Grand Island Northwest bringing potent offense

While the Sidney High football players and their fans were celebrating last week’s shutout victory at Lexington, another final score came in that piqued their interests.

Grand Island Northwest 38, Scottsbluff 35.

So when GINW visits Sidney on Friday night in a clash of 4-1 teams, the Red Raiders already know not to take the Vikings lightly.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Weymouth Field.

Much of that comes to light with a glance at the Vikings’ offensive statistics through five games this season.

GINW’s senior quarterback Christian Ellsworth has completed 91 of 149 passes (61 percent) for 1,138 yards. He’s tossed 13 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.

Sixteen different GINW players have caught a pass this season. Brandon Gannon leads the way with 23 receptions for 314 yards and 3 TDs. Colton Helgoth has 15 catches for 294 yards and 3 TDs, while Bryce Williams, Isaiah Daws and Brook Brown all have double-digit reception totals.

On the ground, GINW has three players who have run for more than 200 yards as well.

Ellsworth has 270 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on 75 carries, while teammates Ryan Gill (36 carries, 240 yards, 3 TDs) and Austin Cooper (41 carries, 218 yards 2 TDs) provide a strong supporting cast.

On defense, Daws is averaging 13 tackles per game and Taylor Gannon is bringing down nearly 12 ball carriers a contest.