Wolves crush in ‘Babbitt Bowl’

BABBITT- High school football returned to Joe Boffa Field for the first time in six years on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and Ely marked the occasion with its first win of the season, rolling past East Central 50-7 in the “Babbitt Bowl.”
The Timberwolves, who combine players from Ely and Northeast Range, built a 34-0 halftime lead and finished with 283 rushing yards to break into the win column after six losses. East Central also entered the matchup at 0-6.
Ely wasted little time getting its offense going. After East Central’s unsuccessful onside kick to open the game, DJ Johnson connected with Sean Merriman for 40 yards on the Wolves’ first snap. Two plays later, Gunnar Skager scored on a 10-yard run.
Merriman broke loose for a 55-yard touchdown run later in the first quarter as the Wolves took control early.
Tyde Brecke helped Ely widen the gap with touchdown runs of 12 and 60 yards in the first half. He also caught a scoring pass from Owen Marolt late in the second quarter, giving the Wolves a commanding halftime advantage.
Ely continued to produce on the ground in the second half. Brecke scored on a 42-yard run in the third quarter for his fourth touchdown of the game, and Leo McKrahl also added a touchdown after halftime. The game went to running time in the fourth quarter, when East Central scored its lone touchdown.
Brecke led Ely’s rushing attack with 121 yards, while Merriman gained 69 and Skager added 57.
Johnson completed five passes for 90 yards, with Merriman accounting for 67 receiving yards. Kooper Dostert caught two passes, while Marolt and Brecke each had one reception.