The senior linebacker will play his last game for the Cougars in Saturday's First National Bowl large-school state championship game against South at Tom Huffer Sr. Stadium.
"It's pretty scary," Ellis said. "Even just today, I picked up some dirt and thought, 'This is my last time practicing on this field.' "
Ellis, one of eight seniors starting on defense, is the leading tackler for the Cougars this season with 112 tackles in 10 games. He earned first-team all Cook Inlet Conference honors and defensive coordinator Numi Ilalio said the level of intensity Ellis brings to the field may make him the toughest player to replace next season.
"He's a little bit crazy," Service coach Jason Caldarera said.
When it comes to ferocious playing styles, Caldarera said comparisons can easily be drawn between Ellis and his favorite NFL player.
"Ray Lewis is my favorite all-time linebacker, without a doubt," Ellis said. "He was a really good wrestler, good athlete."
Lewis was a Florida state high school wrestling champion in 1993, long before he became the 2001 Super Bowl MVP for the Baltimore Ravens or was named to 12 Pro Bowls. Ellis is a two-time defending state wrestling champion in the 189-pound weight class, the same weight class Lewis wrestled at in high school, and both carry skills learned on the mat to the gridiron.
"Wrestling has been the best thing for football," said Ellis, who picks wrestling as his favorite of the two sports.
"Football is a place where I can release, strap on a helmet and let all my worries go away," he said.
The individual nature of wrestling makes it much different than football, but Ellis credits his grappling skills for helping him shed blockers as he pursues ball carriers. He also credits 275-pound nose guard Devonte Wyche.
"He'll get in there and just throw the other team's center out of the way and open up running lanes for me," Ellis said.
Ellis said it seems like he has played middle linebacker his whole life. He loves the position because he is responsible for covering both sides of the field. His favorite play of the season, however, isn't a great tackle and it isn't even the 2-yard touchdown run he made on a rare offensive carry against West.
Ellis' favorite play is one he completely messed up.
In the final game of the regular season, West running back Lincoln Tulimasealii rounded the left side of the Eagles' line and Ellis failed to make a tackle he should have made. Teammate Erich Pili, a 290-pound defensive tackle, swooped in behind Ellis and stopped the runner.
"I went up to him after the play and told him I totally missed it," Ellis said. "Erich looked at me and said, 'That's all right, dude. I got your back.' "
Ellis said the play illustrates the selfless teamwork carrying the Cougars to their third state title game in four years. Service won a title in 2008 and finished runner-up to West last season.
"We are super close. We're family," Ellis said. "Last year's team was awesome. We had a lot of great athletes, but it wasn't the same."
Ellis said this year's squad spends a lot of time together off the field. They even created a new midweek bonding ritual called "Wings and Things Wednesday nights."
"We take our center and other linemen out to eat to let 'em know we love 'em," Ellis said.
The time together creates friendships that carry over to the field, something Ellis thinks is crucial to developing a successful football team.
"When you're friends you can trust them, and trust is the most important part of football," he said. "If you can't trust your teammates, you can't trust yourself."
Caldarera said Ellis is a vocal team captain who occasionally gives an impromptu speech to the team. He recently told everyone the story of his first experience at a state championship game.
Ellis was called up to varsity as a freshman at the end of the 2008 season. Ellis didn't play much in that championship-game victory over Juneau but said he watched his brother Nate play his heart out as the team's senior nose guard.
At the end of the game, Nate walked over to his little brother and told him to be sure to win a title in his senior year, because there is no feeling like it.
Ellis could very well carry on the family tradition, because Service has experienced little resistance on its way to a 9-0-1 record this season.
Service last played South on Sept. 16 and beat the Wolverines 48-13. Ellis insists the previous result has no bearing on their upcoming game, because the Cougars believe in playing one game at a time.
"We are going into this game with a full head of steam," he said.
Reach Jeremy Peters at jpeters@adn.com or 257-4335.
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