Elder Region Champs Again

Mark Miller threw for four touchdowns as Elder (10-2) held off a very game Anderson (12-1) squad 28-21 to win their second straight regional title in front of 12,300 at Nippert Stadium.

Tim O'Conner was on the receiving end of two of those tosses. It wasn't the prettiest of prize fights, but it was well worth the price of admission.

"I chalk it up to everyone around me. I personally don't think I played that well, but everyone around me makes everyone better," a humbled Miller insisted.

Elder jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead behind the senior's arm as he connected for scores with Alex Welch, O'Conner and Selby Chidemo. Miller completed 18 of his 25 passes for 203 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Anderson would show their intestinal fortitude though by answering the call with their signature smash-mouth style on offense.

Running back Kyle Slater scored from two yards out to make it 21-7. That's the way the half would end. The Redskins senior ended up running for 82 yards on 20 totes in the first half.

Things went from bad to worse for Anderson to start the second half. Slater separated his shoulder and would not return to the game. Elder was just one score away from blowing this thing wide open. That would not happen.

Anderson quarterback Brandon Bornhauser used his legs to keep his team in the game as he pulled the Redskins to within a score at 21-14 in the third quarter. The offensive line was beginning to assert itself.

The game was starting to see players on each side of the ball ripping off eight to 12 yards per carry. Anderson would run for 382 yards on the night. Elder's Ben Coffaro kept the sticks and clock moving, running 26 times for 146 yards.

The game went into the fourth quarter when for the second time Miller found O' Conner from 14 yards out. That made it 28-14 in the fourth.

"Mark made some great plays," O'Conner said. "He had a great game and our receivers just got open for him" said a grateful O'Conner after the victory."

Anderson would answer the bell. Bornhauser would score again on a five-yard run to make it 28-21 with under four minutes left. The senior would end up with 193 yards rushing on 23 carries and the two scores. His legs were his asse,t but his arm would fail him as he completed just two of 10 passes and four interceptions on the night. The turnovers were the knockout blow the Elder defense delivered.

With one opportunity left the fourth and final nail in the coffin was when Panthers' defensive back Alex Taylor picked off Bornhauser at the Anderson 35. Elder would run out the clock. They advance to take on Hilliard Davidson next Saturday night.

"We are playing our best football of the year right now. We are playing like the first five games of the season and that was our goal coming into the playoffs," said Elder linebacker Jake Lindsey, who is on top of his game right now.

The junior had and an interception and recorded double figures in tackles for the third straight post-season game. Like the rest of his teammates there is a consensus of not being satisfied with what they have accomplished.

There is room to get better and that is a scary though if you are and Elder foe from here on out because they are hitting on all cylinders right now.