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Levi Ellis had himself quite the night. He would rush for 139 yards and two scores, have an acrobatic 33-yard catch, an interception, and a fumble recovery. He also, on a rush in the second quarter, would move to second on the Elyria Catholic all-time rushing list.
Elyria Catholic started out the game sloppy as on their very first possession running back Levi Ellis would cough up the ball giving Westlake the ball at their own 32-yard line.
However, it would not amount to anything as Ellis would make up for the fumble by making a huge stop on fourth and one giving the Panthers the ball back.
The Westlake defense would again force a turnover as Cooper Rummel intercepted a pass from Hector Garcia.
This time the Demons would capitalize off the turnover and turn it into the first points of the game. Running back Arrington Taylor would punch it in from 2 yards out to make the score 7-0 Demons.
The Panthers weren’t down for long, as on the very first play of the ensuing drive Brady Cook would find Thomas Niederst for a 70-yard touchdown tying the game at 7 with 2:27 left in the first quarter.
The Elyria Catholic defense would force a Westlake interception as Levi Ellis caught the pass off the deflection. On the very next play, Levi Ellis would take a direct snap and scamper 62 yards for the score making it 14-7 Panthers.
The theme of quick scoring in the half continued as just 2 plays later Sam Brucchieri would complete a dime of a deep ball to Cooper Rummel for a 65-yard touchdown. The extra point would be blocked however, making it 14-13 Panthers with 6:19 left.
The Panthers would get the ball back and drive the ball into Demon territory. It did not lead to points as Westlake would stop Ellis on a fourth and one getting the ball back to their offense.
Neither team would score again, and the teams would head to the locker room with Elyria Catholic up 14-13.
Westlake received the opening kickoff of the second half but didn’t go as planned. After miscommunication on the return the Demons took over at just their 12-yard line. Three plays later they would fumble, giving the ball back to the Panthers at the 6-yard line. Just 2 plays later Levi Ellis would take it 3 yards for the score. Panthers now led 21-13 early in the second half.
A great punt return and a Westlake penalty would give the panthers the ball at the Westlake 13-yard line. After multiple penalties by both teams Hector Garcia would find Colin Ginley for a 15-yard score. It took just 3 minutes for the Panthers to score twice and make it 28-13.
Westlake would drive the ball to past midfield on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, but the panther defense didn’t break. They stopped a pass on fourth down giving the ball back their offense.
Elyria would take over, but the possession would also lead to a punt.
Desperately needing a score, the Demons took over with about eight minutes left in the game. it would ultimately lead to a punt giving the panthers the ball back with five minutes left.
Seven plays later the Panthers would put the game out of reach as Garcia found Ginley again this time for an 11-yard score. With 3:37 left the Panthers lead 35-13.
The Panther defense would get a stop on fourth down again. Ellis would take the direct snap on the next play 22 yards for another score making it 42-13 Panthers.
The clock would run out and the Panthers would take this one 42-13 and move to 6-1.
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
2:45- #21 Arrington Taylor 2-yard run. Pat Good.
2:27- #13 Brady Cook 70-yard pass to #6 Thomas Niederst. Pat Good
2nd Quarter
7:36- #44 Levi Ellis 62-yard run. Pat Good
6:19- #5 Sam Brucchieri 65-yard pass to #1 Cooper Rummel. Pat No Good.
3rd Quarter
9:58- #44 Levi Ellis 3-yard run. Pat Good
8:31- #14 Hector Garcia 15-yard pass to #1 Colin Ginley. Pat Good.
4th Quarter
3:37 #14 Hector Garcia 11-yard pass to #1 Colin Ginley. Pat Good
Players of the Game
Elyria Catholic- Levi Ellis
Westlake- Sam Brucchieri
