Ely High School’s varsity football team went head-on with Braham/Rysdam Academy Wednesday evening, falling by just two points at the Isanti County venue.
The final score was 40-38. Head coach Louie Gerzin said the three-hour bus ride did a number on the team’s energy levels before the contest even began.
“We came out a little slow off the bus,” Gerzin said.
The first drive was a bit lethargic, Gerzin said.
“We had a mistake where we fumbled one time on that first drive,” Gerzin said. “We were able to recover it, but that set us back a little bit.”
The team kicked into action after the initial fumble, however, reclaiming ground. Gerzin said the team’s offensive line had the best game of the year and were “the MVP for Ely” this time around.
“They really got a good push and sustained that through the game,” Gerzin said. “They really got a good push and sustained that through the game.”
Sean Merriman scored two touchdowns and made two two-point conversions with 110 receiving yards and six tackles.
Other team members also showed up, with DJ Johnson throwing one touchdown pass and making one interception for a touchdown.
“Our pass game came alive this game also,” Gerzin said. “That was different than what we are used to, but that’s where we took the biggest yards.”
Arturo Cameron made five tackles to Owen Marolt’s six and Sawyer Hegman’s seven, while Gunner Skager scored one rushing touchdown.
“We really just went to work and we only punted one time. We converted on a lot of our third and fourth downs,” Gerzin said.
The team put on a show for spectators and came out penalty-free.
Gerzin said some of the team’s freshmen made great contributions to the final score, especially Jace Davis, Lucas Moger and Hayden Weidemann.
The match against Braham (5-3) marked the final game of the Wolves’ regular season, with the team scheduled for Section 7AA playoffs beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Aiktin is the number one seed and will get a first round bye, facing the winner of International Falls and Mesabi East.
The Wolves will be at Crosby-Ironton on Tuesday for an opening round game at 6 p.m.
If they win they would face the winner of the Moose lake/Willow River vs. Greenway/ Nashwauk Keewatin on Oct. 31 at 2 p.m.
“It was a great way to end the regular season,” Gerzin said. “We’re looking forward to the playoffs.”
