St. Xavier nearly pulled off a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, but the Bombers fell short in a 23–13 loss to Elder in GCL South play.

The Panthers struck first just before the end of the opening quarter when quarterback Kaden Estep connected with Jackson Ruth on an 18-yard touchdown. Elder extended its lead in the second frame after recovering a Bomber fumble deep in St. X territory. Though the Bomber defense held firm inside the 5-yard line, Elder's Adam Re drilled a 20-yard field goal to make it 10–0. Later in the quarter, a 49-yard strike from Estep set up another Re field goal, and Elder went to the locker room ahead 13–0.

The Bombers struggled to capitalize on opportunities in the red zone during the first half, including a blocked 25-yard field goal attempt midway through the second quarter.

After halftime, Elder pushed its advantage to 16–0 with another Re field goal, this one from 21 yards out.

St. X roared back to life in the fourth quarter. Daniel Vollmer found Christian MacDonald for a 64-yard touchdown, breaking the shutout and cutting the deficit to 16–6. Minutes later, after a defensive stand, quarterback Jackson Frey capped a quick drive with a 13-yard touchdown run, pulling the Bombers within 16–13 with 4:19 remaining.

But Elder responded with a decisive drive. Running back Tommy Becker ripped off a 41-yard gain before punching it in from two yards out to seal the Panthers' 23–13 victory.

Frey threw for over 200 yards, connecting with Alex McClatchey on a 67-yard pass and finding Jake Britt for multiple key gains. Vollmer added the long touchdown strike and picked up tough yards on the ground. Defensively, Kobe Clapper and Brayden Reilly led the charge, with Clapper recording double-digit tackles and Reilly making several key stops.

With the loss, St. Xavier falls to 4–2 overall and 0–2 in GCL South play. The Bombers will look to bounce back and turn their late-game spark into four quarters of execution as they welcome Trinity from Louisville to RDI Stadium this friday