EC defeats Lancers, first time since 2005

The Wolverines traveled to the “Team Up North” - Neshannock, the farthest team North for WPIAL action - to take on the 2-0 Lancers. The Wolverines were not the only one who traveled to Neshannock, as once again bad weather roamed through the entire area of WPIAL football. But just like the weather came through and made a statement, so did the Wolverines - defeating Neshannock in a big non-section matchup 28-21.

Wolverines made the early statement of the game, taking the opening kickoff and driving down the field with an aid of a big running play of 30 plus yards by none other than #2 Elijah Palmer-McCane. The Wolverines struck first, via the quarterback keeper by #12 Chris Smiley who faked out everyone in the stadium, including our own camera man! The 11 yard scamper made the early score 7-0 with the PAT good by #19 Caitlin Kreitzer at the 7:36 Q1 mark.

Neshannock looked to answer with a short field after the kickoff, but after a couple great defensive plays including a sack, the Wolverines held the Lancers on downs around the 16 yard line. The Wolverines took the ball and methodically drove down the field, scoring once again this time via the run by a 6 yard TD run by Palmer-McCane. The Wolverines may not have been making big plays, but doing just enough to take a 14-0 lead early second quarter.

But games are made with momentum shifts, and sure enough the second quarter went to the Lancers. After being down 14-0, the Lancers scored their own running touchdown by #3 Anthony Eakin from 35 yards out. The PAT was good by #2 Geoffrey Measel to cut the lead in half. The Wolverines looked to quickly answer before the end of the first half, but the ensuing kickoff was fumbled on the return, giving Neshannock and short field to go. Sure enough, the Lancers took the gift and scored on the drive even with their own setbacks via the penalty. The score was by #1 Jino Mozzocio on the QB keeper from 1 yard out. PAT was good by Measel to make the score tied at 14 with 7:30 left in the half.

All momentum was shifted back to Neshannock as the Wolverines offense seemed to get into long yardage situations on third down. But the Wolverines were still converting third downs and the occasionally 4th downs. Sure enough EC was driving down the field slowly, bleeding the clock to about 2:30 minutes as the unfortunate lightning strike in the area caused the game to be delayed with local time being 7:47 PM.

Somehow though unlike other locations in the county, Neshannock and Ellwood City was able to resume their game with no interuption. After the one hour delay, the Wolverines drive picked back up on a 4th down play. Unfortunately, the Wolverines were not able to get the first down and Neshannock took the ball back once again.

We didn’t know how good the Wolverines defense was after Week Zero with the back and forth action against Laurel, but after this night, everyone now knows the Wolverine defense is for real. Neshannock found that out as well, going three and out and giving the ball back to EC yet again. This time though, the Wolverines took advantage on 2nd down as Smiley took three steps back and launched a perfect pass to EPM coming out of the backfield splitting two defenders into the endzone for the 59 yard touchdown pass. The PAT was no good by Kreitzer off of the right post, but the Wolverines led 20-14 heading into halftime.

Halftime was shortened to just under two minutes as both bands’ halftime shows were called due to the rain, but the action quickly picked back up with Neshannock getting the ball to start quarter three. However, just like the drive prior to halftime, the Lancers offense sputtered and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty set up Neshannock to punt the ball back to the Wolverines. Ellwood had a carbon copy drive right before halftime, this time with EPM having big plays out of the backfield, gaining a 30 plus yard rush play to get the ball down to the three yardline. Two plays later Smiley added the 1 yard QB keeper to make the score 26-14. EC went for two with EPM as he rushed into the endzone on the right side handoff, making the score 28-14.

Neshannock was able to bounce back even though their offense sputtered on the ensuing kickoff. The Lancers defense held Wolverines in check to get the ball back before the end of the third quarter. Neshannock was able to capitalize on the short field close to midfield. The drive was capped off with another Mozzocio score, this time from 9 yards out. PAT was good by #86 Nicholas Bender to make the score 28-21 heading into the final quarter of play.

The Wolverines continued to take time off the clock, using the entire playclock till about 10 seconds left on each play. Unfortunately, the Wolverines offense became a little predictable running the ball while penalties also played a factor in the positve yard plays. Back and forth both teams went, as both teams’ offensive squads were being stopped by the opposing defenders. Neshannock had an opportunity to break through, but a Wolverines interception by #5 Dailonn Currie stopped the Lancers inside the 20 yardline. The interception was big to keep the Lancers at bay, but even more outstanding as Mozzocio was well known for keeping the turnovers to a minimum in his career.

The running game for Ellwood City was once again held in check, which gave Neshannock another drive. This also included a possible interception opportunity by Neshannock’s defense, but somehow the football was just bouncing in favor of EC. Ellwood also was held on 4th down around 6 minutes left to ice the game, which gave Neshannock one…more…chance at tying the game.

Neshannock for the third straight time in the quarter was held in check with 3:52 remaining in the game. Neshannock decided to pin the Wolverines back in their endzone, knowing that they still had three timeouts to work with. Ellwood City went back to their “bread and butter” play of just running the ball with EPM and Smiley. Sure enough, the Wolverines did just enough to get the final first down of the game. On fourth down, the Wolverines went for it with just over 2 minutes, as EPM fell forward just needing four yards. A final measurement came as the ECS crew zoomed tight on the sticks. FIRST DOWN! First down was pointed by the head official and the game was officially in the hands of the Wolverines. 2:01 was just left as the Wolverines kneeled down three times to finish the game in favor of Ellwood City 28-21.

The Wolverines victory over Neshannock was the first since 2005 when EC won 20-3. Since then, Neshannock had won 6 in a row with a combined score of 243 to just 55. Palmer-McCane finished with 29 carries for 200 yards while averaging 6.9 per carry. Smiley added 25 yards rushing with 2 TDs while passing for 80 yards and 1 TD. The Wolverines had 322 yards on offensive while holding Neshannock to just 204 yards on the night. The biggest stat of the game was third down and fourth down conversion combined - EC finished 7 of 20 while Neshannock was just 2 of 11 on those downs.

The Wolverines improve to 2-0 (0-0) on the season and will look to continue the winning ways when they play host to the Mohawk Warriors 1-1 (0-0) Friday night from Helling Stadium. Game is slated for 7:00 PM with a pregame by ECS at 6:45 PM.