Knights Fall to St. Ignace 64-40 Despite Hopp’s Two Touchdowns

CENTRAL LAKE, Mich. - Central Lake-Ellsworth fell 64-40 to St. Ignace on Friday, Oct. 23, in Central Lake, as costly turnovers and momentum swings undercut the Knights. Bill Hopp scored on both a kickoff return and a rushing attempt.

St. Ignace scored on the opening possession, but Hopp immediately answered with a 70-yard kickoff return to tie the game. The Knights then recovered a botched St. Ignace kick return, giving them another early opportunity. Central Lake-Ellsworth could not turn the recovery into points, leaving that chance to take control unfulfilled.

Hopp led the rushing attack with 118 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Josiah Chellis added 94 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts, while Brady Roggenbeck carried 18 times for 57 yards. Riley Shafer contributed nine yards and a touchdown on five carries. Those four runners combined for 278 yards on 40 attempts as the Knights continued to battle through injuries.

Roggenbeck completed 6-of-14 passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns, both to Shafer. Shafer finished with three receptions for 13 yards, making two of those catches count for scores. Chellis caught two passes for 34 yards and Hopp added a 17-yard reception, giving the Knights contributions from their leading runners in the passing game as well.

Shafer also led the defense with 10 tackles, followed by Nolyn Whisler with seven and Forrest Wilson with six. Chellis recorded five tackles, while Hopp and Mason Henderson each added four. Despite the final margin, the teams were evenly matched through stretches of a hard-fought contest, with the Knights continuing to compete through the final whistle.