COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA -- Iowa Western CC used a 34-point 2nd quarter and a suffocating defense to shut out visiting Ellsworth CC, 54-0, on Friday night at Titan Field.

Following a first-quarter field goal, Iowa Western erupted for five second-period TDs on the way to the dominant victory.  Three of the scores in the 2nd quarter came on drives that began in ECC territory.  The winners tacked on 17 more points in the 3rd stanza.

The Panther offense could muster only four first downs and 73 yards total offense.  They were 0-for-15 on 3rd downs and completed just 5-of-27 passes.  Ellsworth was forced to punt 11 times, nine by Daejon Wolfe, and lost four fumbles.

Starting QB Kevin Lukasiewicz threw for 52 yards on 5 completions in 24 attempts.  The leading ECC rusher was Ja'Ron Early, who gained 20 yards on 6 carries.  Cade Flaugh went for 12 yards on 3 tries, and Trent Lane gained 6 yards on 3 attempts.  Lukasiewicz's 9-yard run was the longest from scrimmage.  Six different receivers -- Early, J.D. Czech, Donmonic Perks, Will Darden, Deablo McGee and Lane -- caught a pass with Early's 33-yard reception the longest.

On defense, T.J. Bailey had an interception which he returned 40 yards. Daveion Crawford led the tackle chart with 9 stops, 8 of them solo.  Tanner Cromer and Andrew Behm each had 8 tackles and Michael Newman recorded 6 solo stops.  Cromer and Davon Sears were credited with sacks, Nick Breon and DeAundre Brown both had a pair of tackles-for-loss, and Cromer and Brown recovered IW fumbles.

The Panthers will play their first home game of the spring when they welcome Iowa Central CC to Cadet field on Saturday, April 17.

Photo credit: Times Citizen.  For more visit http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/