By Marissa VanWingen
Ellsworth Community College put up 49 points on Central Lakes College and shut the Raiders out defensively for their first win under head coach Matt White.
The Panthers beat CLC in every category. While the offense put up 429 yards of total offense and tallied 28 first downs and 38 points, the defense held the Raiders to -12 yards, nabbed five interceptions (including a pick six) and scored two safeties.
The visitors had a short field to start the game with the CLC attempting an onside kick. Retuning running back Deandre Rutherford carried the ball twice and ate up all 12 yards for the first score of the contest with just 36 seconds off the clock. ECC added another score in the first stanza. A long ball by quarterback Drew Paulakovich hit Donte Ferrell for 50 yards and the 14-0 advantage.
The Panthers erupted in the second stanza for 23 points. After the Raiders nabbed an interception deep in ECC territory, the Panther defense tackled running back Josh Gallashaw in the end zone for a safety. In the final two minutes before the half, ECC scored three times. The first a short two-yard run from Paulakovich. The Panthers had one of their five interceptions and set up Landen Mickelson for his first touchdown of the season, a 13 yard pass to Shane Helmick.
Another CLC turnover, this one a fumbled kickoff, set up Mickelson for his second touchdown of the game, a 15-yard pass to Terran Gosslink and ECC carried a 37-0 advantage into the break.
The scoring slowed down for the visitors, but they still tallied a touchdown, field goal and a safety in the second half. Ben Denton was a perfect six for six in his point after tries for the game and also hit a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter.
The two squads traded turnovers with three interceptions in a row. The third one, resulted in points for the Panthers. Jalen Riley grabbed one of his two picks of the contest and went 40 yards to the house to make it 47-0.
ECC scored the final points of the contest when the Raider signal caller was called for intentional grounding in their own end zone.
With one monkey off his back, White can now turn his attentions to the home opener. The Panthers host Independence Community College on Aug. 30. The Pirates opened the season with a 28-15 loss to Trinity Valley Community College.
For more on ECC Athletics, click here: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fsports%2fecc%2f&c=E,1,NianElZLeqILHn5ftiuLcM29GvnZxzrQBi9Q1TW6xtuCD6KwjXTCM4ECinF9vswHAjtSOotB1ssLm7YXqGTiIyx7orpBEfM80QMR97YMkv4Q7q5iEHng&typo=1
Ellsworth 49, Central Lakes 0
Saturday at Brainerd, Minn.
ECC: 14| 23| 10| 2 49
CLC: 0| 0| 0| 0 0
ECC Scoring:
First Quarter:
14:24 Deandre Rutherford 6 yd run (Ben Denton kick)
7:11 Drew Paulakovich 50 yd pass to Donte Ferrell (Denton kick)
Second Quarter:
6:58 Team Safety
1:54 Paulakovich 2 yd run (Denton kick)
1:13 Landen Mickelson 13 yd pass to Shane Helmick (Denton kick)
0:29 Mickelson 15 yd pass to Terran Gosselink (Denton kick)
Third Quarter:
11:24 Denton 30 yd field goal
3:20 Jalen Riley 40 yd interception return (Denton kick)
Fourth Quarter:
2:04 Team Safety
ECC Stats
Passing: Landen Mickelson 10-16 119 yds, 2TDs, 1INT; Devin Holman 12-21 112 yds, INT; Drew Paulakovich 6-12 96 yds, TD, INT.
Rushing (leaders): Deandre Rutherford 19-83 yds, TD; Damien Hauglie 6-19 yds; Jayden Davison 5-15 yds.
Receiving (leaders): Jesse Abruscati 7-96 yds; Donte Ferrell 3-76 yds, TD; Terran Gosselink 2-41 yds, TD; Ryan Sinnott 3-27 yds; Elijah Berg 2-15 yds; Shane Helmick 1-13 yds, TD; Aaron Logan 3-13 yds; Damien Hauglie 1-12 yds; Nolan Perrien 1-10 yds.