Elks Score 50 Points in Shutout Homecoming Victory

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

ELKHART — The Messenger Game of the Week produced a dominant performance from the Elkhart Elks last Friday, as Elkhart defeated Winona, 50-0, at home.

The Elks will now take that momentum on the road Friday, Sept. 25, when they face San Augustine at 7 p.m.

Elkhart’s victory over Winona was not built around one player alone, although senior running back Dalton Walker certainly had a night to remember.

Walker carried the ball 22 times for 257 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 11.68 yards per carry. His performance accounted for the majority of Elkhart’s 362 rushing yards.

As a team, the Elks carried the ball 43 times and averaged 8.41 yards per carry. Garrett Dunaway added 45 yards on seven carries, while Aaron Black rushed for 26 yards on seven attempts. Atticus Polk contributed 20 yards on four carries, Riley Phillips gained 13 yards on two carries and Adyn Luman added one yard and a touchdown on his lone rushing attempt.

The Elkhart offense finished with 391 total yards, including 29 yards through the air. The Elks scored seven touchdowns and did not commit a turnover.

Black completed three of four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. Phillips caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown, while Polk added one reception for six yards.

The numbers reflected an offense that was efficient when it had the football and consistently created large gains on the ground.

Elkhart scored 21 points in the first quarter and added 15 more in the second to take a 36-0 lead into halftime. The Elks scored another 14 points in the third quarter before the game moved into a scoreless final period.

While Walker contributed four touchdowns and 257 rushing yards, the overall numbers showed a balanced effort from the Elkhart roster. Dunaway provided additional production in the running game, Black contributed both as a passer and runner, and Phillips scored touchdowns as both a receiver and a rusher.

The Elks’ ball security was also a major part of the victory. The Elks has zero turnovers, giving Elkhart a clean offensive performance from start to finish.

The shutout was equally important. Winona was held scoreless throughout the game, while Elkhart’s defense allowed the offense to continue building its lead without giving the Wildcats an opportunity to recover.

The victory moved Elkhart to 2-2 on the season. The Elks opened the year with a 35-20 victory over Grapeland before dropping games to Anderson-Shiro and Union Grove. The win over Winona gave Elkhart a strong response and sent the team into its next road game with momentum.

San Augustine will provide another challenge Friday. The Wolves enter the matchup at 2-2 after defeating West Sabine, 27-6, last week.

For Elkhart, the task will be to reproduce the same combination of production and discipline that led to the shutout win over Winona. The Elks’ ground game has shown it can generate big plays, while the passing game has been efficient when called upon.

Elkhart sets off to San Augustine for Friday’s 7 p.m. matchup.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]