[Eric Frantz]

Cincinnati Elder (4-5)

* Players to Watch – OL Nick Custer (6-4, 275, sr.), OL/DL T.C. Klusman (6-4, 275, sr.), DT Rakhim Johnson (6-0, 215, sr.), WR Jeff Vorherr (6-2, 204, sr.), QB Ben Gramke (6-1, 180. Sr.)

* Outlook – The Panthers almost made the playoffs last year with a losing record but fell just short and finished ninth in computer points. Head coach Doug Ramsey is starting his 15th year at Elder and looks to have another team capable of adding to the program’s storied tradition. Elder won back-to-back state titles in 2002-03 and made the state final again in 2008. The Panthers advanced to the state semifinals in 2009. Klusman is a Louisville commit and Custer is headed to Miami (Oh). Johnson was first team GCL South last year. Gramke (1,488 passing yards, 12 TDs) and Vorherr (35 catches, 454 yards, two TDs) were second team GCL. Overall, Elder returns seven starters on each side of the ball, including four on the OL.