CINCINNATI — The St. Xavier football team showed a great deal of resilience late Friday night.
Senior quarterback Chase Herbstreit found junior Daniel Vollmer for a 58-yard touchdown pass connection with 57 seconds left as the visiting Bombers defeated Elder 22-17.
"It's big to win a GCL game," St. X coach Steve Specht said. "It's hard to come into the Pit and walk away with a victory."
St. Xavier (4-2, 1-1 GCL South) trailed 17-16 late in the fourth quarter but the defense stood firm against the Panthers on fourth down in St. X territory.
A few plays later, Herbstreit scrambled to find Vollmer who took the reception and ran down the right sideline for a touchdown.
St. X had 292 yards of offense including 208 yards rushing. Vollmer had scored a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Junior running back Jake Britt had 88 yards rushing. Vollmer had 11 carries for 87 yards.
The game started 30 minutes later than originally scheduled to due the weather conditions around the Greater Cincinnati area. However, the rain had mostly cleared by kickoff.
Elder led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and 10-7 at halftime. St. X jumped ahead 14-10 after Herbstreit scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 7:51 left in the third quarter.
St. X went ahead 16-10 on a safety five minutes later.
Elder went ahead 17-16 after Joey DiTullio scored on a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown with 10:46 left in the fourth quarter after junior Adam Re made the extra point. Re also made a 20-yard field goal earlier in the game.
The storied rivalry continued to be a memorable game for Elder and St. Xavier fans and the school communities. Both teams have opportunities for home playoff games starting Nov. 1.
St. X is No. 8 in the Division I, Region 4 computer points standings. Elder is No. 9.
"These are the games you hate for anybody to lose them," Specht said.
St. X plays at Louisville Trinity Oct. 4. Elder plays Moeller at Nippert Stadium Oct. 4.
Friday night was the 107th meeting between the programs. Elder leads the series 56-45-6.
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