GRAND MARAIS— Something finally clicked for the Timberwolves in the second half of last Friday’s contest here against Cook County. After managing just 20 points in their previous ten quarters of Section 7A football, Ely exploded for 36 points in the second half, and took the lead with less than a minute to go.
Yet even as their offense finally found its groove, Ely’s normally stingy defense couldn’t put it away. They gave up a game-tying touchdown with just thirty seconds remaining to send the game into overtime, where the Vikings pulled it out 58-50.
The Wolves looked hot early as they put eight points on the board in their opening drive. Senior quarterback Gunnar Hart hit senior runningback Jason Kerntz on a 75-yard pass play for six, followed by the two-point conversion. But Ely’s lead didn’t last long as Cook County responded, putting up two touchdowns in the remainder of the quarter while Ely’s offense went silent.
By the break, the Wolves were trailing 24-8 and it looked like a repeat of the team’s first two games of the season.
It didn’t help that Hart went out on an injury early in the first half. He tried to return later, but came out shortly after due to pain. That left junior runningback Deegan Richards taking the snaps the rest of the way.
The Wolves made their adjustments over the half and that’s when the team’s offense finally hit its stride. “We came out hot in the second half,” said Ely Head Coach Louie Gerzin. The Wolves scored back-to-back touchdowns to close the gap, but Cook County caught them napping on their next possession, tripping them up on a reverse that gave the Vikings a bit of breathing room. It didn’t last long as Kerntz grabbed the ensuing kickoff and ran it in for another six.
The Wolves picked up two more touchdowns in the remainder of the half, their final score in regulation put them up by six with just 44 seconds to go.
“I think our runningbacks were running hard and our line was blocking really well, and I think we kind of wore them down,” said Gerzin in trying to explain Ely’s sudden offensive turnaround.
Unfortunately, it was Ely’s defense that couldn’t get the job done. An errant kickoff gave the Vikings good field position with 40 seconds to go, and two plays and just ten seconds later, they punched another six on a deep pass play that sent the game into overtime.
Cook County scored in the first overtime period, but the Wolves headed off the conversion, and they scored on their first possession to send the game into double overtime. It was rinse and repeat for Cook County, but Ely failed to hit the end zone. “I have to hand it to Cook County. They put up a very good defensive front to keep us from scoring,” said Gerzin.
That left the Wolves to face the long drive home thinking about what might have been.
“What made the difference was three plays, three reverses when we kind of blew our assignments,” said Gerzin. “We’ve just got to be ready.”
Kerntz had a huge night for the Wolves despite the loss, scoring 36 of Ely’s points, including five touchdowns and three two-point conversions. He rushed for 129 yards, 102 passing yards, along with a 65-yard kickoff return.
Senior Erron Anderson rushed for 90 yards, including two touchdowns and a conversion. Hart connected on a 73-yard touchdown pass to Kerntz before he left the game. Deegan Richards passed for 29 yards in relief.
Senior Jakson Hegman led in tackles with 8.5, while sophomore Alex Merriman tallied six tackles and a sack. Junior Gavin Marshall added 6.5 tackles and broke up a pass, while Richards broke up six passes and notched 4.5 tackles. Junior Chase Anderson posted three tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery.
The 0-3 Wolves were set to visit Mt. Iron-Buhl on Friday to take on the Rangers. They’ll be home Friday, Oct. 7, to host North Central.