By Marissa VanWingen
Ellsworth Community College won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. On the opening kickoff, the hosts forced a fumble and got the ball on their side of the 50 yard line.
On the very next play, starting quarterback Drew Paulakovich was sacked and fumbled the rock giving the ball right back to Garden City. It took four plays for the Broncbusters (3-1) to reach the end zone and take the lead. From that point on, the visitors went on to record a 66-10 victory.
Paulakovich was injured on the turnover, putting Landen Mickelson in at quarterback. On his second play, Mickelson threw right into the arms of Asher Horn of Garden City who had a 33-yard pick six. In 19 seconds of game time the visitors built a 14-0 lead.
ECC (2-3) moved the ball on their next drive, with a catch from Nick Stevenson who hurdled a defender, but stalled out inside the 20. Instead, the Panthers had to settle for a 35-yard field goal by Ben Denton to cut the deficit to 14-3.
Th Broncbuster offense extended their lead and scored twice – a touchdown and a field goal for the 24-3 lead after the first quarter.
In the second stanza Garden City once again scored on defense and in quick succession.
A bad snap on an ECC punt set up a short field for the visitors who needed just three plays to reach the end zone. The Broncbusters drove the ball down the field and scored with less than a minute to go in the half and 22 seconds later, another interception was returned for six, this one for 31 yards by Greg Johnson to make it 45-3 at the break.
Garden City would score three more times in the second half. ECC would finally reach the end zone late in the third on a Devin Holman 46-yard pass to Courtland Campbell.
The degree of difficulty does not get any easier as the season continues for the Panthers. ECC will host top-ranked Hutchinson Community College on Saturday with kick slated for 11 a.m.
For more photos from the game, click here: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fgallery%2f&c=E,1,kv7znH9h3-9wt2KSOPjWMneD-5osngQimz_sAuD3QISCF5G7x0fZssxJtyG86HEQYGCx3WOPVWLCSPYpzKGx153VUOjBAaaTIwM9H4jr2QxzER2_mV4,&typo=1
66 10
Saturday at Iowa Falls
GC: 24| 21| 7| 14 – 66
ECC: 3| 0| 7| 0 – 10
Scoring Summary:
First Quarter:
GC: 13:29 Jaydyn Sisk 38 yd pass to Cenard Bennett (PAT)
GC: 12:48 Asher Horn 33 yd interception return (PAT)
ECC: 10:29 Ben Denton 35 yd field goal
GC: 9:32 Asmir Smith 7 yd run (PAT)
GC: 2:58 Lucca Alcaraz 20 yd field goal
Second Quarter:
GC: 8:25 Sisk 4 yd run (PAT)
GC: 0:52 Sisk 8 yd pass to Demond Littles (PAT)
GC: 0:30 Greg Johnson 31 yd interception return (PAT)
Third Quarter:
GC: 7:48 Sisk 39 yd pass to Bennett (PAT)
ECC: 0:38 Devin Holman 46 yd pass to Courtland Campbell (PAT)
Fourth Quarter:
GC: 13:45 Tanner Helton 5 yd run (PAT)
GC: 11:31 Kaydon Degraffe 45 yd interception return (PAT)
ECC Stats:
Passing: Landen Mickelson 14-23 173 yds, 3INT; Devin Holman 6-12 101, TD.
Rushing: Jayden Davison 11-23 yds; Tyvon Cade 5-14; Omarion Lewis 1-7; Olman 1-4; Sharone Finster 1-2; Drew Paulakovich 1-(-5); Mickelson 11-(-10).
Receiving: Donte Ferrell 6-86 yds; Nick Stevenson 4-67; Courtland Campbell 1-46, TD; Davison 2-25; Shane Helmick 1-13; Ryan Sinnott 1-12; Elijah Berg 2-12; Nolan Perrien 1-10; Kaleb Ngwendson 1-8; Mickelson 1-(-5).
Tackles: Karson Butts 7; JJ Clayton 6; Kaydon Degraffenreid 6.
