Wolverines sputter in opener, lose 43-14 to Laurel
The 2025 WPIAL Football campaign got under way from Helling Stadium on Friday night as the Spartans were victorious against the host Ellwood City Wolverines. Fresh off of the 2024 season that included an undefeated regular season winning streak of 10 games dating back to the finale in 2023 (41-0 victory against Riverside), the Wolverines were looking to keep success going in the non-section Lawrence County showdown. But with the recent success, over 10 plus starting positions had to be filled as EC graduated 16 Seniors last year. However, if you ask anyone associated with the football team, last year is last year - time to prove yet again that EC is on the map from Helling Stadium.
Opening ceremonies featured the Lincoln High School Marching Blue Band under the direction of Mr. Lee Caldwell with live coverage presented by ECS - Thad Sturgeon, Brad Windhorst, and Dakota Marshall. Head Coach Dan Bradley and the Wolverines entered the field with the traditional USA flag being carried by Cameron Mills and the EC flag being carried by Anthony Barberio.
Ellwood City kicked off to the Spartans as Laurel won the opening toss. EC’s defense picked up where they left off last year, forcing Laurel to a three-and-out to start the game. Unfortunately EC’s offense was quickly shutdown as their first snap of the season resulted in a turnover via the fumble. Laurel didn’t waste any time, putting points up on the board three plays later as Nathan Hill rushed in for the touchdown. The PAT was good by kicker Maya Jarrett.
Week Zero had some quick change of events that happened throughout the night with Ellwood City fighting back for most of the game. The ensuing kickoff by Laurel was taken by returner Dom Hogue who made it all the way down to the three yard line of the Spartans. Just one play later, quarterback Tyler Smiley took the QB sneak and rushed into the endzone for the score. PAT was good by kicker Aiden Huth.
Both teams were held in check for the next nine minutes of gametime, but Laurel was driving as the score read 7-7 heading into the second quarter. Laurel’s Kolton Carlson took the second snap of the quarter and rushed into the endzone. The PAT was missed to keep the score 13-7. Unfortunately for Ellwood City, field position and turnovers would haunt them in the second quarter, as a bad snap on a punt ended up with a safety to give Laurel a 15-7 lead. Kolton Carlson would then continue to take over the game, scoring on a 53 yard pass play from quarterback Luca Santini to make the score 22-7 with the PAT good by Jarrett. Carlson would add one more score, this time by the jet sweep run to the left, breaking several tackles into the endzone, making the score 29-7 heading into halftime with the PAT good again by Jarrett. Laurel scored 22 straight points to carry all momentum into the locker room.
The home fans did get a chance to cheer on the Wolverines in the second half, as EC looked to drive down the field, getting into Spartan territory. However, quarterback Smiley came up just one yard short on a long 4th down play giving the ball back to Laurel. Laurel gave back some life yet again as a bad snap on the punt attempt gave EC the ball back near the three yard line. The short yardage drive was capped off with a touchdown by quarterback Smiley on the sneak, making the score 29-14 with the PAT good by Huth.
But that would be as close as the Wolverines would get on the scoreboard as Laurel would answer the score late in the third quarter, this time by Nathan Hill from 2 yards out. The PAT was good by Jarret, all but sealed the game with Laurel leading 36-14 heading into the fourth quarter. With the lead in hand, both teams had one more turnover in the quarter with several junior varsity members being subbed in late. Laurel would strike one more time as Luca Santini completed a 25 yard pass to Tony Geiwitz for the score. PAT was good by Jarrett as the final score read 43-14 in favor of the Spartans.
Final stats read in favor of the Spartans across the board, with the biggest deficit being total yards. Laurel finished the game with 358 yards, doubling up EC who was held to 162 yards. Turnovers hurt the Wolverines who were a minus two in that category on the night (4 vs 2 turnovers).
But ultimately, it was the Kolton Carlson show. The Senior utility player finished with 8 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns via the run. Carlson also added 3 receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown. Carlson would account for three touchdowns (18 points of 43) while tallying 210 offensive yards of the 358 for the Spartans.
Laurel will look to a non-section showdown against Mohawk while the Wolverines will look to bounce back against non-section 1A foe Shenango Wildcats, just up route 65 this coming Friday. Live coverage of EC (0-1) @ Shenango (0-1) will be on Ellwood City Sports YouTube page, with pregame starting at 6:45 PM.
2A-2 MAC RESULTS - WEEK ZERO
Mohawk 37-20 Neshannock
Western Beaver 42-7 Ambridge
New Brighton 20-7 Shenango
Beaver Falls 12-14 Blackhawk
Freedom 20-38 Quaker Valley
Ellwood City 14-43 Laurel
Riverside 0-56 Hopewell
Union - Idle
