Ellsworth puts it all together, prevails against Harper

The Harper quarterback situation took a strange twist on Saturday afternoon when 18th-ranked Ellsworth Community College (3-2) played at soggy Harper (2-3).

Ellsworth didn't seem to mind the wet conditions, as the Panthers brought their running game and walked away with a decisive 44-21 victory.

Panthers quarterback Rennie Tirrell was able to be a dual threat, both with his feet and with his arm, connecting with fellow Floridian Quintin Robinson on several short passes that went for an extra 3 or 4 yards when Robinson was able to shake Harper tacklers, and throwing 2 touchdowns passes to wide receiver Andre Thomas.

Meanwhile, the Panthers' running game was able to grind out enough yardage to keep the Hawks' defense off balance.

Sophomore Cam Kinley (Larkin) got his first start of the season for the Hawks, replacing Pat Czerwiec, who had started the first four games.

"This week we kind of figured we had to go with one quarterback and battle it out," Czerwiec said.

But Kinley did not finish at quarterback. Czerwiec ended up entering the game in the late in the second quarter and played the second half.

"He did deserve to start," said Czerwiec of Kinley's selection, which was revealed Friday by coach Eric Waldstein. "I was completely behind it."

It is not just the quarterback position that is under scrutiny. The Hawks are taking a week-to-week approach to every position on the offensive side of the ball, and especially an oft-penalized offensive line.

"Penalties hurt us," said Waldstein.

Seemingly every time the Hawks were in position to make a big play, a penalty would nullify the opportunity.

"They made a lot of big plays, but we did not. We had a few on offense," Waldstein said. "I am proud of our guys - they never quit."

Harper plays at 19th-ranked Iowa Central next Sunday at noon. This will be the first time the Hawks will see back-to-back ranked opponents this season.