By Marissa VanWingen
On the road at Highland Community College, Ellsworth Community College recorded a 41-38 victory – their second of the season.
The Panthers led 34-32 with 9:20 left in the contest when the hosts took the lead. After recovering a fumble, Highland marched down the field and connected on a short run to take the 38-34 lead.
In the two minute drill, ECC (2-2) used the arm of Drew Paulakovich, who completed seven of eight passes to move the ball 74 yards. With 32 seconds left on the clock, he found Nick Stevenson for six and the Ben Denton kick made it 41-38.
The Scotties (0-3) got the ball back and an interception by Jalen Riley sealed the win.
That was the second time in the game the Panthers found themselves down. ECC trailed 7-0 after a missed field goal was 88 yards back for a touchdown. The visitors were able to even the score on an eight-play 80-yard drive. With the help of a 28-yard run by Deandre Rutherford and later 38-yard pass from Paulakovich to Donte Ferrell moved the ball inside the 10. Paulakovich had a short toss to Keondre Woodard-Broaddus to knot the score at 7-7. It was short lived as the Scotties responded with a field goal late in the first quarter to lead 10-7.
The two continued to go back and forth. ECC scored on a seven-yard pass from Landen Mickelson to Shane Helmick and the two point conversion failed to make it 13-10. The Panthers then added to their lead with a special teams score. Jamir Brown blocked a punt and returned it 32 yards for the 20-10 advantage. Highland cut the deficit again, scoring a touchdown to make it 20-17 with 7:53 left before the break. ECC responded immediately as Omarion Lewis returned the kickoff 68 yards for a touchdown. On the visitors next offensive drive, a 19-yard pass from Paulakovich to Rutherford made it 34-17 at the half.
Neither team reached the end zone in the third quarter and Highland cut the deficit early in the fourth. A safety followed by a short touchdown run made it 34-32.
ECC had success throwing the ball, with 238 yards passing and 94 on the ground. Paulakovich was 13 of 21 for 101 yards and three touchdowns. Mickelson threw for another 137 yards and a score.
For more on ECC Athletics, click here: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fsports%2fecc%2f&c=E,1,wa8iPr3t52VtE7jBWHtbI9jaXe-DffU6lEmno0LxCZdlwsv2Xy-EdjjcoM74t7h4ahv-zwREka4KYAXhwbaFaiMYW42YBWY_lMwjlxp1w1o1joQ7-q1L1OHJsLRx&typo=1
ECC 41, Highland 38
Saturday at Highland, Kan.
ECC: 7| 27| 0| 7 – 41
HCC: 10| 7| 0| 21 – 38
Scoring Summary:
First Quarter:
HCC: 10:42 O’Marion Cohens 88 yd blocked field goal (PAT)
ECC: 2:21 Drew Paulakovich 6 yd pass to Keondre Woodward-Broaddus (PAT)
HCC: 0:25 Carl Bonewits 27 yd field goal
Second Quarter:
ECC: 12:53 Landen Mickelson 7 yd pass to Shane Helmick (2 pt failed)
ECC: 10:36 Jamir Brown 68 yd punt return (PAT)
HCC: 7:53 Navi Bruzon 17 yd run (PAT)
ECC: 7:39 Omarion Lewis 68 yd kick return (PAT)
ECC: 1:44 Paulakovich 19 yd pass to Deandre Rutherford (PAT)
Fourth Quarter:
HCC: 12:28 Ryeki Tuley 1 yd run (PAT)
HCC: 12:16 Safety
HCC: 9:20 Kahliek Rainey 2 yd run (2 pt failed)
HCC: 1:57 TJ Porter 1 yd run (2 pt failed)
ECC: 0:32 Paulakovich 6 yd pass to Nick Stevenson (PAT)
ECC Stats:
Passing: Landen Michelson 11-21 137 yds, TD, INT; Drew Paulakovich 13-21 101 yds, 3TDs.
Rushing: Deandre Rutherford 23-95 yds; Michelson 7-0 yds; Paulakovich 1-(-1) yds.
Receiving: Donte Ferrell 3-114 yds; Kaleb Ngwendson 3-42 yds; Nick Stevenson 4-41 yds, TD; Keondre Woodard Broaddus 2-34 yds, TD; Rutherford 3-29 yds, TD; Terran Gosselink 1-18 yds; Shane Helmick 3-17 yds, TD; Jesse Abruscati 3-15 yds; Deon Harris 1-15 yds; Aroud Seals 1-12 yds.
Tackles: Dorius Smith 7; Jamir Brown 6; Deion Gunn 4; Kade Francis 4; Jalen Riley 4; Vsani Scott 4; Kye Brouchet 4; Sherman Hopkins III 4.