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Struggling Ely, at 1-7, to open 7A football playoffs at Braham
The Ely Timberwolves have nothing to lose Tuesday night.
They’ll be heavy underdogs as they enter Section 7A high school football playoff action, on the road, against Braham.
The Bombers cruised past the Wolves in late-September and are seeded third in the section, while the Wolves are sixth and head into the postseason at 1-7.
That includes six straight defeats, including a 44-6 thumping delivered by number-two Mille Lacs on Wednesday.
Mille Lacs led 36-0 at halftime and sent the contest into running time in the fourth quarter.
Ely picked up its only score in the final frame, on a run by sophomore Sean Merriman.
Tuesday’s rematch with Braham is set for 6 p.m. and follows a 42-12 loss there on Sept 27.
In the Oct. 11 home finale, Class AA Barnum shook off a slow start and dominated the rest of the way, winning 44-8 at Ely School Stadium.
The Wolves stopped the Bombers on their first possession and forced a fumble, and Ely recovered the ball.
But the hosts couldn’t move against the burly Bombers and a punt attempt ended in a safety and a 2-0 lead.
That’s where it stood after one quarter, but Barnum tacked on three second-quarter touchdowns to take control of the game.
Ely’s only touchdown came in the fourth quarter, by sophomore back Cyle Merhar.
Senior Alex Merriman led the Wolves with 67 yards on the ground and junior Jesse Oelke followed with 40.
Merhar ran for 30 yards and sophomore quarterback Max Brandriet had a twopoint conversion run and 15 yards rushing.
On defense, senior Brady Eaton was the Wolves’ top tackler with 12 stops and classmate Garrett Rohr finished with 10.
Oelke recorded nine tackles, followed by Alex Merriman (five), Leo McKrahl (four) and Makena Bodas (three).
