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Big stakes in season-end showdown

Ely and North Woods to rumble in regular season finale next Wednesday

Patrick Slack
Posted 10/12/16

REGIONAL - Both sides still have one game to play before it happens, but regardless of the outcome, it is going to be a titanic clash.

Currently unbeaten Ely and North Woods, both 6-0, will meet …

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Big stakes in season-end showdown

Ely and North Woods to rumble in regular season finale next Wednesday

Posted

REGIONAL - Both sides still have one game to play before it happens, but regardless of the outcome, it is going to be a titanic clash.

Currently unbeaten Ely and North Woods, both 6-0, will meet in Cook on Wednesday at 7 p.m., with huge stakes on the line.

At the moment, the two schools are atop Section 7-Nine Man’s QRF rankings, making them strong favorites to contend for a trip to state.

The winner of the showdown will likely grab the section’s top seed, and with it a first-round bye into the semifinals.

The chance at a perfect regular season could very well be in play for both teams also, in addition to momentum heading into the postseason.

The two teams have been a near mirror image of one another this season, using powerful ground attacks and stifling defenses to put games away early.

Neither has experienced a serious challenge late into a game, with North Woods walloping opponents by a combined score of 231-64 and Ely by a total of 218-40. Both sides have even had an opponent forfeit.

Furthermore, bragging rights will be up for grabs. Ely topped North Woods 49-6 last year to close out the regular season. Two years ago it was North Woods winning 36-8.

Regardless of the outcome, the two teams could very well meet again in a few weeks, with even more on the line: a trip to state.

Before the meeting, both teams still have one more game to go. North Woods was slated to host Northeast Range on Thursday, with Ely hosting Mountain Iron-Buhl tonight.