ELY – An explosive Rangers offensive was too hot for Ely to handle here last Friday as Mt. Iron-Buhl routed the Timberwolves 72-6. It was a repeat performance for the now 2-0 Rangers, who crushed Hill City in their season opener, 74-6.
Rangers quarterback Asher Zubich put on a virtual passing clinic in the early going, as he found senior tight end Hunter Weigel for four touchdown passes in the first half. The Rangers added to their scoring bonanza with a five-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Damian Tapio and another scoring pass from Zubich to junior receiver Riley Busch. Zubich also scampered for a 65-yard score.
Ely’s Erron Anderson put six points on the board before the half ended with a four-yard run. But by then, the Timberwolves were facing a 58-6 deficit.
The Rangers added two more touchdowns in the second half. Zubich ran in his second score of the night from 35 yards out in the third quarter, and backup quarterback sophomore Colton Gallus ran in from 24 yards in the fourth quarter.
Despite the rough outing, Ely Head Coach Louis Gerzin found some silver linings. “We played against a really good Mt. Iron team,” he said, and noted that junior running back Anderson continues to grow in the position. “Erron had 110 yards rushing and the touchdown this week. He also played well defensively.”
Gerzin said sophomore linebacker Gavin Marshall “made some nice plays,” and added that Deegan Richards, another sophomore linebacker, and junior quarterback and defensive safety Mason Davis both played well on defense. “Those four stood out on defense against MIB,” he said.
Jakson Hegman, Eddie Prijatel, and Richards, all recorded seven tackles apiece. Chase Sandberg had a quarterback sack and Harry Simons added an interception.
Ely was set to play at Bigfork on Friday afternoon with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. Gerzin said the earlier start time for the game was due to officiating crew shortages. The Timberwolves return home on Friday, Sept. 24 to host Cherry.