Alex Welch (left) a Notre Dame recruit and Timmy O'Conner (right) an Indiana commit in disbelief after Elder's loss on Saturday
These kids had come so far, yet had come up just short. Hilliard Davidson had driven the length of the field in the final three minutes and scored with 33 seconds left on the clock to go up 24-20, the final margin of victory.
Miller, who was an All-State selection at quarterback last season as a junior, threw his final pass over the middle for the 6’7” Welch. The pass was tipped, floated through the air, both Welch and O’Conner had a shot at it, but it was corralled by a Davidson defender, game over.
“I feel bad for our seniors; they held this team together,” Elder head coach Doug Ramsey said. "I really wish we had a chance to get back to Canton. What a great group of kids. You look at guys like Mark Miller and Timmy O’Conner and Alex Welch, you just go on and on. It’s sad that this is their last game together. … They had great careers here.”
Even though my role with this Elder program has diminished since my graduation, I have had the privilege of continuing my role as a stats guy throughout my collegiate career. And as we rode on the bus back from Dayton I began to think that even though every high school kid in that bus was unhappy, I was very proud of these guys and how they handled themselves in victory and defeat.
The stats crew in all our glory up in Elder's pressbox
During the fourth game of the season, on the first offensive snap for the Panthers, offensive lineman Pete Bachman (brother of one of my UC co-workers, Joe) broke both bones in his lower leg. Bachman was a standout on the offensive line, and even though Elder rallied to beat Lakewood St. Edward, Bachman’s presence would be missed.
During the first offensive snap in week five, out on North Bend Road as the Panthers took on rival St. Xavier, O’Conner dove for a pass and did not get up. His right arm was broken. Two straight weeks, two bad injuries. Elder lost to St. X, then lost the following week to Moeller. The playoff picture was bleak for Elder—who only had nine games scheduled this season.
And although the Panthers banded together and overcame adversity, this loss was still hard to swallow. Ramsey said, “Davidson made a couple more plays than we did. Defensively we just couldn't get off the field.”
Even though it’s hard for each senior to cope with the loss right now, in a few years they’ll come back to Elder, they’ll see that life has gone on without them. The kids who looked up to them and worshipped them on Friday nights will have then suited up in purple and white, and will then be leading Elder toward another state title berth.
Even though the class of 2010 came up short of their goals, they have to realize that they accomplished a lot more than people thought they would after losing Bachman and O’Conner to injury. Elder fans everywhere were afraid that a team with so much talent had to now claw and fight to make the playoffs.
O’Conner provided a spark for the Panthers, coming back from his injury for the playoff run—which included victories over Huber Heights Wayne, St. Xavier and Anderson. “No one gave us a chance to do anything, and then we made it to the state semis,” Ramsey commented post-game.
During the first offensive snap in week five, out on North Bend Road as the Panthers took on rival St. Xavier, O’Conner dove for a pass and did not get up. His right arm was broken. Two straight weeks, two bad injuries. Elder lost to St. X, then lost the following week to Moeller. The playoff picture was bleak for Elder—who only had nine games scheduled this season.
And although the Panthers banded together and overcame adversity, this loss was still hard to swallow. Ramsey said, “Davidson made a couple more plays than we did. Defensively we just couldn't get off the field.”
Even though it’s hard for each senior to cope with the loss right now, in a few years they’ll come back to Elder, they’ll see that life has gone on without them. The kids who looked up to them and worshipped them on Friday nights will have then suited up in purple and white, and will then be leading Elder toward another state title berth.
Even though the class of 2010 came up short of their goals, they have to realize that they accomplished a lot more than people thought they would after losing Bachman and O’Conner to injury. Elder fans everywhere were afraid that a team with so much talent had to now claw and fight to make the playoffs.
O’Conner provided a spark for the Panthers, coming back from his injury for the playoff run—which included victories over Huber Heights Wayne, St. Xavier and Anderson. “No one gave us a chance to do anything, and then we made it to the state semis,” Ramsey commented post-game.
O'Conner and Miller (right) after the game
That’s what this group of kids needs to be proud of. It’s tough to end up short of your goals, it’s tough to realize you could have done better and it’s tough to think that this chapter of their life’s book has been closed. But if I could offer one piece of advice to those young men I got to see grow up this season it would be this: Sometimes finishing second is the best thing for you.
My senior year was the third year I was stats guy for the volleyball team. I was basically a member of the team, even though I didn’t admit it openly. The guys took me under their wing, made sure I was at every team function (including inviting me to team dinners) and even told me I had to take part in the pregame cheer before the state title match.
Me on the field at last year's football state title game
We lost that match in five games. It was a match that one parent called, “The best volleyball I’d ever seen,” even in defeat. When I look back at that season I think about the friendships, the camaraderie and the fun times we shared. Even though we didn’t win it all, we share an experience that few people can relate to.
Sometimes finishing second is better than finishing first. Just ask Mark Martin.It’s yet another reason Mark Martin is my role model. The man keeps plugging away, with a smile on his face. Although you guys from this Elder team may never read this, those of you that have read it know just how proud we all should be of a team that ended up just short of their goals.
Congrats to the men of Elder, you played your hearts out. Congrats to the guys who let me do what I do, the Elder coaches. No one knows how much time and effort you put into this program. Thanks for letting me continue to help out with the statistics. And most of all, thanks to Greg Metz, the man who holds it all together when I’m away. He is the head stats guy, the man in charge of the numbers. The guy who works his tail off to get everything right. He deserves a big thanks too.
Greg (in purple jacket) was called "The glue that holds it all together," by Elder assistant coach Craig James
Until next football season Elder fans, you keep your spirit up and be proud of what this team has accomplished.
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