Elder Panthers ? 

?️ The Panthers ended last year's regular season as the top ranked team in Ohio’s largest division and peaked at 12-0 before falling victim to a playoff “bombing” by Cinci’s St. Xavier.

Kaden Estep is the top returning quarterback in the GCL South, a dual threat talent that accrued 3,354 total yards - 2,430 passing/924 rushing - and 25 combined touchdowns.

Chase Walpole was his second favorite target, but still good enough to be the league's third leading receiver.

The biggest issue offensively is replacing four starters from a very good o-line.

The linebacking corp returns well over 200 combined tackles and should be one of Cincinnati’s best units. Brody Turner is the leading returning tackler with 90 stops a season ago. Pete Fortkamp holds an offer from Ohio University after posting 81 tackles and Andrew Paff chipped in an additional 54.

The reigning GCL South champs swept their Kentucky opposition last year, rolling Highlands, fending off a spirited effort by CovCath, and escaping Louisville with a two point win over our St. X. Estep averaged 300 total yards per game in those wins.

All three are back on Elder’s schedule this coming season.

2026 Schedule
8/21 vs. Middletown
8/28 at Covington Catholic 
9/4 vs. St. Leon East Central (IN)
9/11 vs. Cincinnati La Salle
9/18 vs. Louisville St. Xavier (KY)
9/25 vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier
10/2 at Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller
10/9 at Fort Thomas Highlands (KY)
10/16 vs. Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (IN)

As of this post, Elder is still searching for a 10th game.

Quote from the CovCath thread by Cov_Cath_Hwy:

"Early prediction…..if we keep Elder’s QB Estep in-check and bring the same fight to Highlands we brought last year, we will run the table in the regular season…..yes, that means beating Elder."

https://bluegrasspreps.com/forums/topic/256990-2026-covington-catholic-colonels/page/5/#findComment-5282281

David will slay Goliath!

On 3/28/2026 at 2:05 PM, theguru said:

Quote from the CovCath thread by Cov_Cath_Hwy:

"Early prediction…..if we keep Elder’s QB Estep in-check and bring the same fight to Highlands we brought last year, we will run the table in the regular season…..yes, that means beating Elder."

https://bluegrasspreps.com/forums/topic/256990-2026-covington-catholic-colonels/page/5/#findComment-5282281

That’s a good one. He should be a comedian. 

Elder has a D1 qb he should be very good.

13 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Elder has a D1 qb he should be very good.

Yes committed to Miami University.

14 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Elder has a D1 qb he should be very good.

He’s outstanding. I think he’ll get on the field very early in Oxford. 

16 hours ago, longballers said:

That’s a good one. He should be a comedian. 

I am in my spare time and there is always 100% truth in the best comedy….we win if we can contain Estep.

1 hour ago, Cov_Cath_Hwy said:

I am in my spare time and there is always 100% truth in the best comedy….we win if we can contain Estep.

WE BELIEVE! LET THE DOUBTERS DOUBT!

On 2/5/2026 at 3:00 PM, DevilMayCare said:

Elder Panthers ? 

?️ The Panthers ended last year's regular season as the top ranked team in Ohio’s largest division and peaked at 12-0 before falling victim to a playoff “bombing” by Cinci’s St. Xavier.

Kaden Estep is the top returning quarterback in the GCL South, a dual threat talent that accrued 3,354 total yards - 2,430 passing/924 rushing - and 25 combined touchdowns.

Chase Walpole was his second favorite target, but still good enough to be the league's third leading receiver.

The biggest issue offensively is replacing four starters from a very good o-line.

The linebacking corp returns well over 200 combined tackles and should be one of Cincinnati’s best units. Brody Turner is the leading returning tackler with 90 stops a season ago. Pete Fortkamp holds an offer from Ohio University after posting 81 tackles and Andrew Paff chipped in an additional 54.

The reigning GCL South champs swept their Kentucky opposition last year, rolling Highlands, fending off a spirited effort by CovCath, and escaping Louisville with a two point win over our St. X. Estep averaged 300 total yards per game in those wins.

All three are back on Elder’s schedule this coming season.

2026 Schedule
8/21 vs. Middletown
8/28 at Covington Catholic 
9/4 vs. St. Leon East Central (IN)
9/11 vs. Cincinnati La Salle
9/18 vs. Louisville St. Xavier (KY)
9/25 vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier
10/2 at Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller
10/9 at Fort Thomas Highlands (KY)
10/16 vs. Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (IN)

As of this post, Elder is still searching for a 10th game.

Elder has added a home game against Mt. Zion Prep out of Lanham, Maryland on October 23rd. They played Mt. Zion last year in their season opener, beating the Warriors 34-0.

2026 Schedule
Aug 21 vs. Middletown (OH)
Aug 28 at Covington Catholic (KY) 
Sep 4 vs. St. Leon East Central (IN)
Sep 11 vs. LaSalle (OH) *
Sep 18 vs. St. Xavier (KY)
Sep 25 vs. St. Xavier (OH) *
Oct 2 at Moeller (OH) *
Oct 9 at Highlands (KY)
Oct 16 vs. Bishop Chatard (IN)
Oct 23 vs. Mt. Zion Prep (MD)

* Greater Catholic League-South Conference Game

Elder should be very good this season. I know it’s not uncommon for the GCL teams to beat one another, even when one seems quite better. I’m still surprised that X beat them in the playoffs last season though. 

On 3/30/2026 at 10:25 AM, CCHFC said:

He’s outstanding. I think he’ll get on the field very early in Oxford. 

IMO will have Big 10 starter tools once he gets closer to 200 lbs (similar to Colandrea at Nebraska). Durability is obviously a concern at that weight, but his arm strength is outstanding for being 160 lbs and he will have 3 years of starting experience often playing against more talented opponents in Ohio D1. Will be a huge challenge for Cov Cath and Highlands.