ELY— It took just ten seconds for the Timberwolves to score what proved to be the winning touchdown here in a defense-dominated home contest that notched Ely’s first victory of the season.
Wolves senior Deegan Richards took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown against a stunned South Ridge defense. Moments later, Richards took the snap from center and connected with Jayden Zemke for the two-point conversion, and those proved to be the last points of the game as the Wolves went on to win 8-0.
“It’s the first game I can remember where all the points were scored on the first play of the game,” said Ely Head Coach Louie Gerzin.
Gerzin has talked up Ely’s special teams all season, as they’ve consistently left the Wolves with good field position. It’s been the Wolves’ inability to take advantage of that field position thus far that has left them at 1-2 on the season.
Friday’s matchup proved they still have a way to go, as they tallied an anemic 97 yards of offense the rest of the night. “We just couldn’t find a way to get the ball moving,” Gerzin added.
He gave South Ridge credit for keeping Ely under wraps. “They were definitely athletic up front,” he said.
Ely’s defense allowed a few more yards but not where it counted as they kept the Panthers off-balance, mostly shutting down the run. “Our defensive backs did an excellent job of coverage as well,” said Gerzin, allowing Ely’s defenders to harass, and occasionally sack, the South Ridge quarterback much of the night. “They had a lot of third and longs,” said Gerzin.
The Wolves racked up some impressive stats on defense. Senior Chase Anderson and junior Garrett Rohr tallied nine tackles apiece, while senior Gavin Marshall, freshman Alex Merriman, and junior Brady Eaton each posted seven. Richards tallied five tackles and deflected a pass and Braydon Mosher added four tackles. Sophomore Jayden Zemke added two tackles and a pass deflection.
Ely sophomore Jesse Oelke proved the offensive workhorse in the backfield for the Wolves, notching 52 yards rushing. Richards, as quarterback, picked up six yards rushing and completed three passes for 15 yards and the conversion. Gerzin said the team was focused on offensive solutions all week as they prepare for their Friday night contest at Chisholm.