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Cromwell declaws Timberwolves

Top Ely 35-7 in opening round of state tournament

Patrick Slack
Posted 11/14/16

DULUTH - Cromwell-Wright started fast and didn’t look back, topping Ely 35-7 in Friday’s state nine-man quarterfinals in Duluth.

The trouble was nearly instant, as the Cardinals beat the Ely …

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Cromwell declaws Timberwolves

Top Ely 35-7 in opening round of state tournament

Posted

DULUTH - Cromwell-Wright started fast and didn’t look back, topping Ely 35-7 in Friday’s state nine-man quarterfinals in Duluth.

The trouble was nearly instant, as the Cardinals beat the Ely defense for a 64-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage to go ahead 6-0.

The Wolves couldn’t gain any traction on their first possession, forced to punt after a three-and-out.

The Cromwell-Wright returner narrowly avoided muffing the punt, diving out of the way at the last instant to avoid a potential game-shifting turnover.

The Cardinals were unable to score on the following possession, but pinned Ely deep in its own end, where it had to punt again.

Cromwell-Wright managed to capitalize, striking for a short 2-yard touchdown pass and the ensuing two-point conversion to extend its lead to 14-0.

Ely found more of a rhythm on its next drive, getting across midfield before being forced to punt on a fourth-and-2 at the Cardinals’ 47.

A well-placed punt by Dalton Schreffler forced Cromwell-Wright to start from its own 6, but the Cardinals’ offense continued to thrive.

After moving across midfield, the Cardinals struck again through the air on a 43-yard touchdown pass, opening up a 22-0 lead.

Ely threatened to get on the board right before halftime, but had its drive end on an interception of a desperation throw on fourth-and-5 from the Cromwell-Wright 10.

The Cardinals would add two more touchdowns in the second half to go ahead 35-0 before Ely used a deep pass from Carter Gaulke to Evan Omerza to set up a 27-yard Josh Heiman touchdown run.

Junior Felipe Reis added the extra point.

The Wolves finished the season with a 10-1 record and a fourth state tournament appearance in five years.

Seniors on the roster included Augie Richter, Heiman, Omerza, Adam Porthan, Braxton Casey, Izaak Nosbisch, Louie Meskill, Zach Dean, Spencer McEntyre and Mark Killoran.