ELLSWORTH — With both teams searching for a non-conference win to boost them into challenging conference slates, it was Ellsworth that got the job done, beating Division II’s La Crosse Central 23-21 Aug. 28 in an exciting game from start to finish.

“Didn’t play the cleanest football game. Offense was humming on all cylinders in the first half and they made some adjustments at halftime,” Head Coach Rob Heller said. “Cramps were a big deal in the second half. We got thin awfully fast. Had some starters out with cramps.”

The game started off in electric fashion as senior quarterback Jack Stoltenburg heaved one down the right sideline on the first play of the game, finding senior Gavin Klos for a gain of about 37 yards. A couple tough runs from senior running back Coen Hinrichs polished off the drive for a 7-0 lead.

La Crosse Central’s funky two-quarterback system brought an interesting wrinkle to the game, but it was a non-factor on the opening drive as a handoff on their opening play brought them all the way inside the 10 where they would score and tie the game.

The wild start did not stop there as Cooper Olson returned the ensuing kickoff all the way for a touchdown, which was swiftly called back due to a blocking penalty. Even after the penalty, Ellsworth still started the drive on the La Crosse half of the field, and Hinrichs broke a few tackles on a run up the middle, rumbling all the way to the end zone again, 13-7 less than halfway through the opening quarter.

Things finally quieted down until midway through the second when Hinrichs found the endzone for a third time. Nathan Augustine booted a 34-yard field goal for a 23-7 lead with 26 seconds left in the half. Just when it looked like nothing could go wrong for the Panthers, La Crosse scored a long touchdown ahead of the half on a crossing route by toeing down the sideline and shedding four tackles near the goal line. La Crosse scored again out of the half to bring the game to 23-21, but that is when the Ellsworth defense refused to bend any further.

“Super proud of these guys to respond to the way we came at the last series in the first half and the first series in the second half on defense to kind of fold in ourselves like that but respond and make big plays when big plays needed to be made,” Heller said.

Central found its way inside the 10 with a few minutes left in the third, but Klos wonderfully read an out route for an interception to keep Ellsworth’s grasp on the slim lead. After that pick, Central’s drives ended as follows: a great fourth and short stop from the front seven, a fourth and short just 30 yards from the endzone going haywire because of a mistimed snap and a fourth and long sack from Keegan Stahlke and Sawyer Van Horn to close it out. George Rohl and Matthew Lundstrom made some huge defensive plays throughout to keep the team in it. Van Horn also finished with eight tackles on the day. Central’s four turnovers to Ellsworth’s zero made the difference.

“We made some subtle changes up front. We started to play big boy football and believe in ourselves,” Heller said. “If we execute our gameplan, just like any team, good things are going to happen.”

Heller said he was most proud that it was a team win and everyone played a role. Now, he wants to see them stack strong practices and continue to get more physical.

“We’ve got a tough one against a conference foe in Prescott that’s coming off a heck of a season,” Heller said. “They’ve got a super athletic quarterback, a rivalry game and throw in all the other stuff too. It’s going to be a gut-buster for sure.”

From the player perspective, they have just as high of hopes for what’s to come.

“I see a lot of future. Our team is the hardest hitting Middle Border team that it’s ever had in years,” Hinrichs said. “I see no regrets. We hit it really hard in the weight room this summer, absolutely grinded.”

Hinrichs said the line was doing a great job paving the way for him throughout the game, and he’s excited to see the cohesion build.

“Last game our line had a lot of mishaps, and they all went into a room together and didn’t leave until they figured it out,” Hinrichs said. “They definitely locked in and hit the bell and started grinding. Definitely the biggest line and the best line that Ellsworth has ever had. They have the best discipline that I’ve ever seen.”

Through early morning weight training with ETS, lots of hours in the film room and full focus, Hinrichs said it takes just as much work off the field as on the field to get a win like that.

After losing 12-0 to a tough La Crosse Logan team a week ago, Ellsworth settled in mentally.

“First game jitters I think we had a little bit,” Stoltenburg said. “Playing more calm, at our own pace, doing our own thing, not letting the other team dictate what we do. Just playing our way, not their way.”

With a rivalry game against Prescott next week, Stoltenburg said they will have to replicate the hard work they have been putting in.

“Just holding each other accountable. Doing the little things right every day,” Stoltenburg said. “Being inconsistent has maybe been an issue a little bit. Just taking a step forward each day and not setting a lower bar.”