Defense, running game help Ephrata edge Grandview

EPHRATA - It was a moment quarterback Nathan Elliot said he had been working for his whole life.

The Ephrata senior made his first start Friday against Grandview after Loyd Burleson was scratched due to a slight shoulder separation.

Elliot - along with the defense and running game - helped the Tigers stave off an upset bid by the Greyhounds and extended their winning streak to four games after hanging on to beat Grandview 26-20.

"I want Loyd on the field as much as the rest of the team because I know he helps the team the most," he said. "But I was ready. I put all the work in this week and I was just excited to get my chance."

Burleson was held out of practice all week so the burden fell squarely on Elliot.

After a rough first series that saw back-to-back fumbles - one of which that was returned for a Grandview touchdown - Elliot composed himself and helped Ephrata (4-0, 4-1) keep pace for a postseason berth.

"I'm so proud of how Nate played tonight," head coach Jay Mills said. "He got better as the game went on and I think that's a big tribute to him and his mental toughness. He came out and didn't let the mistakes bother him.

Grandview (0-4, 1-4) took an early 6-0 lead on the aforementioned fumble return.

Ephrata answered with a 1 yard touchdown run by Nick Lobe with 6:54 left in the second quarter that knotted the score at 6-6.

That score held up until Justin DeHoog's 10 yard touchdown run early in the third quarter put Ephrata up 12-6.

However, the Greyhounds would not go away as Jorge Oros connected with Hector Pena for a 70 yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 12-all.

"We gave up one big play and I thought otherwise defense played pretty good," Mills said. "We've got some things to work on, but we were short Drew Clark as well this week, a starting linebacker. Jacob Firestone stepped in at middle backer and did a nice job so we survived."

Ephrata had opportunities to distance itself from Grandview throughout the second half, but miscues by the offense kept the Greyhounds close.

Late in the third quarter, Elliot was intercepted in the endzone by Jason Diaz. Grandview looked like it would regain the lead on its ensuing possession as the Greyhounds worked the ball down into Ephrata territory.

As the Greyhounds got closer to the goalline, Mills called for Burleson to start warming up on the sideline.

But Elliot would get one more chance for redemption as Oros was intercepted in the endzone by Tyler Lutz.

The turnover ignited the Tigers and back-to-back runs of 20-plus yards by Lutz and Elliot put Ephrata in a position to regain the lead.

Elliot's was especially exciting as he dragged a cadre of Greyhound defenders for extra yards.

"I'm not a fast quarterback, but I'm 220," he said. "I'm bigger than most of the guys so I just got through that hole and those guys were all around me and I'm just like, 'What's up, baby? What's up?' So it was sweet to have that chance to make something."

Lobe was able to punch in his second touchdown of the night and Ephrata took a 19-12 lead.

With the passing game more or less nonexistent, Elliot leaned on Ephrata's stable of running backs.

"They had my back 100 percent," he said. "Monday Nick is like, 'Dude, you're the man.' Tyler has my back always I know and Justin's there. They're all like, 'Great job,' and everybody's just, 'Nate you got this. Good job. You got this, you got this. We believe in you.'"

DeHoog's second rushing touchdown with 3:37 left in the fourth quarter gave Ephrata a nice cushion, 26-12.

Grandview tacked on a late touchdown and two-point conversion, but the rally was too little, too late.

"Find a way to win the game and the kids came through in the second half," Mills said. "It was a good win for us to be in a situation where it's tied at halftime and have to come out and make it work in the second half and so all the credit to our kids for sticking to it and powering through it."