Ellis’ three TDs takes down Eagles

Elyria Catholic relied on its bread and butter all night.

Its ground-and-pound running game gave North Olmsted a lot of problems and pushed the Panthers to a 30-24 win over the Eagles on senior night on Oct. 8 and stayed alive in the Great Lakes Conference Western Division.

Ellis rushed for 140 yard and three touchdowns as EC improved to 7-2, 3-1 in the Great Lakes Conference). North Olmsted fell to 6-2 (4-1 in GLC).

North Olmsted scored on their first play from scrimmage. It happened off a halfback pass from Collin Willard to a wide-open Nick Tepper for 82 yards down the right sideline to make the score 8-0.

To start the second quarter, Elyria Catholic’s Levi Ellis punched in a 4-yard touchdown. The point after touchdown was stuffed by the Eagles’ defense on an Ellis rushing attempt up the middle.

North Olmsted had an opportunity to stop them on third down, but the band was flagged for playing on a Panthers possession, giving them the first down before Ellis broke off a 39-yard run.

North Olmsted, after stopping the Panthers’ offense, blocked a punt inside Elyria Catholic territory. The Eagles’ Sammy Capps, who blocked the punt, deflected it while in pursuit and knocked it out of the endzone for the safety and 10-6 lead.

The Panthers’ defense held the Eagles’ offense in check after their trick play. Their three-and-out late in the first half, set up a 2-minute drill for Elyria Catholic.

The Panthers drove 78 yards in less than a minute and a half. The drive was capped off with a 3-yard touchdown run for Ellis to make the score 13-10 to end the first half.

The Panthers defense put their mark in the third quarter, shutting out the Eagles offense and creating a critical turnover, which came off an Eagles fumble deep inside their territory.

Panthers’ quarterback Brady Cooks connected with Jack Keanneally on fourth and 10 down the middle for a 23-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 20-10.

Elyria Catholic’s kicker Ian Woodyard also kicked a 34-yard field goal to extend their lead to 13 points later in the third quarter.

Eagles quarterback Xavier Balson threw two touchdown passes to make the game 30-24. But, Elyria Catholic recovered the onside kick to seal the game.

Next week, North Olmsted will play Rocky River and Elyria Catholic will play Bay.

JENNIFER FORBUS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Panther Levi Ellis leads the way gaining yardage for Elyria Catholic.

JENNIFER FORBUS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Elyria Catholic quarterback Brady Cook hands off to running back Levi Ellis on Oct. 8.