By ADAM COULTER
Salina Post Contributor
The Sacred Heart Knights knew they were coming into their match-up hosting rival Ellsworth with a thin roster and only a handful of players with significant experience at the varsity level.
Despite that, the Knights fought hard the entire game, but turnovers and inexperience ultimately allowed the Bearcats to pull away and secure the opening night win 39-16.
Ellsworth won the opening coin flip and elected to start on offense. A 12-yard touchdown run by Tucker Goss capped off the opening drive and Bo Kyler's PAT gave the Bearcats an early 7-0 lead with 7:59 to go in the opening quarter.
Sacred Heart began a promising drive on its first offensive series, but a tipped pass led to an interception and the Bearcats cashed in with another touchdown. Landin Johnson rushed for two yards for his first of four trips to the end zone. Another Kyler PAT made the score 14-0 with :48 remaining in the opening frame.
The Knights answered for their first score at the 7:25 mark of the second quarter. A nine-yard pass from Maddox Wells to Noah Hines put Sacred Heart on the scoreboard. Bryson Gotti tacked on a two-point conversation to tighten the score to 14-8.
Despite the Knights closing the scoring gap, the Bearcats wasted no time in answering with another touchdown. Goss rushed from two yards out for his second trip to the endzone. The PAT was missed, but Ellsworth held a 20-8 advantage with 6:33 left before halftime.
On the ensuing kickoff, Sacred Heart fumbled the ball and surrendered possession back to Ellsworth. Just before halftime, at the 1:06 mark of the second quarter, Johnson rushed for 57 yards and his second touchdown. The PAT was once again no good, but the Bearcats were on top 26-8 at the intermission.
The Knights wouldn't score again until late in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Landin Johnson had two additional long scoring carries to put the game away. A 47-yard run at the 8:47 mark and another 57-yard carry with 6:16 remaining put Ellsworth on top 39-8.
With 1:36 remaining, a 3-yard rush by Elias Gordon and 2-point conversation by Tristen Hitchens made the score 39-16. Those would be the final points of the third quarter and, after a scoreless final quarter, the game.
Sacred Heart will try to even out its record next Friday with a second straight game at home to start the season. Plainville/Natoma will make the trip to Salina on Friday night.
Kickoff is set for 7pm with pregame at 6:45. Every Sacred Heart game throughout the season can be seen and heard with live streaming audio and video at salinapost.com.