Elk River tops Park Center

Elk River 42,

park center 30

In a battle of 3-0 teams, senior running back Zach Ernst and Elk River ran roughshod over North Suburban Conference foe Park Center. Using a tricky misdirection rushing offense, the Elks rumbled for 321 yards in the first half, going up 42-7 at the break. The 6-foot, 176-pound Ernst ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns — all in the first half.

Elk River went up 21-0 just 6 minutes, 1 second into the game. Elks starting quarterback Trent Pink scored the first two touchdowns. The junior had scoring runs of 15 yards and 1 yard on the Elks' first two possessions. Elk River then recovered an onside kick by the Pirates. Two plays later the Elks were in the end zone again, this time on a 10-yard run by Ernst, and the rout was on.

Park Center closed the margin in the fourth quarter with three touchdown passes by senior quarterback Lawrence Ogunti, including two to junior wide receiver Amani Hooker.

Undefeated Elk River has outscored its opponents 183-78 through four games.

Key of the game: Ernst ran for an average of 16.3 yards per carry in the first quarter as Elk River built a 28-0 lead.

Quote: "Everyone doubts us, but we went out and showed it to them." — Zach Ernst

One thing to know: After Park Center cut the deficit to 35-7, Elk River answered back in just 24 seconds. The Elks went 67 yards on two plays, capped by a pass from Pink to Nolan Dwyer for a 45-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

PATRICK JOHNSON