By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Sacred Heart Knights and Ellsworth Bearcats haven't played much competitive football against one another as of late, but that could all change with a big week one matchup between the two.
Sacred Heart improved their win total in 2024, and nearly doubled it were it not for a rain-related mid-game cancellation in week three.
Ellsworth entered the 2024 season hot, and rode the high of a 9-2 season and deep playoff run the year prior to a 5-0 start before sliding on an 0-4 skid to the season's finish line.
While the Bearcats lose their quarterback, top rusher and leading receiver from 2024, Sacred Heart has kept their skill positions intact, and will be eager to challenge Ellsworth on Friday night under second-year head coach Ryan Krajicek.
Despite all that, Ellsworth enters this matchup as heavy favorites, having won the last five in a row, and nine of the last ten meetings between the two, including a lopsided 39-16 affair last week.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 at Ellsworth High School, this game, along with every other Sacred Heart game all season long, will be broadcast 100% free and available live and on-demand with live video and audio coverage.
A link to tonight's broadcast can be found below.