By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Ellsworth Bearcats took care of their business on Friday night, knocking off the Russell Broncos by a final score of 33-14.
With this win, the Bearcats remain undefeated at 6-0 while the Broncos fall back to .500 at 3-3.
It wasn’t always pretty, but Ellsworth looked like the stronger, faster, more physical team from the outset and stayed in the driver's seat for a majority of the game.
The first Bearcat drive of the day took just five plays, and concluded with a 26-yard touchdown run on an end around to Cole Webber.
On the very next drive, the Broncos responded with a 71-yard bomb from Mason Rohr to Max Evans to even the score at seven all.
Ellsworth wasted no time reclaiming the lead as Will Cravens scampered 58 yards for a score that would give the Bearcats an advantage that they would never relinquish.
Russell battled, even cutting the deficit to five before the half, but Ellsworth proved to be too much to handle and slowly pulled away down the stretch.
The Bronco offense ran just five plays in the whole third quarter, and was blanked for the entirety of the second half.
Will Cravens was excellent offensively, completing 12 of his 16 passes for 162 passing yards and a touchdown, adding 75 yards and a score on the ground.
It was also a big day for Ian Andalon, who suffocated the Russell defense with his slow, steady rushing production, racking up 132 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Ellsworth will resume district play next Friday when they travel to 3-3 Halstead, while Russell makes the trek to 2-4 Phillipsburg.