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Ely blanks Northeast Range
Wolves’ defense has yet to allow opponents a point this season
ELY—Defense. That pretty much tells the story so far this season for the Timberwolves, who have yet to allow opponents a single point through their first two match-ups. After blanking Deer River …
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Ely blanks Northeast Range
Wolves’ defense has yet to allow opponents a point this season
ELY—Defense. That pretty much tells the story so far this season for the Timberwolves, who have yet to allow opponents a single point through their first two match-ups. After blanking Deer River 6-0 in their season opener, Ely unleashed its offense this week against Northeast Range en route to a 46-0 shellacking of their conference rival last Friday.
They did it with a running attack too hot for the Nighthawks to handle, as they racked up 316 yards on 56 total rushes, for an average of nearly six yards per carry.
The Nighthawks were never able to get their offense going and the game was largely out of reach early as the Wolves racked up 38 points before the break.
“Ely played solid defense all game long,” said Nighthawks Head Coach Mark Fabish. “And game-ending injuries to two captains in the first quarter did not help our cause at all.”
Ely sophomore Eli Conaway had a huge night, rushing ten times for 133 yards and three touchdowns and a conversion to lead the Wolves on offense. Nate Netiffee picked up 47 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Blaise Lah gained 46 yards and a touchdown on ten carries. Ely had little need to go to the air, and senior quarterback Carter Gaulke passed just once, for 20 yards. He also picked up 20 yards and a conversion on five carries.
On defense, Conaway led the way again, with 13 tackles, followed by Blaise Lah with eight, and Thomas Montana and Colin Seliskar, who tallied seven apiece. Tjae Banks recovered two Northeast Range fumbles.
Despite his team’s success, Ely Head Coach Brian Lamppa saw room for improvement. “We still need to work on blocking and our assignments,” said Lamppa. “We have to tackle better on defense.”
Offense was limited for Northeast Range, but Zach Anderson and Jacob Hvezda were both standouts on defense, recording 20 tackles apiece.
Ely improves to 2-0 on the season ahead of a road contest at Lake of the Woods this Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
Meanwhile the Nighthawks host Cook County this Friday at 3:15 p.m. “Cook County is perhaps the best team on our schedule,” said Fabish. “I expect them to be tough.”
