RIDGWAY — Not only did the Elkers hand Clarion its first loss of the 2019 season, they looked dominant doing so. 

Ridgway (6-1) jumped all over the short-handed Bobcats early on, scoring four first-half touchdowns and taking a 28-0 halftime lead en route to a 42-0 victory. 

Gabe Watts had two one-yard scores for the Elkers, quarterback Paul Gresco had a one-yard sneak for a score, and Matt Dush had a 35-yard touchdown all before halftime. 

Dush also had a 70-yard rush on the second play from scrimmage to set up Watts’ first touchdown. 

It was Jake Wickett’s turn to get in on the action in the second half with rushing touchdowns from 30 and 18 yards out. Wickett finished as Ridgway’s leading rusher with 12 carries for 137 yards. 

Dush had 121 yards on just three attempts. 

The Bobcats, meanwhile, were playing without District 9’s leading rusher Austin Newcomb who has been battling a lower-body injury. Friday’s result was the first time Clarion (6-1) had been held under 29 points on the season. The Bobcats were moving the ball early in the game, but were stalled on fourth down plays at the Ridgway 6 and the Ridgway 28-yard-line. 

Ridgway has now won five straight — all by 35 points or more — since a 25-21 loss to Kane in Week 1. 

The Elkers have also now moved into a first-place tie in the Large School division with Clarion and Brookville, and head to Karns City to take on the Gremlins next Friday. The Bobcats, meanwhile, host Bradford that night.