ELLINWOOD — After shattering a losing streak that spanned three seasons in Week 1, the Larned High School football team may be starting a new streak after Week 2 — a winning one.
The Indians amassed 547 yards of total offense on their way to a 42-20 win over Mid-Central Activities Association foe Ellinwood on Friday night.
“This is huge,” Larned first-year head coach AB Stokes said. “The guys going into the first week didn’t really know what to expect. This week, you know, we came in, and we knew Ellinwood was a good ball club. But it was expected to play well, and expected to have at least a chance to win in the fourth quarter.”
The Eagle started the game well, starting with good field position and scoring first on a 20-yard interception return by Cody Isern.
After that, Indians senior tailback Brady Keith took charge of the game.
Keith finished with five touchdowns, including a momentum-seizing 60-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter on fourth and 3.
“Brady Keith, he deserves every yard that he’s gained,” Stokes said. “He’s endured a lot. Hasn’t really had a lot of success in football, so he deserves everything that he’s getting right now. He’s put a lot into it.”
He rushed for 216 yards on 20 carries.
Quarterback Easton Palmer moved the ball well, completing 14 of 21 passes for 227 yards. He scored on a 1-yard run.
“He’s developing, and the best thing about that is he’s a junior,” Stokes said of Palmer. “He’s picking it up. His whole receiving corps will be back. I don’t like to look too far in the future, but right now, those guys are playing beside themselves. I really commend them for that.”
Ellinwood finished with 224 yards of total offense, most coming from running backs Patrick Ringering and Devin Ramsey.
Ramsey, who finished with 45 yards, got most of the carries with 11 before he was taken to the locker room with an injury late in the third quarter. Ellinwood head coach Dusty Beam said that he was pretty sure that Ramsey broke his right wrist.
Ringering finished with 67 yards and one touchdown.
Quarterback Jared Oelke completed 3 of 11 passes for 63 yards and one interception.
“Jared Oelke has more heart than any kid I know,” Beam said. “He’s the heart and soul of that offense. Patrick Ringering stepped up and made big plays. If we all decide to step up and make big plays all together, it’s going to click.”
Ellinwood hosts Ellis on Friday night.
The Indians host MCAA opponent Thomas More Prep Marian in Week 3.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Friday
At Ellinwood
Larned 42, Ellinwood 20
1 2 3 4 F
Larned 0 22 13 7 — 42
Ellinwood 8 6 6 0 — 20
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
Ellinwood — Cody Isern 20 interception return (Tanner Swank pass from Jared Oelke), :57.
Second Quarter
Larned — Brady Keith 27 run (Easton Palmer run), 11:03.
Ellinwood — Patrick Ringering 14 run (run failed), 8:10.
Larned — Keith 32 run (Eric Ramirez kick), 6:09.
Larned — Keith 11 run (Ramirez kick), 2:47.
Third Quarter
Larned — Palmer 1 run (Ramirez kick), 7:55.
Ellinwood — Ringering 4 run (run failed), 3:41.
Larned — Keith 60 run (kick failed), 1:55.
Fourth Quarter
Larned — Keith 10 run (Ramirez kick), 3:56.
