Esko Throttles Cloquet In Season Opener

Photos By; Shelley Robideaux

Tyler Peterson-NSO

The Esko Eskomos hosted the Cloquet Lumberjacks in the season opener on Saturday afternoon. The Eskomos would come out victorious in the rivalry game, throttling the Lumberjacks 48-6, in a game that was called at the end of the 3rd quarter due to weather.

The Eskomos scored early in the first quarter off of a blocked punt that was returned by Dawsen Cossalter 11 yards to make it an early 6-0 lead. The Eskomos would block another punt in the 1st quarter and return it to the house, this time Isaak Blue with the 6 yard return. Jaxton Turner would convert the 2 points and make it a score of 14-0.

In the 2nd quarter, Esko would continue to dominate. They would make it 21-0 after Turner burnt into the end zone from 30 yards out. Cole Litsey would then plow into the end zone from 6 yards to make it 28-0. The Eskomos weren’t done there, as Turner scored again, this time from 23 yards out. The special teams would once again block another punt, this time with Derek Peterson returning it 4 yards to make it a 42-0 score at halftime.

Jaxton Turner would show what he can do on the defensive side of the ball in the 3rd quarter, scoring on a 55 yard interception return to make it 48-0. Cloquet would finally get on the board in the 3rd when Jeb Leone rushed from 33 yards away to plummet into the end zone, making it a 48-6 score in the 3 quarter game.

The Eskomos kick off their season with a 1-0 record. They will host Two Harbors on August 28th. The Lumberjacks start their year off in disappointing fashion and with a 0-1 record. They will look to bounce back on August 28th when they host Virginia.

Tyler Peterson can be contacted at tpeterson@northlandsportsonline.com