Momentum swung com‑pletely against the Ely Tim‑berwolves with one play, and that proved pivotal in last week’s home-opener at Ely School Stadium.
After driving to the goal line, not only did the Tim‑berwolves come up short, but International Falls returned an interception for 102 yards - swinging things their way in a 21-8 high school football victory.
Huxley Herges stepped in front of a pass in the end zone and returned it all the way, stifling a potential Ely scor‑ing drive and instead giving his team a seven-point edge late in the opening quarter.
Ely, which fell to 0-2, had a touchdown wiped out by penalty on the same drive and instead of grabbing an early lead, the hosts had to play catch-up the rest of the way.
“We played a pretty com‑plete game apart from about five plays,” said Ely head coach Louie Gerzin. “We threw a pick-six early that was a huge momentum shift‑er, and we also had a TD called back for a holding penalty on the same drive. There were also a couple penalties that put us behind the sticks in crucial situa‑tions.”
The Wolves still were in the game until the final two minutes, when a Bronco score made it 21-8.
The officials subsequently called the game because of lighting and heavy rain, ending a long night at the stadium.
The start of the contest was delayed by more than two hours because of another thunderstorm.
Ely was dominated by the Class AA Broncos last year, but last week’s clash was far more competitive and the Wolves had opportunities to win.
“Other than a few plays I’m very pleased with how our guys played,” said Ger‑zin. “I thought International Falls was bigger and faster than we were, but our effort is what kept us in the game.”
Senior Owen Marolt re‑turned the opening kickoff to near midfield and Ely drove the rest of the way on the first possession of the game.
A counter run to Marolt led to a first down and an International Falls personal foul also extended the drive.
Ely appeared to take an early lead on a Tyde Brecke scoring run, but the touch‑down was called back be‑cause of a holding call.
The Wolves got to the Bronco two-yard-line, but quarterback DJ Johnson’s fourth-down pass was picked off in the end zone by Herg‑es, who turned it into a school-record return and a 7-0 Broncos lead.
Ely also had another firsthalf scoring drive cut short and the Broncos would even‑tually take a 14-0 lead.
But the Wolves weren’t done and got things going their way in the second half.
Junior Arturo Cameron capped off a scoring march by plowing in for an Ely touchdown, and Johnson completed a two-point con‑version pass to make it a one-score game at 14-8.
But an Ely fourth-quarter possession came up empty and the Broncos finally put the game away on a long scoring run - right before the thunder, lightning and rain forced the teams off the field with 1:51 left.
After about 20 minutes, the officials decided to end the game and the Broncos left with the win.
The bulk of Ely’s offense came on the ground, with Brecke finishing with 69 yards on 13 rushing attempts.
Marolt was right behind, adding 62 yards on nine carries, and Cameron added 18 yards.
On defense, Marolt led with 12 tackles, followed by Leo McKrahl with nine, Cameron with six and Koop‑er Dostert with five.
Ely was set to tangle with Class A powerhouse Mt. Iron-Buhl in Friday’s Fall Homecoming clash, and a third straight home game is in store on Friday, Sept. 25, when the Wolves host Cherry in a 7 p.m. contest.
