Elida senior running back Alex Varela sweeps to the outside trying to get by New Mexico School for the Deaf senior defensive lineman Michael Quinonez in Thursday’s game at Elida.

Elida coach Clay Ferguson left and junior Tyrel King walk off the field after a short meeting with the team during a time out on Thursday at the Elida vs. New Mexico School for the Deaf at Elida.

ELIDA — Senior quarterback Jordyn Tivis threw for 161 yards and three touchdowns as Elida held off New Mexico School for the Deaf 33-26 Thursday in a six-man contest.

Senior running back Alex Varela rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers (1-1) while Mitchell caught five catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns, including a 39-yarder with six minutes left that put Elida ahead for good in the back-and-forth game.

“It was a hard-fought game,” Elida coach Clay Ferguson said. “I’m proud of these kids. We put in a whole new offense and we basically had two full days of practice to learn it. The new offense is more about spreading the defense around and utilize our speed.”

Ferguson, an assistant coach last year, replaced coach Ralph Gawehn, who resigned over the weekend.

Elida Superintendent Jim Daugherty declined to comment on the reason Gawehn resigned, however the ex-coach is still teaching at the school.

Elida sealed the win when Tivis found Varela down the middle for a 40-yard touchdown with 1:07 to go follow a NMSD turnover.

Elida scored its second touchdown of the first half when nose guard Tyrel King fell on Roadrunners’ fumble in the end zone to tie the game at 14.

Sophomore running back Immanuel Nuebauer ran for two touchdowns for NMSD (1-1).