SOUTH RIDGE— Miscues proved Ely’s undoing in a disappointing 18-14 loss here to the Panthers last Friday. The Wolves arrived for the Section 7A contest fresh off a win over East Central, but penalties, fumbles, and interceptions kept the Wolves from putting the Panthers away.
South Ridge put six on the board midway through the second quarter, but the Wolves answered minutes later on a Sean Merriman out-pass to Brady Eaton that was good for six. Max Brandriet notched the conversion to put Ely up top 8-6 heading into the break.
In the third quarter, the Wolves were driving into Panther’s territory when a South Ridge player picked a Merriman pass, returning it 70 yards for a touchdown, to put the Panthers up top 12-8.
Ely went four and out on the next drive, but with South Ridge in possession, Eaton forced a fumble, recovered by Alex Merriman, returning possession to the Wolves. Ely took advantage, with a 55-yard drive ending in a second Eaton touchdown, this time with a fullback run up the middle. The failed conversion left the Wolves on top 14-12.
The margin didn’t stick. On the Panther’s next possession, a missed assignment allowed South Ridge to turn a run up the middle into a 40-yard breakaway for their third touchdown of the night.
The Wolves squandered several possessions that could have put them back on top in the fourth quarter. “We kept shooting ourselves in the foot with drive-stalling penalties,” said Ely Head Coach Louie Gerzin.
It was the second game in a row that Ely’s offense showed an ability to move the ball, even if the team again struggled to find the end zone. Exact stats weren’t available as of press time, according to Gerzin, but he said Alex Merriman led the team in rushing with about 80 yards on the night. Eaton added about 30 yards rushing and 20 yards receiving, including two touchdowns.
Eaton and Jesse Oelke led on defense with 12 tackles apiece, while Alex Merriman added eight tackles.
The Wolves, now 1-2 on the season, were set to host Chisholm Friday night.