

Inside the huddle, the Panthers encouraged one another, recognizing how little distance separated them from reclaiming the lead.

Estep continued attacking on the ground, eventually moving the football to approximately the 1-yard line.

Facing third-and-goal, Elder called a quarterback isolation run straight up the middle.

Estep followed his blocking and powered across the goal line.

Touchdown, Elder.

The Panthers had reclaimed the lead, 27–23, with 2:19 remaining.

Elder attempted a two-point conversion, but the try failed, leaving the Bombers within one touchdown.

Estep had now accounted for all four of Elder’s touchdowns, three rushing and one passing.

But the game was far from over.

One Yard From a Stunning Comeback

St. Xavier began its final possession at its own 20-yard line with 2:18 remaining.

The Bombers needed a touchdown to win.

They immediately went to work.

George connected with Logan Von Holle for a nine-yard completion along the left sideline, allowing the receiver to step out of bounds and preserve valuable time.

The Bombers continued advancing, including a wheel route to Aiden Graham that helped move the football toward midfield.

Despite the overwhelming noise inside The Pit, St. Xavier continued fighting through the Elder defense.

The Bombers converted a critical fourth down near midfield and continued to battle against Elder’s defensive pressure.

Still, the Bombers refused to go away.

A late completion carried St. Xavier to the Elder 1-yard line, giving the visitors an opportunity to steal the game.

After an incomplete pass, the Bombers turned to Newdigate, who had already scored twice on direct snaps earlier in the game.

The first attempt was stopped short.

St. Xavier hurried back to the line.

Newdigate took another direct snap and attempted to push across the goal line.

Again, Elder’s defensive front refused to budge.

The clock expired.

Game over.

Elder 27, St. Xavier 23.

The Panthers had defended the final yard and preserved their season.

A Performance to Remember

Estep delivered one of his most memorable performances of the season, rushing for 215 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries while completing 20 of 28 passes for 141 yards and another score.

He accounted for 356 yards of total offense and all four Elder touchdowns.

Bier caught six passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, while Drew Wauligman added seven receptions for 37 yards. Chase Walpole contributed four catches for 44 yards.

Defensively, Brody Turner led Elder with 14 tackles, including a sack. Pete Fortkamp added 13 tackles and two tackles for loss, while AJ Meyer finished with eight tackles.

Major Kittles and Max Doogan each recorded a sack, and Tepe’s forced fumble, recovered by Curry, provided one of the game’s most important defensive plays.

For St. Xavier, George completed 19 of 24 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown.

Graham carried the ball 26 times for 120 yards and added three receptions for 70 yards. Cole finished with three catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Von Holle caught five passes for 41 yards.

Newdigate scored both St. Xavier rushing touchdowns, finishing with 10 yards on six carries.

The Bombers actually outgained Elder 369–349 and held a 28:55 to 19:05 advantage in time of possession.

But the Panthers made their opportunities count, averaging 10.4 yards per rushing attempt as a team.

And when the game came down to one final yard, Elder’s defense delivered the stops that mattered most.

The Pit’s Perfect Playoff Record Lives On

Friday’s victory was about more than advancing in the postseason.

It was a measure of revenge for an Elder team that had suffered two heartbreaking losses to St. Xavier.

The Bombers defeated the Panthers 31–29 during the regular season on September 25, winning on a field goal in the closing seconds.

St. Xavier had also ended Elder’s 2025 postseason.

This time, the dramatic finish belonged to the Panthers.

As the final whistle sounded, Elder’s student section and supporters rushed onto the field, surrounding the players in a celebration that reflected the magnitude of the moment.

The noise was almost impossible to describe. The roar of the crowd made it difficult to hear anything else inside the stadium.

For Elder’s seniors, it was a fitting conclusion to their final game at The Pit.

The Panthers improved to 10–2 and extended their all-time home playoff record to a remarkable 21–0.

St. Xavier finished its season at 7–6, coming within one yard of another unforgettable victory over its rival.

Elder now advances to face Princeton in the Division I, Region 4 championship on Friday, November 20.

But before turning their attention to the next round, the Panthers had one more moment to celebrate.

One yard separated Elder from heartbreak.

Its defense made sure that yard was never surrendered.

Twenty-one home playoff games. Twenty-one victories.

The Pit remains undefeated.