The Ely Timberwolves will have to be ironmen of sorts this fall.
Short on experience, firepower and sheer numbers, the high school football team will be underdogs in most if not all of their contests this fall, starting with Friday’s season-opener against Barnum at Ely School Stadium.
The Timberwolves are looking to improve after four consecutive one-win seasons, but that may be a tall order, both due to numbers and their opposition.
Ely only has about 25 players in grades 9-12, with a roster heavy on freshmen, and because of school enrollment, the Wolves are classified as a Class AA program.
Cooperative agreements with both Northeast Range and the Vermilion Country School have pushed the Wolves to the higher level, although the schedule includes six Class A opponents among eight games.
Head Coach Louie Gerzin, who begins his fifth season in charge of the program, is taking the obstacles in stride and is optimistic about his team after almost two weeks of practice.
“Things have been pretty good,” said Gerzin. “Of course, there are lower numbers than we’d like, but the group that we have, they are enthusiastic and hard working. It’s been a joy.”
Scoring points may be a challenge for the Wolves again, after they put only 12 touchdowns on the board the entire 2024 season.
The offense will run through junior quarterback Max Brandriet.
“Max is experienced and knows what he’s doing out there,” said Gerzin.
Ely figures to establish a strong ground game, with junior Sean Merriman and senior Jesse Oelke getting the bulk of the carries.
“I think Sean will get big yardage, and then Jesse, ” said Gerzin. “We’ll rely on those guys to drive that ball.”
Jayden Zemke and Summit Smith, both seniors, will anchor the Ely offensive line.
“We’ve got some youth across the line mixed in with those seniors and they’ve been jelling well,” said Gerzin. “Jayden and Summit will lead that charge.”
On defense, the Wolves will count on many of the same names, with Zemke and Oelke anchoring the defense at linebacker and Merriman working out of the strong safety position.
“We’ll rely on those guys to get good reads and go downhill and make some hits,” said Gerzin.
Freshmen are nearly certain to see some time in the Ely lineup, and Gerzin said Parker Niskala, Sawyer Hegman and Trynn Weisinger are three who could make an immediate impact.
“As long as they stay healthy and make some strides, they will be out there,” said Gerzin.
Another senior Makana Bodas, has stepped up and will be a key part of the Ely line on both sides of the ball.
Given the Wolves’ challenges, Gerzin said Ely will rely on a simple formula to try and stay competitive.
“Ball control is going to be important,” said Gerzin. “We’re going to have to maintain control of the football. Defensively if we can win the turnover battle I will like our chances a lot more. We need to just make sure we are doing our assignments and relying on the linemen to hammer blocks.”
The Wolves will be battle- tested all season, with Barnum and International Falls, two much larger programs, serving as the first two opponents.
The slate also includes two strong nine-man programs that have moved to the 11-man ranks this fall - Mt. Iron-Buhl and Cherry.
Chisholm will be Ely’s Fall Homecoming foe on Oct. 3.
