Ellsworth, GI Northwest best Scottsbluff 38-35 in a Classic.

It was a career night for Christian Ellsworth (#15), GINW quarterback.

Ellsworth, Northwest best Scottsbluff 38-35 in a Classic.

by Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

It was a game that should not have had a loser. This regional matchup was a classic battle from the opening kickoff to the last drive of the game. On a balmy night at Viking Field, on the campus of Northwest high school, a pair of Class B stalwarts staged a battle that saw no less than 8 lead changes. It wasn't until Northwest quarterback Christian Ellsworth drug Scottsbluff tacklers 8 yards for a game clinching first down, that this one was in the bag.

GINW all-state candidate, QB Christian Ellsworth passed for 3 touchdowns and ran for two more as the Vikings improved to 5-0 with the 38-35 win over a very good Scottsbluff football team. Ellsworth, who gained only 337 yards rushing the past 12 games, ran like a 1000 yard rushing fullback, dragging Bearcat defenders with him. And Scottsbluff, playing without one of their best running backs, turned to their brutal running 1000 yard rusher and their quarterback, to carry the rushing load. It was a game of firsts in many ways, but a Classic, for sure.

Oddly enough, the defenses dominated on each team's opening drive, each forcing a 3 and out. But Northwest took the next drive 61 yards for the game's first score, Christian Ellsworth blasting in from the 5 yard line.

Scottsbluff put together a nice 7 minute drive on the following drive to knot things at 7 when senior QB Traceten Halley skirted his left end for a 7 yard touchdown.

On the very next Northwest possession, it took just 2:01 for Christian Ellsworth to find glue-handed Brandon Gannon for a 23 yard TD pass. The quarter expired with the Vikings leading 14-7.

The Bearcats answered on their next drive, a 5:41 second dandy, when fleet-footed, powerful 1000 yard rusher, Brad Johnston blasted in from 7 yards away. Score-14-14.

It was on Northwest's opening possession of the 2nd quarter that Christian Ellsworth let the 'Cats know he could run the football. The 215 pound senior ripped off gains of 19 and 18 yards on the 66 yard drive, capping it with a 2 yard touchdown run. Sure-footed Preston Sundermeier booted the point through to put the Vikes back on top, 21-14 with 3:53 left in the half.

Scottsbluff once again fashioned a long drive, this one of 73 yards, but this time it took only 3:02. Johnston took it around the left side and walked in from 12 yards away for his 2nd touchdown of the half. Senior Eseah Ingram booted the all important PAT through the uprights, and things were all square at 21. Forty seconds remained in the 2nd stanza.

Northwest was in good field position after a nice kick return set up shop at their own 41. Facing a 3rd and 8 with just 16 ticks left in the half, Sundermeier lined for a 45 yard field goal attempt. The ball just fell short of the crossbar and the half ended with the 21-21 tie.

The 3rd quarter opened again with......you guessed it, a three and done for both teams. On Northwest's opening possession of that 3rd quarter, Viking punter Christian Ellsworth really let one go, pinning Scottsbluff back on their own 11 yard line. The Bearcats advanced ball to their own 29 and decided to gamble on a 4th and 1. The Northwest "D" swarmed, stuffed play, and took over with the shortest field of the game in front of them. It took only a minute, 3 seconds for Ellsworth to find Will Mettenbrink for a 5 yard TD pass. Once again, Northwest on top, 28-21.

Lightening would then strike GINW 24 ticks later, in the form of Brad Johnston. The rock solid, leg churning senior appeared to be stopped twice, but then broke loose from the grasp of the last Northwest tackler and turned on the jets, sprinting 72 yards for an electrifying score. BANG! Just like that, 28-28.

The Vikings took the next drive and had to settle for, what would turn out to be a very important 29 yard Preston Sundermeier field goal. 31-28 Northwest....2:55 3rd quarter.

Strong footed 213 pound sophomore Dylan Allen pinned the Bearcats on their own 9 yard line on the ensuing kickoff. On a 3rd and 4 from their own 16, it happened again.

On seeming a replay of Scottsbluffs previous series, quarterback Traceten Halley handed the ball to Brad Johnston and the unbelieveable running back repeated history in one quick blink of a Viking eye. Johnston again appeared to be stopped cold, but slipped away, this time on an 84 yard touchdown journey. Two carries, 156 yards....just like that.

And with 1:36 left in the 3rd quarter, Scottsbluff had it's first lead of the game, 35-31.

The Scottsbluff lead would last about 2 minutes though. On the following Northwest drive, Christian Ellsworth, whom I think played the game of his life, directed a 75 yard, 9 play drive that culminated with a 10 yard scoring pass to Isiah Dawes, who was well covered in the right corner of the West end zone. With 11:36 left in the Classic, the Vikings would have a 38-35 lead.

The teams traded possessions before Ellsworth unleashed a Howitzer of a punt, pinning the 'Cats on the shadow of their own goal line. It was do or die time for Scottsbluff with 5:52 left and 97 yards of Viking real estate in front of them.

The Bearcats, who had thrown only 7 times all night, sprung a beauty on the Viking defense when Halley found big Koby Paez for a sparkling 46 yard gain. The Bearcats drove all the way to the Northwest 21 and faced a 4th and 2. There was still time, but the Viking defense, who made some key adjustments at linebacker at halftime, gang tackled QB Traceten Halley for a 1 yard gain, killing the spirited 71 yard drive.

The Vikings still had to run out the clock and Scottsbluff had all three time outs remaining. The Bearcats took them all, and when it counted the most, Christian Ellsworth delivered the final dagger with a powerful 8 yard, game clinching run, dragging Bearcat defenders like he was pulling a tackling sled.

Ball Game.

For Northwest, QB Christian Ellsworth it was a career night on the football field. The Division One prospect rushed 31 times for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns, completed 19 of 29 passes for 220 yards and 3 more TDs with no interceptions. The 215 pound senior also pinned Scottsbluff deep in their own territory with his two punts. Ellsworth also found WR Brandon Gannon 6 times for 112 yards and a score.

For Scottsbluff, it was senior Brad Johnston who tore up the turf at Viking Field with his 254 yards on 27 carries and 4 touchdowns. That puts Johnston at 718 yards for the 2015 season. Quarterback Traceten Halley also had a good night running the football, gaining 129 yards on 26 carries. Halley also connected on 4 of his 8 throws for 99 yards.

Together, the teams combined for 895 yards of total offense on night. Northwest moves to 5-0 on the season and will make the long journey to Sidney next Friday to face the Red Raiders. Scottsbluff, who falls to 3-2, will return to the friendly confines next Friday to face another unbeaten team when Aurora comes to town.

..........................1....2......3.....4.......F

Scottsbluff..........7....14....14...0......35

GI Northwest.......14....7....10....7......38

1st Quarter

GINW -- Christian Ellsworth 5 run (Sundermeier kick)

S -- Traceten Halley 7 run (Ingram kick)

GINW -- Brandon Gannon 23 pass from Ellsworth (Sundermeier kick)

2nd Quarter

S -- Brad Johnston 7 run (Ingram kick)

GINW -- Ellsworth 2 run (Sundermeier kick)

S -- Johnston 11 run (Ingram kick)

3rd Quarter

GINW -- Will Mettenbrink 5 pass from Ellsworth (Sundermeier kick)

S -- Johnston 72 run (Ingram kick)

GINW -- Sundermeier 29 field goal

S -- Johnston 84 run (Ingram kick)

4th Quarter

NW -- Isaiah Daws 10 run (Sundermeier kick)