Wells Combined School

After a 42-12 loss to Carlin, the Leopards were handled with ease by defending state champion Eureka — dropping to 0-2 in a 55-20 loss in its 1A North opener.

The Vandals scored on their second play from scrimmage, junior quarterback Joseph Minoletti throwing a short pass in the right flat to sophomore Dea Benson — who did the bulk of the 51-yard touchdown catch with his legs.

The duo hooked up once again for the conversion, making the score 8-0 with 10:47 on the clock.

Wells was forced to punt on its opening drive, but the ball was muffed — freshman Landon Hall recovering the loose ball at the Eureka 47.

On a jet sweep, junior Joe Dahl broke a 41-yard run around the left edge to the Eureka 3.

After a loss of three, the Leopards crossed the goal line with a six-yard touchdown throw from sophomore quarterback Olen Morrison to sophomore Johnny Glascock on an out-route to the right side.

For the conversion, Morrison rolled out of the pocket and connected with junior Gage Uhlig.

With 7:42 remaining in the first quarter, the score was tied 8-8.

Starting its second possession at the 40, Eureka went 60 yards in one play — junior Alex McKay catching a 60-yard touchdown pass from Minoletti down the left sideline.

The conversion was stopped short with a nice tackle in space by Dahl, but the Vandals led 14-8 with 7:20 on the clock.

With 1:52 remaining in the first, Eureka pushed its lead to 14 — Benson snagging a seven-yard touchdown throw from Minoletti moved the pocket and junior Donovan Mears plunged through the A-gap on the conversion.

At the 10:14 mark of the second quarter, the Vandals jumped to a 30-8 advantage.

Minoletti ran a draw up the middle and reached the ball across the goal line, and senior Jace Kniefel did his best Randy Moss impression with a contested grab over the top of a defender for the conversion.

Dahl gave the Leopards a shot of life on the opening kick of the second half, coming forward and making a running scoop at the 20-yard line — jetting down the left sideline for an 80-yard touchdown.

The conversion was unsuccessful as Kniefel and Russell Rowley combined for a sack, Wells pulling to within 16 at 30-14.

Uhlig recovered a fumble at the Wells 38, but the Leopards gave the ball back with an interception by Minoletti — who returned 33 yards back to the Leopards’ 22.

Wells stiffened and forced a turnover on downs their own three-yard line as freshman Justice Nelson strung out a play and dragged down Minoletti on a scramble.

But, the Leopards coughed the ball up — Mears jumping on the pigskin at the Wells 2.

Minoletti snuck up the middle for a touchdown on the next play.

The conversion fell incomplete, but the Vandals led 36-14 with 4:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Eureka’s lead swelled to 30 at the 3:21 mark of the frame, Benson hauling in a 49-yard touchdown throw down the right sideline from Minoletti on the first play of the drive — Mears rolling around the end on the left edge for the conversion.

Wells’ best semblance of offense proved to be on special teams, Dahl making another house call — returning the ensuing kickoff down the right sideline 79 yards for his second TD.

The conversion resulted in another combined sack for Kniefel and Rowley, but the Leopards brought the score to 44-20 with 3:04 remaining in the third.

In the fourth quarter, the Vandals capped a 52-20 victory — Benson playing quarterback and rolling 41 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown.

No. 12 — not listed on Eureka’s roster — punched in the conversion.

Up Next

The Leopards (0-2) will play their next game on the road at 1 p.m. Sept. 14, in McDermitt.