Elder beats Highlands, looks to neighborhood rival next

Elder's win over Highlands may have been ugly on Friday night, but Super Bowl champion coach Bill Cowher once said, "So what if we won ugly?" Precisely. Who cares how many yards Elder got on the ground, or in the air, or how the refs called the game. Elder fans should be happy with a win. Even if it was ugly.

Elder's 136 yards of total offense may seem like nothing for a 21 point output, but two of Elder's scoring drives were 19 yards and 5 yards. To be honest, I'll take 24 yards and 14 points any day of the year. It may be true that Elder's offense will need to start clicking here before the Herbstriet Classic and the rigorous GCL schedule, but this week may be the week it starts going.

Which brings us to this week's game against local rival Oak Hills. The Highlanders last beat Elder in 1986, yet every year they circle the date of the Elder game on the calendar. The Highlander's new coaching staff, led by head coach Kurry Commins, has breathed new life into the players and the program. This year's game against Elder is so big the Oak Hills weight room was adorned with a countdown clock, counting down the days, minutes, and seconds until the Elder game kicks off.

Last year one Oak Hills player guaranteed a 21 point victory in the paper. Elder's worst team in nearly 20 years beat the Highlanders 42-16. There is no doubt they will use that game, as well as the past 20 years as motivation. But will they pull off the win? It should be a good game, and its being played at the best place in America to watch a high school football game; Elder's famed stadium, nicknamed "The Pit". It sends chills down your spine just thinking about it, well at least it does for most Elder fans.

If you're interested in seeing two neighborhood rivals duke it out on the gridiron Friday night, get a ticket, come on out, and enjoy the show. It won't disappoint you, and that's a guarantee.