ELY - The ongoing construction has also made it difficult for the football team, under the direction of second-year head coach Louie Gerzin.
Part of the Wolves’ practice field is not usable because of the construction, and there’s currently no access to the stadium.
Players and coaches are getting to the field on the arena side of the school campus as they begin to get ready for the upcoming scrimmage as well as the season-opener with Cromwell.
Silver Bay dropped its football program so the Timberwolves have an off week for what was supposed to be their season opener on Sept. 2.
AD Tom Coombe said the only team he could find to fill the scheduling hole was in Marshfield, Wis., a school with 10 times the enrollment of Ely
Presuming the field is available, the game will take place on Friday, Sept. 9, at 2 p.m. at Ely School Stadium.
The rare Friday afternoon tilt is scheduled to ensure that officials are available for the game.
About 25 players in grades 9-12 took part in workouts this week, including several from neighboring Northeast Range in Babbitt. The two schools are in the second year of a cooperative agreement for football.
Ely will play a 9-man schedule during the regular season, but the Wolves are classified as an 11-man team because of school enrollment and must play in the 11-man, Section 7A tournament during the postseason. Ely posted a 1-7 record last year.
All-district player Erron Anderson returns for his senior year. Last year he rushed for about 500 yards and 50 yards receiving. On defense he tallied 35 tackles, including four sacks.
Jason Kerntz returns as a junior following all-district honors in his sophomore year.