St. Xavier High School and Elder High School have battled on the gridiron since 1926. Many of those 101 clashes have come down to the game's last possession. Friday night was going to be no different. As the game unfolded on Dwire field at Atrium Stadium in Mason, it was clear that these two schools were going to play until the final whistle. Meeting for the fifth time in the Ohio High School Athletic Association's Playoffs, a chance to play in the Region Four, Regional Finals next week was at stake.
Elder was first to put points on the scoreboard with their first possession of the night. St. Xavier's defense was resolved to make sure that senior quarterback Matthew Luebbe was not the determining factor in the game. The dual threat quarterback from Elder, hurt the Bombers in week five with his feet. The Panthers sensing the Bomber's game plan, immediately took to the air. Senior wide receiver and Ohio State commit Joe Royer was going to be the main target. Luebbe completed passes to three receivers but it was Royer who crossed the goal line with a 17-yard reception. Senior kicker Sam Harmeyer added the extra point to put the Panthers ahead 7 – 0.
Elder tried to confuse the Bombers' special teams by trying an onside kick right after their first touchdown. Senior defensive back Jacob Zisko caught the line drive kick and put the St. Xavier offense in great field position returning the ball to the Elder 46-yard line. Senior quarterback Matthew Rueve hit senior wide receiver Owen Smith for 24 yards. Back to back false start penalties pushed the Bomber offense back ten yards. After two successful scrambles, Rueve forwarded the Bombers 11-yards to the Elder 21. Rueve then completed a pass to senior tight end and Northwestern commit Marshal Lang for 11 yards. Rueve and company were knocking on Elder's door. However, St. Xavier's first trip into the red zone ended in an Elder interception in the end zone.
The Bombers defense returned the interception favor on Elder's next possession. Senior safety Drew Klas made a spectacular interception at the St. Xavier five-yard line squashing Elder's hopes for putting more points on the board.
Both defenses bent but did not give up any more scores to end the first quarter and most of the second quarter. At the 8:25 mark in the second quarter, the Bombers put together a quick scoring drive. Senior running back Kellen Newman ran the ball five times including a 47-yard "downhill" run. He found the Elder's endzone on a three-yard plunge. Sophomore placekicker Mason Rohmiller converted the extra point to knot the score at 7. The 6200 fans in attendance were in for a thriller.
The first half ended with both teams sparing like two heavy weight prize fighters. Elder won the opening coin toss and elected to receive to start the second half. Both veteran coaching staffs instructed their squads on the details needed to keep their season alive at half time.
The Panthers started their drive on their 25-yard line. A false start penalty pushed the Panthers back to their 20-yard line. On the next play, St. Xavier's defense rose to the occasion. Senior linebacker and punter Noah Taylor sacked Luebbe who fumbled. Junior linebacker Matthew Devine scooped up the fumble and went 18-yards for the St. Xavier score. Another successful Rohmiller extra point and the Bombers took their first lead of the night 14 - 7.
Both offenses stalled on their next two possessions. Junior cornerback Gabriel Dubois' interception was a big part of Elder's struggle. Elder's next possession found the Panthers in Bomber territory. Luebbe connected with the 6'5" Royer for 34-yards and a Harmeyer conversion tied the score at 14.
The Bomber's offense was not going to stand for the score being tied. Putting together another nice drive, with Rueve completing passes to Newman and junior wide receiver Drew Britt. Junior wide receiver and Penn State commit, Liam Clifford made a diving reception for 27-yards to the Elder five-yard line. Elder's defense force St. Xavier to try a field goal. The Bombers made a 26-yard Rohmiller field goal. Bombers ahead again at 17 – 14.
Elder knew they had to match the Bombers in order to stay in the game. Luebbe went to the air successfully and found senior wide receiver Evan Vollmer for a 14-yard TD toss. Another perfect conversion and the Bombers were now trailing by four points, 21 – 17.
With only 58 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the Bombers found themselves in great field position again when senior free safety Tucker Hundley returned the kickoff 22-yards to the St. Xavier 42-yard line. Rueve found Clifford in stride in the middle of the field and the junior wide receiver outran the Elder defenders 54-yards to the end zone. The conversion was good and in just 44 seconds the Bombers retook the lead 24 – 21.
In typical tradition at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the large St. Xavier student body in attendance took off their shirts to support their football classmates with a show of fortitude at 30 degrees. The Elder student body followed suit. Another crazy but true sign of the tremendous rivalry between the two programs.
The Bomber offense made it to the red zone two more times after great stops by the St. Xavier defense to keep Elder's high-powered offense in check. The Bombers were turned away from getting any points. Elder's offense took over with only 3:00 minutes left in the game. The St. Xavier defense held Elder's quarterback to only 55-yards rushing and was in position to put this game away. Elder with their season in the balance were faced with a fourth and two. Luebbe found a hole on the left side of his line and outran the St. Xavier defenders 70 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. Harmeyer's conversion and the Bombers were looking down the barrel of a 28 – 24 score with just 1:14 seconds left in regulation.
Rueve took to the air and sidelines to get the Bombers into Elder territory. Lang made a tremendous catch at the Elder 15-yard line with 9 seconds left. No one, including the support staff in the Press box was sitting. Two incompletions and no time on the clock ended the Bomber heroics.
As disbelief set in for the seniors, all witnessed another St. Xavier-Elder classic that went down to the wire. The graduating seniors left their mark on the Long Blue Line establishing a level of success and commitment for the juniors and underclassman to emulate.
