By Marissa VanWingen
Ellsworth Community College came out clicking on all cylinders Saturday in the ICCAC opener. The defense forced a three and out and the offense capitalized on that momentum to take a lead. The advantage dissipated as the No. 14 Iowa Central (5-3) scored 21 unanswered points and pulled away for a 55-23 decision.
The score was even at 7-7 after the first quarter. The Tritons did not move the ball a yard on their opening drive and then shanked the punt giving ECC 51 yards to score. The hosts did just that in six plays, capped off by an 11-yard run by Deandre Rutherford for the touchdown. Ben Denton's point after made the score 7-0.
Iowa Central responded with 4:44 left in the period on an eight play drive for 78-yards.
The visitors scored three touchdowns in the second period, making it a 28-10 difference at the break. The Panthers did get on the board late in the quarter. After a Rutherford 15-yard touchdown was called back due to holding, ECC could not cross the goal line but a 31-yard field goal made it 21-10 with 35 seconds left to go before the break.
On the next offensive play, the Tritons responded with a 70-yard pass.
ECC cut into the difference in the third quarter with a 33-yard pass from Armoud Seals to a wide open Donte Ferrell. Iowa Central was able to pull away with two more scores in the period. Seals and Ferrell connected one more time in the game to open the fourth quarter.
The Panthers have 390 yards on offense, including 210 on the ground. Rutherford finished the game with 136 yards and a 6.5 yard per carry average. Turnovers continue to hinder the ECC offense, with three interceptions and one lost fumble.
The challenging foes continue through the rest of the regular season as the Panthers finish out the year on the road at No. 10 Coffeyville and second-ranked Iowa Western.
For more photos from the game, visit https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fgallery%2f&c=E,1,4F1mw7N48v6CqEL3gmH8vBIMqhBBMsol8mUZBbe5Ljv4Lw9D1bebisAh4fe42EzrG3hY7OQESU11uv511nZ-TvhsO0L4K-Ri7wtUCnnwjIfk&typo=1
55 23
Saturday at Iowa Falls
ICCC: 7| 21| 20| 7 – 55
ECC: 7| 3| 7| 6 – 23
Scoring Summary:
First Quarter:
ECC: 12:09 Deandre Rutherford 11 yd run (Ben Denton PAT)
ICCC: 4:44 Demarcus Creecy 6 yd run (PAT)
Second Quarter:
ICCC: 9:11 Anthony Hall 14 yd run (PAT)
ICCC: 2:24 Trevon Taylor 26 yd pass to Kamare Williams (PAT)
ECC: 35.6 Denton 31 yd field goal
ICCC: 19.5 Creecy 70 yd pass to Sejhe Jackson (PAT)
Third Quarter:
ICCC: 11:06 Ty Purdy 13 yd pass to Darrion Gilliam (PAT)
ECC: 8:55 Armoud Seals 33 yd pass to Donte Ferrell (PAT)
ICCC: 4:23 Ahmad Grayer blocked punt (PAT)
ICCC: 2:21 Marcellus Chandler 5 yd run (PAT)
Fourth Quarter:
ECC: 13:48 Seals 39 yd pass to Ferrell (PAT blocked)
ICCC: 5:55 Chandler 5 yd run (PAT)
ECC Stats:
Passing: Armoud Seals 8-14 121 yds, 2TDs, INT; Drew Paulakovich 4-8 35 yds, 2INT; Landen Mickelson 2-5 24 yds.
Rushing: Deandre Rutherford 21-136 yds, TD; Seals 10-40 yds; Mickelson 2-26 yds; Tyvon Cade 1-8 yds.
Receiving: Donte Ferrell 2-74 yds, 2TDs; Rutherford 3-44 yds; Shane Helmick 3-28 yds; Nick Stevenson 2-27 yds; Omarion Lewis 1-19 yds; Jesse Abruscati 1-6 yds; Ryan Sinnott 1-5 yds; Aaron Logan 1-4 yds.
Tackles: Jamir Brown 12; Dorius Smith 11; Vsani Scott 9; Nevin Poppy 8; DeShawn Ricks 8.
