(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photo) Northern Elite running back Landon Kalkofen (5) plows through Living Word Lutheran's Beau Kuhl (2) in the second half of a non-conference game, Saturday at Marvin Roeple Field in Niagara.

NIAGARA, Wis. — Behind three touchdowns through the air from quarterback Mark Schaefer, Living Word Lutheran of Jackson, Wis., defeated Northern Elite 26-16 at Marvin Roeple Field in Niagara on Saturday afternoon.

It was the season opener for both teams. The three school co-op N.E. Predators are competing in 11-player football for a final season in 2021.

Beginning next season, Niagara will shift to WIAA 8-player competition, while Goodman-Armstrong Creek High School and Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine High School will co-op and field an 8-player team as well.

The Timberwolves are members of the Midwest Classic Conference.

“Their physicality and depth up front kept us reeling most of the game,” said first year Predators head coach Brian Bousley. “We have low numbers, although we have a lot of seniors. But last season we only played two games, so the seniors and also the juniors, didn’t get much game action last season, and that doesn’t help. But we’ll adjust to that as the season goes on.”

Landon Kalkofen and Sam Niven had touchdown runs for the Predators, who trailed 20-8 at halftime.

For more coverage, please see Monday’s edition of The Daily News.

L.W. L 6 14 0 6 — 26

N. Elite 0 8 0 8 — 16

Scoring

1st Quarter

LWL- Allen Torian 47 yard pass from Mark Schaefer (Run Failed), 9:24

2nd Quarter

N.E- Landon Kalkofen 1-yard run (Kalkofen Run), 10:33

LWL- Jaron Crowder 27 yard run (Schafer to Matthew Fox), 7:52

LWL- Crowder 32 yard pass from Schafer (Pass Failed), 0:00

4th Quarter

LWL- Fox 43 yard pass from Schafer (Pass Failed), 11:03

NE – Sam Niven 2-yard run (Kalkofen Run), 0:42.8