Scouting Practice: Ellsworth Looking To Improve To 3-0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I scout some practices before the season starts, but for the first time, I watched an in-season prep football practice in Ellsworth before my nephew's junior high football game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ellsworth Bearcats are 2-0 to begin the season and are hosting the Minneapolis Lions (1-1) on Friday night. This will be Ellsworth's first home game of the campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats fine-tuned their game plan in a non-padded practice on August 19. Here is a look at four athletes I was impressed with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomorrow night I will be scouting the Beloit Trojans game at Southeast Saline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1296536' first='Landin' last='Johnson']</strong>, RB, 5'10”, 175, Ellsworth, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is ranked No. 466 overall by Prep Redzone. Through two games he has rushed for 459 yards and seven touchdowns. He is a vocal leader for the Bearcats and brings real versatility to the table. He serves as the team's punter, plays linebacker on defense, can carry the ball, lineup out wide as a receiver, or catch the ball from the backfield. I was impressed with his explosiveness. He has a quick first step, but it is his second step that makes the difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403638' first='Cooper' last='McGowan'],</strong> DL/TE, 6'4”, 180, Ellsworth, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGowan is ranked No. 161 in the Kansas Class of 2026.  He is being courted by multiple Division I FBS and FCS programs. In two games he has two receptions for 44 yards and five tackles. He is long and gets separated from blockers as an edge rusher with his length. I understand that he is being looked at more on the defensive side of the ball by college coaches. However, I told his coach, I feel sorry for any undersized safety that gets in his way. My main suggestion for him to raise his recruiting stock is to improve his upper body strength. He is under-ranked right now and will move up during the next update in October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1325120' first='Tucker' last='Goss'],</strong> LB, 6'1”, 185, Ellsworth, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goss is ranked No. 247 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. Through two contests he has collected 10 tackles. He is also playing a role in the Bearcat offensive plans as he has nine carries for 54 yards and three receptions for 63 yards. I was impressed with his football IQ and even though I did not get to see him in pads on Thursday, he looks like he can deliver slobber-knocking hits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daxton Leiker,</strong> DB, 5'10”, 170, Ellsworth, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An unranked talent that coaches need to take a look at is Ellsworth's senior defensive back. In the Bearcats' first two games, he has nine tackles. He has been used on offense some, but his future is on the defensive side. He reads the ball well and helped the defensive formation adjust. He is also a factor on special teams as a return man. He has good hands and could add depth to an NAIA or JUCO program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->