Wolverines fight to the end, lose to Spartans

Week Zero is officially in the books for the WPIAL as over 100 teams were in uniform during the Friday/Saturday action. The Wolverines made a trip down to Brentwood High School to take on the Spartans to begin the 2022 football campaign.

Both teams in recent years have had a tough time on the gridiron, but the game did not disappoint. The Wolverines battled to the very end in the non-conference game, but came up just short, 34-21.

Both teams battled back and forth during the first quarter, where the teams combined for only 3 first downs and just over 50 yards. Second quarter action had the game take a full turn as 35 points were scored and over 200 yards combined in the quarter.

However, The Spartans capitalized on three big plays in the quarter including 2 Wolverine turnovers and a roughing the passer late penalty call on 4th down that would have kept the game even mid quarter. The lone score in the half for the Wolverines was a one-way cut up through the middle kick-off return by #26 Dayntae Pierce for 85 yards. The extra point was good by Caitlen Kreitzer.

Maintaining a 28-7 lead, the Spartans received the second half kickoff, but could not finish their drive for points. The Wolverines though were able to finish off a late 3rd quarter drive as QB #12 Chris Smiley connected 25 yards out with WR #17 Brighton Mariacher in the corner of the endzone. Kreitzer on the extra point made the score 28-14 headed to the 4th quarter.

The Wolverines were able to move the ball three times down the field in the 4th quarter, but just could not get on the scoreboard. Mid 4th quarter the Spartans were able to break through once again with their three player attack as Anthony Herisko tallied his second score of the second half to make it 34-14.

A late 4th quarter pass by Smiley to a falling but able-to-recover WR #24 Lennon Lloyd from 34 yards out made the final tally 34-21 with the extra point good by Kreitzer. The Wolverines would get one more chance in the last minute of the game, but could not push the ball down the field.

The Wolverines finished with 269 yards on the evening with 199 through the air. Chris Smiley finished with 2 passing TDs while Dayntae Pierce finished with 38 yards on the ground. The Keys to the Game for the night involved turnovers and penalties, which ultimately was the difference on the night as the Wolverines finished with 5 turnovers and 6 penalties for 44 yards.

The most encouraging thing on the night for Ellwood City was offense and points. It’s the first time in over 4 years that the Wolverines were able to pass for almost 200 yards meanwhile throwing for 2 passing TDs in a single game as well. The 21 points on the evening already surpasses halfway of the points the Wolverines scored just last year (40).

The Wolverines fall to 0-1 on the season while HC Dan Bradley starts his Ellwood City campaign 0-1 as well, but all signs are very encouraging after watching last night’s game. There was great offense, great defense, drama, and action till the very last whistle as the Wolverines played their closest game since a 6-0 loss to New Brighton two years ago.

The Wolverines will now begin practicing for their away Week One matchup against the Union Scotties on Friday 7:00 PM. Union is coming off of a 31-18 loss to #3 1A ranked Canton High School in a non-WPIAL matchup. Union won 39-0 over the Wolverines the last time they met just last year.

ECS will have the live stream coverage of the game starting around 6:50 PM on Friday, including game stats after post game.