Elder Panthers ?

2024 Outcome: 6-6 | Lost in the second round of the OHSAA playoffs to Lakota West

2025 Outlook: Elder is a familiar name within the halls of BGP, as the Panthers frequently play teams from our side of the river, namely Highlands, and in recent years, St. X.

If there was ever a year for us to talk Elder football, this is it.

For the ‘25 season, their schedule has a distinct Kentucky flavor, featuring the aforementioned Bluebirds and Tigers, plus Covington Catholic. Those three are a combined 2-17 all-time versus the Panthers. They've beaten X three years in a row, though all have been competitive. 

The following players were All-GCL selections last season:

? Joey Thamann (RB) | Joey Ditullio (DB) | Cooper Sandhas (DB) | JT Hofmann (OL) | Christopher Paff (WR) Matthew Golinar (DL)

? Derek Uran (LB) | Alex Dugan (LB) | Tyrell Scott (OL)

Uran was the GCL South's LB of the year and holds strong interest from the MAC, with offers from Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Kent State, and Toledo. He's a disruptor and makes plays at all three levels.

The loss of Thamann, a speedy all-purpose back and GCL RB of the year, leaves a void in the offense, but the Panthers return QB Kaden Estep and 6’4”/300 lb Tyrell Scott up front.

In true Elder/GCL fashion, they play a meat grinder of a schedule that produces a formidable football team. CovCath has never beaten them, but the blue Colonels catch them early. St. X will see them mid-season, while the Birds get them late, on the heels of what's sure to be a physical encounter with a powerhouse Moeller squad.

'The Pit', home of the Panthers and renowned for its history, atmosphere, and aesthetic, is getting a minor face-lift. 

As someone who's never been, I imagine it's a visual feast on a Friday night in the fall.

 

 

Uran picked up an offer from UC yesterday. 

 

31 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

'The Pit', home of the Panthers and renowned for its history, atmosphere, and aesthetic, is getting a minor face-lift. 

As someone who's never been, I imagine it's a visual feast on a Friday night in the fall.

 

 

It's well worth the trip.  As for Ky fan base parking rankings, Highlands fans have to hold the #1 spot.  They've trained their whole life for this scenario.  

The Pit is my favorite high school stadium. The only downer is that there is no place to park. However, I love how it grows out of the neighborhood.

Hands down best Friday Night Lights to be at. Crazy atmosphere, cannot wait to be the Colonels there this year and I’ll probably catch the Birds there too.

It’s absolutely electric! 

3 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

'The Pit', home of the Panthers and renowned for its history, atmosphere, and aesthetic, is getting a minor face-lift. 

As someone who's never been, I imagine it's a visual feast on a Friday night in the fall.

 

 

went in 1999 when Highlands played them at the Pit. I never knew how much Ohio schools looked down on Kentucky football until that night. It was an electric environment for sure.

St. X lost 17-15 last year on a last second FG by Elder. The Pitt is my favorite HS stadium. I just pay to park in the school parking lot since parking tough to find in neighborhood unless get further away from stadium and neighborhood looks a little rough.

Get there as early as you can and pay the parking man...

21 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

St. X lost 17-15 last year on a last second FG by Elder. The Pitt is my favorite HS stadium. I just pay to park in the school parking lot since parking tough to find in neighborhood unless get further away from stadium and neighborhood looks a little rough.

The neighborhood doesn’t look rough, it is rough. 

It amazes me how few football fans in the tristate have been to the Pit.  It is an absolute must.  And visiting coaches, if you have never been as a coach/player, you need to reach out to someone who has, because you are simply not ready and will start out bad right out the gate.  

 

The atmosphere is still the most electric in the tristate, but it is not what it was 20-25 years ago when they would get 13k+ every Friday night and fly the game ball in by a helicopter or something else crazy.  

But football fans, go experience Friday nights at The Pit.

Maybe a different thread topic but the lack of cool stadiums in KY is glaring compared to Ohio, especially in NKY.  I know nobody is building new really unique stadiums today since it is so expensive to build something other than the metal bleacher setup we see.

I agree. The Pit is one of a kind and I wish schools had the money to make their stadiums unique amongst each other, but I get it.

This was posted in the Beechwood thread:

RedHawk
Toledo also made an offer to Kaden Estep (2027) Elder's QB.  

On 1/22/2025 at 8:20 PM, New Colonel said:

Maybe a different thread topic but the lack of cool stadiums in KY is glaring compared to Ohio, especially in NKY.  I know nobody is building new really unique stadiums today since it is so expensive to build something other than the metal bleacher setup we see.

NKY- Highlands is a pretty unique stadium up against the brick wall. Being a Dixie fan you’re probably just used to it.

Down south there are some teams like Bell Co, Sheldon Clark that have mountain stadiums. Belfry is also really cool. 

Kentucky just doesn’t have schools big enough for Helicopter budgets.