By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Ellsworth Bearcats got off to an electric start in 2024, winning five in a row to open their season before dropping their final four, including a first-round playoff game, down the stretch.
Despite the late-season skid, the Bearcats have now posted three straight winning seasons and have no intention of slowing down now with a strong group of returning veterans.
“I thought we played really hard last year. Our senior class did a good job, and we were in all but one of those games in that four-game losing streak,” Ellsworth head coach Josh Homolka said. “We were in it, we just didn’t have the horses to get it done but everyone’s a year older now.”
The biggest changes for Ellsworth will come in the backfield, where sophomore Carson Jacobs takes over at quarterback, and senior Tucker Goss is promoted to lead back.
“Carson can sling it and he’s not a real big guy, but he’s nimble on his feet and he’s got some shake to him,” Homolka said. “We’re looking forward to Tucker Goss toting the rock quite a bit for us as well. We’ve had a history of guys who spend time at fullback going back to tailback, and that toughness should help us with those extra yards.”
The O-Line will feature four seniors and one junior, with newcomer Drew Davis joining Ethan Tully, Cam Gardner, Micah Galvan, and Keegan Urbanek in the trenches.
At receiver, Cooper McGowan and a converted Jace Thomasson will anchor a group that includes Braylyn Gardner, Jackson Minear and Liam Stone.
The Bearcats are veteran-heavy on defense as well, with three seniors in Cooper McGowan, Tucker Goss, and Micah Galvan at linebacker, Jackson Minear at safety, and Tully, Urbanek and Gardner playing both ways on the line.
“Our linebacking crew is a huge strength for this defense,” he said. “We have three seniors that will be playing back there with Cooper on the outside and one of the best tandems in the 2A with Micah and Tucker on the inside. Those two are as physical and athletic as a lot of college-type guys.”
Drew Davis (DL), Rett Bohl (LB), Liam Stone (CB), and Jace Thomasson (CB) round out the defense as the only non-senior starters on the unit.
“I’m excited about how much experience we have,” Homolka said. “These guys have played a lot of key downs for us, and that always pays off. “I think the sky’s the limit for this team.”
The Bearcats open their season at home on Friday night with an NCAA foe in Sacred Heart.
This game will be broadcast with live video and audio commentary on the Salina Post YouTube page.
Full 2025 Football Schedule
9/5 - vs. Sacred Heart
9/12 - vs. Republic County
9/19 - at Minneapolis
9/26 - vs. Lyons
10/3 - at Hillsboro
10/10 - vs. Halstead
10/17 - at Beloit
10/24 - at SE of Saline