Memorial football eyes more than just 7-0 start: 'We can keep getting better.'

EVANSVILLE — What transpired on the first play Friday night has become a weekly occurrence.

Matthew Fisher rolled to his right but didn’t like either option. So, the Memorial quarterback stopped and went back across the field. His favorite target waited at midfield, spinning around one defender and outrunning three more for a long touchdown.

There are many reasons why the Tigers are still undefeated, a dynamic offense squarely among them. But if you dig into the details, the improvement and importance of senior wide receiver Luke Ellspermann is playing a major role.

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3A No. 1 Memorial rolled to a 47-7 win over 4A No. 5 Reitz at Enlow Field. The victory secured the City title for the Tigers and was their second-largest margin of victory over the Panthers in the series (45-0 in 1937).

"I know we ride them a little bit about being locked in," said Memorial coach John Hurley. "I feel like they've responded. I like the way they compete. They're a low-maintenance group and hold each other accountable."

This game got over quickly. Memorial (7-0) had three touchdowns of at least 60 yards and activated a running block with 3:47 left in the third quarter. A lot of deserved platitude is going to Fisher, who is showing what he can do in this offense when healthy. He's not alone.

Ellspermann caught five passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns. His 60-yarder set the tone on the first play. Two more catches in the third quarter, including a 62-yard score up the seam, sealed the outcome. He also ran for a touchdown late in the first half. His presence no matter where he lines up is becoming an issue for opposing defenses.

"A lot of reps over the summer has led us to this," said Ellspermann. "We knew what we wanted to do from the start. We're really an unselfish group, and that's really important. When one person is doing well, we're cheering for the other. Also staying consistent in practice all week."

The Tigers knew the athlete he could be. Ellspermann was the leading receiver a year ago but was asked to play quarterback down the stretch. The change helped Memorial win a sectional title. Hurley still issued him a challenge: get stronger. How he attacked the weight room in the summer has a lot to do with his success now.

The senior unofficially has 641 yards and 10 touchdowns through seven games.

"It shows," Hurley said of his offseason. "It’s going to help him in anything he does. The more we can get kids to buy in and see the results like he’s seeing, the better we’ll be as a program."

"He's a super-hard worker," added Fisher. "Very competitive and super explosive. Luke does a great job of getting open on plays like (the first touchdown). I found him, and he did the rest."

This performance from Memorial was a continuation of the six prior weeks.

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Fisher threw for a career-high 330 yards on 12 of 15 passing and four touchdowns. The senior, who still hasn't thrown an interception, also ran for two scores. Maxx Anslinger got open for a 64-yard touchdown immediately following the lone Reitz score. Alex Broshears (15 tackles) was the anchor on another stout defensive effort.

The Tigers have scored at minimum 35 points in every game and limited four opponents to under 10. The consistency might be their best attribute. Memorial can earn at least a share of the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference next week.

"We have a lot of pieces right now, and we're healthy," said Fisher. "Hopefully, it stays that way and we keep working. The main thing is to get better each and every week."

Reitz (5-2) was competitive for most of the first half, but too many big plays allowed and a rough stretch in the middle of the game – a questionable catch led to one touchdown but wouldn't have determined the outcome – produced a second straight loss.

Memorial has answered the call each week so far. A major challenge does remain with Castle (6-1 after a two-point conversion stop to beat Jasper) at Bosse Field in two weeks. Everyone in Southwestern Indiana also knows what's looming with Sectional 32.

It's why the only topic directive from the Tigers is remaining locked in.

"There's still a lot of season left," said Ellspermann. "It's definitely not where we want to be. We can keep getting better. We want to play a lot more weeks of football."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Memorial football eyes more than just 7-0 start: 'We can keep getting better.'