ELY— The Timberwolves evened their season record at 1-1 on Friday as they outpaced East Central 14-8 in their home opener here. “It was a good game,” said Ely Head Coach Louie Gerzin. “From the git-go, our boys came ready to play.”
Ely drew first blood with a touchdown in the first quarter as runningback Alex Merriman took it in from four yards out. “He just put his shoulder down and kept his feet moving,” said Gerzin. Jesse Oelke added the conversion to put the Wolves up 8-0.
The Eagles came back early in the second with a drive that knotted the score at eight. Despite chances, neither team added points heading into the break.
But the Wolves emerged from the locker room ready to win and added their second touchdown of the evening midway through the third quarter when quarterback Sean Merriman took it in from one-yard out. Minus the failed conversion, the score staked Ely to a 14-8 lead, which they never relinquished.
Friday’s contest was a considerable turnaround from the team’s season opening shellacking at the hands of I-Falls. “Play on the offensive line was much improved,” noted Gerzin. “We worked on that a lot this week.” Gerzin said the addition of senior Garrett Rohr at offensive guard helped the Wolves control the line more effectively.
Ely’s offense also proved more effective against the Eagles, led by Alex Merriman, who rushed for 139 yards including the touchdown. Sean Merriman notched a 20-yard pass completion to Oelke along with a two-point conversion.
Oelke had a big night defensively as well, posting nine tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Alex Merriman added eight tackles, while Brady Eaton posted seven. Garrett Rohr tallied five tackles while Sean Merriman added four and broke up two passes.
The Wolves will be looking to improve to 2-1 on Friday when they head to South Ridge to take on the Panthers.