The Ellsworth High School varsity Bearcats football team traveled the long distance west to Lakin Nov. 1 to face off against the Broncs in the first round of the 2A state playoffs.

The Bearcats’ hopes of a playoff run, however, were ruined with a 21-14 loss.

The ‘Cats won the coin toss and elected to kick to Lakin. The Broncs began play on the west end of the field.

The first quarter was filled with very limited excitement. There was not much offense, resulting in many defensive stops and punts.

The second quarter was similar to the first. Points were finally added to the board with less than a minute to go in the first half. The Broncs were the first to score with a long touchdown pass, to finish out a 60-yard drive for Lakin. The PAT kick was good, giving the Broncs a 7-0 lead going into halftime.

Both teams came out in the second half with much more momentum. The ‘Cats quickly tied up the score with a kickoff return touchdown from Luke Sharp to start the third quarter. The extra point by Alberto Socorro de la Fuente was successful, making the score 7-7.

Lakin responded quickly, however. The Broncs took back the lead with a long touchdown run. The PAT kick was good.

With 8:41 remaining in the third quarter, Lakin led Ellsworth 14-7.

Lakin’s next drive was concluded with a touchdown saving interception from the Bearcats senior leader Luke Dunn.

To open the fourth quarter, the Bearcats tied up the score again with a touchdown run and a successful extra point attempt by Socorro.

In Lakin’s drive four minutes later, the Broncs took back the lead with a touchdown pass. The PAT kick was good, giving Lakin a 21-14 lead with eight minutes remaining in the game.

The ‘Cats had possession for the rest of the game. Ellsworth marched all the way down the field until the final whistle. With three seconds remaining, the Bearcats were on the two-yard line on fourth and goal. Lakin’s defense stopped quarterback Morgan Kelley behind the line of scrimmage to end Ellsworth’s season.

With the loss, Ellsworth finished the regular season with a 5-4 record.

The ‘Cats had possession for the rest of the game. Ellsworth marched all the way down the field until the final whistle.