By Marissa VanWingen
In their 2025 home opener, Ellsworth Community College fell 51-14 to Independence Community College.
The Panther defense opened the game forcing a three and out, but the offense was unable to capitalize on that. A sack of quarterback Drew Paulakovich moved the hosts behind the sticks and forced them to punt the ball away.
Independence moved the ball on their second drive but stalled before attempting a long field goal that was no good and giving ECC a short field. A bad snap pushed the Panthers deep in their own territory and once again resulted in no points.
The visitors scored on their next drive, with two plays of over 20 yards. ECC then turned the ball over on their own 34. Once again the Panther defense bailed them out, forcing a turnover on downs on their nine-yard line, but a bad snap went through the back of the end zone and resulted in a safety. Independence took that kick off and scored on a 53-yard pass to lead 16-0. Independence added to their advantage in the second quarter, scoring three more touchdowns before the break to go into the half leading 37-0.
The Panthers had a chance to score before the half and moved the ball down the field. However, a fumble just outside the redzone turned the ball over and the Pirates turned that into points.
The hosts reached the end zone for the first time in the game in the third period. Landen Mickelson found Donte Ferrell wide open as he sprinted in for a 64-yard touchdown and the point after made it a 37-7 difference.
Another ECC turnover, this one an interception, set up Independence's next score – a 33- yard pass on the first play from scrimmage by the backup quarterback Nathan Neal. Just 30 seconds later, the Panthers responded. On a handoff to Deandre Rutherford, the sophomore back ate up 27 yards to set his team up inside the 20. Then Mickelson had his second touchdown, hitting Kaleb Ngwendson in the end zone for six. The Pirates would score on their next drive, keeping the ball on the ground for most of the drive to record the final touchdown of the contest.
ECC recorded 289 yards of total offense compared to the Pirates 488 yards. While the four different signal callers recorded 21 completions for 231 yards and both touchdowns, the backfield tallied just 58 yards rushing in the contest. Mickelson finished with 116 yards, both touchdowns and an interception at quarterback. Rutherford tallied five carries for 29 yards. The Panthers are open this weekend and then return to the gridiron on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Butler. Their next home game is Saturday, Sept. 27 against Garden City.
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Independence 51, Ellsworth 14 Saturday at Iowa Falls
ECC: 0| 0| 14| 0 – 14 ICC: 16| 21| 14| 0 – 41
Scoring Summary:
First Quarter: ICC: 7:47 Keegan Anderson 23 yd pass to Pene Vaisagote (PAT) ICC: 5:11 Safety ICC: 3:26 Anderson 53 yd pass to Ejani Shakir (PAT)
Second Quarter: ICC: 12:26 Jimarion Guyton 4 yd run (PAT) ICC: 5:31 Anderson 20 yd pass to James Resar (PAT) ICC: 17.9 Anderson 60 yd pass to Shakir (PAT)
Third Quarter: ECC: 10:07 Landen Mickelson 64 yd pass to Donte Ferrell (Ben Denton PAT) ICC: 8:08 Nathan Neal 33 yd pass to Kedan Johnson (PAT) ECC: 7:28 Mickelson 14 yd pass to Kaleb Ngwendson (PAT) ICC: 1:27 Ivan Johnson 3 yd run (PAT)
ECC Stats:
Passing: Landen Mickelson 6-17 116 yds, 2TDs, INT; Drew Paulakovich 11-17 95 yds; Armoud Seals 4-10 20 yds; Devin Holman 0-2.
Rushing: Deandre Rutherford 5-29 yds; Seals 4-23 yds; Damien Hauglie 2-6 yds.
Receiving: Donte Ferrell 3-90 yds, TD; Jesse Abruscati 5-64 yds; Kaleb Ngwendson 2-29 yds, TD; Rutherford 1-14 yds; Aaron Logan 3-12 yds; Keondre Woodward Broaddus 2-8 yds; Nick Stevenson 3-7 yds; Nolan Perrien 1-6 yds; Terran Gosselink 1-4 yds; Elijah Berg 1-2 yds.
Tackles: Kye Broucher 9; David Pettway 8; Dorius Smith 7; Blessing Igbinedion 7.
