February 14, 2024
High School
High School
Elkhorn High senior can become the second wrestler in program history to win multiple state titles
ELKHORN — The season of first proceeds for the Elkhorn North football team, as the Wolves scored their first victory over in-town rival Elkhorn High with a 35-17 win Friday.
"It felt good to come out here and defeat Elkhorn," stated Elkhorn North senior Brock Marler. "We thought if we won the line of scrimmage, we would win the game and we felt like we did a pretty good job of that. It is what we expected to do, but it still feels good.”
Elkhorn North took over early. On the third play of scrimmage, Tommy Meckna intercepted Kayd Matthews' pass deep in Antler territory. Three plays later, Jett Tingelhoff scored on a 6-yard run to put Elkhorn North ahead 7-0.
"Coach (Sam Stanley) said we have come out slow in the past," commented Meckna. "He wanted to see us start fast and get the momentum right out of the locker room. I wanted to make a play to get the team going. The interception was huge and it was a big momentum boost for the team.”
After forcing an Elkhorn High punt, Elkhorn North used its power run game to drive 62 yards in 10 plays. Johnny Ferguson extended the Wolves' edge to 14-0 with a 1-yard TD plunge.
Elkhorn High strung together a solid scoring drive to begin the second quarter. Starting at their own 6-yard line, the Antlers went to the air to reach the Wolf red zone. Matthews threw for 69 yards on the drive to reach the Elkhorn North 10. The Antlers ended up settling for a 23-yard field goal by Beau Twohig to cut the deficit to 11 with under five minutes remaining in the first half.
Elkhorn North answered right back with another strong scoring drive using the ground game. Eight-straight runs took the Wolves to the Antler 35. Elkhorn North then went to the air, as Ferguson found Ty Kunz for a 20-yard pass. Ferguson then connected on a 15-yard scoring pass to Meckna to give Elkhorn North a 21-3 edge at the break.
"I saw the ball and I knew I had to get up for it," Meckna recalled. "It was a little behind me, so I got up and caught it for a touchdown. It felt great.”
The Wolf offense continued to howl to start the second half, scoring in their first two drives. Elkhorn North opened the third quarter with an 11-play, 85-yard drive, with 74 yards coming on the ground, resulting in a Tingelhoff 5-yard TD run.
“We wanted to keep our foot on the gas coming out for the second half,” Meckna continued. “Our coaches might be the best motivational speakers I have ever had. They get me and the team going every time. We wanted to finish this game.”
The Antlers answered with their first touchdown, as Elliot Beister scored on a 7-yard run.
Tingelhoff completed the touchdown hat-trick on the Wolves’ next drive with a 13-yard score.
Elkhorn High tallied the final score of the game on a 40-yard scoring pass from Matthews to Andrew Salvatore in the fourth quarter.
The advantage at the line of scrimmage went to the Wolves, who outgained the Antlers 274-87.
“Elkhorn High is a gritty team,” Marler said. “We had been banged up for a while, but tonight we got some guys back and it felt good to have them back on the field. We knew if we won the line of scrimmage, we would win the game. We wanted to stop them from running the ball and we have the best defensive backs in the state. So we knew it would tough for them to throw the ball as well.”
Matthews led the Antler offense, going 19-of-28 passing for 215 yards, a touchdown and 20 yards rushing. Beister ran for 50 yards and a score; Salvatore accumulated 66 yards of total offense and a score and Peyton Turman added seven receptions for 105 yards.
Ferguson had a complete night as quarterback for Elkhorn North, going 7-of-8 passing for 152 yards and a TD, to go along with 46 yards rushing. Tingelhoff ran for 113 yards and three scores; Mckenna caught four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown; Beachy ran for 62 yards and threw for 25 and Jase Reynolds recorded two catches for 46 yards.
“We have the best front five and our two-deeps are pretty good too,” Marler spoke. “That helps a lot. Jett (Tingelhoff) is a shifty dude and we have a great quarterback run-game with Johnny Ferguson. All that stuff put together makes us hard to stop.”
Alex Uchtman guided the Wolf defense with eight tackles and two tackles for loss. Reynolds recorded eight tackles; Meckna had an interception and four tackles; Barry Fries and Austen Shirley each notched three tackles; while Ferguson, Kyle Witt, Sam Huff and Logan Bird each added two tackles.
Elkhorn High (2-4) finishes its murder’s row of opponents to start the 2023 campaign. The Antlers faced the top-four teams in Class B and last year’s state runner-up in Gross Catholic in their first six games. The red and white host Blair (3-3) Friday at 4 p.m.
Elkhorn North (6-0) looks to go 7-0 for the first time in program history, as the Wolves welcome Mount Michael to town for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Thursday.
“It all starts at practice and coming ready to work day by day,” Meckna concluded. “If we have a great week of practice, we are going to win the game. It is that easy.”
Wolf junior Chase Loftin is brought down by an Antler defender during the first quarter of Friday's game.
Antler receiver Andrew Salvatore races to the end zone for a score.
Elkhorn North signal caller threw for 152 yards, a score and ran for 46 yards.
Antler receiver Charlie Lamski (left) reaches for a ball in the end zone, while Wolf senior Tommy Meckna defends.
Antler receiver Charlie Lamski (left) reaches for a ball in the end zone, while Wolf senior Tommy Meckna defends.
Peyton Turman (top) and Elliot Beister (bottom) led the Antler passing and ground games, respectively.
Tyson Agler
Date
October 2, 2023
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