Wolverines struggle to keep pace with Beavers
Helling Stadium Friday night featured two teams with only 6 games of history, but the past two meetings had a higher level of importance. Last year, Ellwood City defetaed Western Beaver for only the second time in the history and the first in regulation for that matter while turning an undefeated regular season. This year, history repeated itself, but for the team in purple - Western Beaver’s victory over the Wolverines continues to help their battle with the perfect season this year.
Western Beaver took the ball first with a drive that stalled out with a punt. Ellwood City drove the ball down the field and even made it beyond the 30 yard line of the Beavers. Unfortunately, the Wolverines would be turned away on fourth down.
The following drive saw a big run play of more than 50 yards by Wyatt Sparbanie that ultimatley set up the first scoring playing by quarterback Amari Marshall from 7 yards out. The PAT kick by Noah Schweikert was good to make the score 7-0 WB.
Ellwood City would find an answer on the following drive, running through the Beaver’s defense with a 1 yard rushing touchdown by Richard Cureton. The 2-point conversion run was failed by EC, keeping the score 7-6 WB.
Ellwood City would not lead in the game as another great drive including Sparbanie would set up the Beavers second touchdown. However, Sparbanie would be injured and not return with an armband sling on his left arm. The scoring drive was capped off by Amari Marshall again, this time from 10 yards out. The PAT kick was failed wide right to keep the score 13-6 WB.
The Wolverines would find an answer before halftime, with turnovers being costly by both teams. After an interception by Tyler Smiley and the Wolverines defense, EC would score again via the run by Guilian Frisk from 12 yards out. Unfortunately again the 2-point conversion attempt pass was failed to keep the half score 13-12 WB.
Much of the second half of the game featured the run game by Western Beaver while the pass game was decent enough for Ellwood City, it just would not go for any more scores on the night.
Western Beaver would add a score in the third quarter via the run by Braden Mayo from 6 yards out after not having a single carry in the first half. Western Beaver would then add one more score early in the fourth quarter yet again by Mayo from 7 yards out. The 2-point conversion run would be good by Marshall as the final score would read 27-12 in favor of Western Beaver.
Ellwood City would hit the 200 yard mark and actually have less penalties and turnovers in the game, but the running offense of the Golden Beavers would hit their average yet again, going for 252 yards in the game. Western Beaver improved to 7-0 (4-0) with the victory, while Ellwood City now falls below the playoff line with back-to-back losses to go 3-4 (2-2).
However, every EC fan knows now what EC must do. Win the three remaining games and they will be in. Win two of the three remaining games, and EC should be fine as well. Either way, Ellwood City needs to win the games they will be favorited in down the stretch. EC will still have to play Beaver Falls (ahead) and Union (below) where EC could control their own way into the postseason.
This upcoming week is Senior Week with Friday being Senior Night for EC. They will be hosting…you guessed it…rival RivEll Cup Riverside (4-3) in the biggest game of the season to date, with the winner taking a big step to possibly getting second place in the section. Festivities will begin at 6:15 PM approximately for all Seniors in Fall Sports to make their way across the field. ECS will have the live video stream coverage of the battle of the city between the teams in blue and green. #ECGoBlue
2A-2 MAC RESULTS - WEEK SIX
Western Beaver 27-12 Ellwood City
Riverside 37-7 Freedom
Beaver Falls 28-22 Union
New Brighton 38-35 Mohawk
