8-0 EC defeats Union, earns “section title”

Ellwood City continued their magical season Friday night with a great victory over the 2nd best winning streak in the conference, that being the Union Scotties. Even though they came into the ballgame 2-5 and on a 2 game winning streak, the Scotties and coach Niedbala would be a test for the Wolverines early on.

First quarter action saw the Wolverines get an early stop on defense as Union went three and out. The Wolverines offense took the ball and drove down the field primarily through the air, leaning on the shoulders of #12 Chris Smiley and #1 Dom Hogue. Not forgetting #2 Elijah Palmer-McCane, EPM helped the Wolverines get on the board waltzing in from three yards out. The PAT attempt was good by #19 Caitlin Kreitzer to make the early score 7-0.

Wolverines and the Scotties would trade back and forth posessions, playing a field position game that was a stalement to end the first quarter.

Second quarter saw more of the same of the wide receiver screen play along with the methodical running of Palmer-McCane. EPM added the second score of the night from 9 yards out, after a fumble recovery by the defense. The PAT attempt was good by Kreitzer to make the score 14-0.

Mid second quarter played similar to mid first quarter, where both teams had possession of the ball, but could not finish off the drive.

The Wolverines were driving but a fumble on offense gave Union the ball as another Wolverine drive into the redzone went for zero points. However, the ensuing play on offense saw a pass from Union get picked off by #6 Gavin Partridge giving the Wolverines one last shot on offense before halftime. A pass by Smiley over the middle was caught by Hogue who cut straight across the yard mark and then turned up field. Blockers all ahead, Hogue scored the 23 yard reception. The PAT was blocked to keep the halftime score 20-0 in favor of EC.

Third quarter action saw much of what the first half of posessions looked like - Wolverines moving the ball but being stopped on 4th down near the redzone and the Scotties just not getting into a rythm with passing and rushing on offense. The Wolverines defense had much to say about the Scotties offense, getting 4 turnovers on the night while holding Union to just 105 yards on the night.

4th quarter saw both offenses pick up the pace a little bit where both teams combined for 19 points in the quarter. Ellwood City scored the first points of the quarter after a 5 yard touchdown run by EPM. The lone score on the night for the Scotties came from the best drive of the night by Union, capped off with a touchdown pass by #12 Lucas Stanley to #7 Maddox Thompson from 9 yards out. The featured duo for the Scotties carried most of the load, Thompson with 32 rushing yards and Stanley with 71 passing yards.

The final score of the night was a nice answer to the only 6 points given up by the Wolverines - another passing touchdown by Smiley, this time to Senior #11 Josh Gilchrist from 15 yards out. PAT kick was good by Kreitzer making the final score 33-6 in favor of EC.

The Wolverines outgained Union 4:1 (439 to 105) while having 23 first downs compared to just 6. EC also forced 4 turnovers on the night, giving them 20 turnovers on the season (+12). EPM carried the load for the Wolverines with 28 carries for 189 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns, giving him 50 total touchdowns in his career. Smiley went 16 of 31 with 187 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, giving him a 10 to 5 ratio on TDs versus INTs. Dom Hogue had a great night, catching the ball 6 times for 77 yards, giving him 371 receiving yards on the season.

The Wolverines now 8-0 (6-0) clinch at least a share of the MAC title, the first title for EC football since 1997. The Wolverines will look to close out the regular season taking on the Beaver Falls Tigers 0-9 (0-6) on Senior Night from Helling Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 PM while Senior Night coverage begins at 6:30 PM via ECS live stream.

Once again, history being made for Ellwood City Wolverines football - why not Ellwood!?!?