Ellsworth dampers Raider football opener

A 52-point lead in the first half for host Ellsworth stood up as final in the Arcadia High School football team’s 2022 season opener on Friday.

The powerhouse Panthers scored eight touchdowns in the effort, including six on the ground. Ellsworth went 12-1 last season, losing to Catholic Memorial 21-12 in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division Four State Championship game. It was the most lopsided loss for Arcadia since Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau defeated them 52-0 in 2017. 

Arcadia looks for a bounceback effort this Friday in their home opener against Whitehall (0-1), who is fresh off a 14-6 loss to Colfax in week one. The Raiders open Coulee Conference play in Viroqua next Friday.

Ellsworth 52 Arcadia 0

Ellsworth opened a 20-0 lead in the first quarter behind a pair of rushing scores from Jurrell Gooden and a 23-yard passing touchdown. 

Five other players scored in the second quarter of a game that saw the hosts rack up 406 yards on offense, 317 of which on the ground. 

Arcadia’s Egan Pauly made his debut at quarterback in the effort, finishing 7-of-22 for 40 yards and three interceptions. Devon Baeir caught three of those passes for 32 yards.

The Panthers held the Raiders back in the running game, limiting the visitors to -9 rushing yards. 

Max Sobotta and Max Blaschko led the way for Arcadia on defense with seven tackles while Pauly contributed six of his own as well as a forced fumble. 

Arcadia

Rushing (att./yds.) — Sobotta 1/0, Boland 2/-1, Glenzinski 4/-8.

Receiving (rec./yds.) — Boland 2/3, Glenzinski 2/5, Baier 3/32.

Passing (comp./att./yds.) — Pauly 7/22/40.

Tackles (solo/total) — Sobotta 3/7, Blaschko 2/7, Pauly 2/6, Bremer 2/5, J. Rotering 1/4, Teske 0/4, Aspenson 1/3, Glenzinski 0/3, Baier 1/3, Boland 1/2, Lyga 1/2, K. Rotering 0/1, Lisowski 0/1, Ruiz 0/1.