BARNUM— Ely’s offensive struggles continued here last Thursday even as their passing attack showed signs of life under freshman quarterback Max Brandriet. It would take more than signs of life, however, for the Wolves to overcome the unbeaten Bombers, and Ely fell as expected 39-8.
“They’re really good,” said Ely Head Coach Louis Gerzin. “It’s a well-run program with a lot of athletic kids.” Barnum wasted little time in demonstrating why they were sitting at 7-0 ahead of this week’s final game of the regular season. They scored nearly at will in the first half, racking up a 33-0 lead as of the half.
Ely’s opening kickoff in the second half seemed to suggest lady luck might turn their way as the kick bounced off the chest of a Barnum player, only to be recovered by the Wolves. But like so many such opportunities this season, Ely just couldn’t take advantage. Against Barnum it was a nearly impenetrable defensive line that kept the Wolves bottled up all evening.
Ely did find some success in the air, particularly late in the third quarter when Brandriet connected on two short passes for a first down before finding freshman receiver Alex Merriman scampering toward the end zone. The 50-yard strike hit home and Merriman ran it in for Ely’s lone touchdown, followed by a successful conversion on a short Brandriet to Merriman pass play.
Brandriet would connect on another long pass later in the contest but the Wolves couldn’t finish the drive.
Brandriet notched 111 yards passing, his best performance of the season thus far. Merriman added 81 yards receiving, while Danny Daniels caught passes good for 27 yards. Barnum added another six points in the final stanza to round out the scoring, leaving the Wolves at 1-6 on the season as they were set to host 4-3 Mille Lacs on their final regular season contest on Wednesday, after the Timberjay’s weekly presstime.