Starting the season off on a high note, the Ellsworth Bearcats defeated the Russell Broncos 44-22 Friday night.

The ‘Cats were the first to score, with a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Morgan Kelley. With 3:41 left in the first quarter, Ellsworth led Russell, 6-0. The PAT kick by Alberto Socorro De la Fuente was no good. The ‘Cats kept the Broncos scoreless and forced one interception and fumble in the first quarter.

Ellsworth scored its second touchdown in the second quarter with an 11-yard run by Luke Sharp with nine minutes remaining in the first half. Following the touchdown, Kelley’s 2-point conversion run was successful to give the ‘Cats a 14-0 lead.

The end of the second quarter was more favored toward the Broncos. Russell ended the second half with two touchdowns and two successful 2- point conversions to give the Broncos a 16-14 lead.

A stunning kickoff return fumble recovered by Ellsworth at the opening of the second half started the momentum the ‘Cats maintained throughout the rest of the game.

Following the fumble recovery, Kelley ran in a 7-yard Bearcat touchdown with 11:23 remaining in the third quarter. The touchdown was followed with a 2-point conversion ran in by Kelley. Six minutes later, Kelley scored another touchdown and 2-point conversion for Ellsworth, giving the ‘Cats a 30-16 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter began with a fumble recovery for Russell on the Bearcats’ three yard line. That was followed by a one-yard touchdown run for the Broncos and a failed 2- point conversion attempt, decreasing Ellsworth’s lead to eight.

Five minutes later, the ‘Cats had a huge response with a 70- yard touchdown run by Kelley and a successful PAT attempt by Socorro. Following the touchdown, Ellsworth’s Kash Travnichek intercepted Russell’s pass attempt and ran it in for a Bearcat touchdown. The kick was again good by Ellsworth’s Socorro, giving the ‘Cats a 44-22 lead.

Ellsworth ran the clock until the end of the game, giving the ‘Cats a victory in their first game of the 2019 season.

The Bearcats travel to Republic County Friday to play the Buffaloes. Republic County is 0-1 for the season.