By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Tonight, the Salina Post Game of the Week takes us to Ellsworth, where the 2-0 Bearcats prepare to host a hungry 1-1 Minneapolis team.
This all-NCAA clash will present an opportunity either for Ellsworth to remain atop the league with the winner of the Trojan War in Beloit or for Minneapolis to stake their claim as a league contender.
While Ellsworth and Minneapolis have shared a league for over a decade, the two will meet on the gridiron for the first time since 2021, a game that went the way of the Lions 18-12.
“You can’t control your districts but it’s been really great to get Ellsworth back on the schedule,” Minneapolis head coach Tom Flax said. “Coach Homolka does a great job and these last two seasons have been really good for them. They’ve got a lot of new faces out there who are excited to get their turn and represent their school.”
That senior class entered the 2024 season with little buzz despite playing a big role in Ellsworth’s 9-2 campaign last season, and will be looking to cement their status as a legitimate threat in Class 2A.
“We had the best two years that this program has had in a long time, but it wasn’t one class that won all those games,” Bearcat head coach Josh Homolka said. “These guys were a big part of that. I think they do feel a bit of a chip on their shoulder with not being talked about but we’ll keep playing the games and see where we are in the end.”
In order to remain undefeated, both on the year and in league, Ellsworth will have to contain junior quarterback Owen Just, who has taken another step forward in his second season as the Lions full time starter.
“I’ve been really impressed with their quarterback,” Homolka said. “He can make things happen with his feet but he keeps his eyes downfield looking to make a play. They also run those old bear fronts in a ‘52’ which can be tough to scheme against and block, they really do some good things.”
Meanwhile, to pull off the upset and walk away 2-1, Minneapolis must match the physicality put on display by the Bearcats in their first two contests, or risk falling victim to the red and black unit.
“They play hard, they’re physical and I think they look a lot like us,” Flax said. “They’re not huge, but they’re not afraid to hit you in the mouth, and they run what they want to on both sides of the ball. They’ll hit us hard but if we can hit back I think this is going to be a pretty good ballgame.”
Kickoff between the Lions and Bearcats is scheduled for 7 pm at Ellsworth High School with pregame coverage beginning at 6:40.
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