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

“We pride ourselves on running,” Ernst said. “Our line needs to get the credit. They open up the holes for us.” 

Elk River went up 21-0 just 6 minutes and1 second into the game. Elks starting quarterback Trent Pink scored the two first touchdowns of the game. The junior had scoring runs of 15 yards and 1 yard on Elk River’s first two possessions, making it 14-0. 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 kept fighting, though. Three long fourth-quarter touchdown passes by senior quarterback Lawrence Ogunti, including two to junior wide receiver Amani Hooker, made it a 42-30 game, but that’s as close as the Pirates would get. 

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

“We’re only as good as much as we improve to the next week,” Ernst said. 

Key of the game: Ernst ran for an average of 16.3 yards per carry in the first quarter as Elk River built its commanding 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 scored with 40 seconds left in the first half to cut its deficit to 35-7, Elk River answered back in just  24 seconds. The Elks went  67 yards on two plays, capped by a Trent Pink pass to Nolan Dwyer for a 45-yard catch-and-run touchdown. 

In a battle of 3-0 teams, senior running back Zach Ernst and Elk River ran roughshod over Northwest Suburban Conference foe Park Center in a 42-30 victory.

Using a tricky misdirection rushing offense, the Elks rumbled for 321 yards in the first half alone, going up 42-7 at the break. The 6-0, 176-pound Ernst ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the game - all in the first half. 

Elk River went up 21-0 just 6 minutes and 1 second into the game. Elks starting quarterback Trent Pink scored the two first touchdowns of the game. The junior had scoring runs of 15 yards and one yard on Elk River’s first two possessions, making it 14-0.

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 kept fighting, though. Three long fourth-quarter touchdown passes by senior quarterback Lawrence Ogunti -- two to junior wide receiver Amani Hooker -- made it a 42-30 game, but that’s as close as the Pirates would get. 

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

Check back later for more on the game.