By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Despite two 30-minute lightning delays, the biggest force of nature in a battle between Ellsworth and Minneapolis didn’t come from the sky; it came from the ground.
Bearcat tailback Landin Johnson ran wild on the Lion defense, carrying the rock for over 200 yards and four rushing touchdowns in a 26-21 Ellsworth win.
Minneapolis moved the ball well on the opening drive but stalled out at the goal line, turning it over on downs after setting up first and goal from the five.
On the very next play, Johnson set the tone, cutting an outside run across the field, breaking two tackles, and running 96 yards to paydirt to put Ellsworth on the board.
The Lions answered with a touchdown connection from Owen Just to Joseph Woehl, but Johnson was there to respond on the ensuing drive, breaking off a touchdown run of 50 yards to restore a 14-7 lead.
Long drives for both teams would result in the two sides trading touchdowns before the half, including a 9-yard Johnson scamper for his third score of the game.
Both sides made good defensive adjustments in the locker room, but Johnson couldn’t be contained for long, and after a scoreless third quarter, the senior tailback punched in his fourth score of the day from four yards out to put Ellsworth ahead 26-14.
In need of a score, the Lions marched the ball down the field but would come away without any points from the red zone for the fourth time as Dax Leiker picked off Owen Just at the goal line.
It could have been an even bigger day for Johnson, but an 80-yard touchdown run was called back for a hold, giving new life to Minneapolis.
The Lions strung together a masterful up-tempo drive, scoring in under 2:00, but were unable to recover the onside kick, falling 26-21 at the final whistle.
With this result, Ellsworth moves to 3-0 while Minneapolis falls to 1-2.
The Bearcats will be on the road to take on Lyons (1–2) next week while the Lions travel to Norton to battle the Bluejays (3-0).
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