After being handed a lopsided shutout defeat last week, the Riverside Panthers were looking to rebound on their home field Friday night and prevailed in a convincing 24-0 shutout victory over Western Beaver.
The Panther defense bounced back in pitching the shutout, allowing less than 150 yards of total offense.
The Riverside offense was able to score early and relied on the ground game to dictate the mistake-free victory. LeMarcus Cleckley scored two first half touchdowns to lead the offense with sophomore Hunter Nulph capping the scoring with a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter. Wyatt Ray knocked in a 25-yard field goal for Riverside.
Riverside (2-1 overall) will stay at home next week against Shenango at 7:00 PM.
For the Ellwood City Wolverines, a defensive struggle against the Neshannock Lancers finally broke free in the second half, but two fourth quarter scores by Neshannock, including a defensive score, downed the Wolverines bid for victory.
The Wolverines played well on both sides of the ball, rushing for over 200 yards as a team and limiting the Lancers to less than 200 yards of total offense in the contest, but four fumbles negated momentum and scoring opportunities for Ellwood City until the offense punched in with a 3rd quarter touchdown.
The game had worked to a scoreless draw in the first half before the Wolverine senior Ricky Pitrelli was able to plunge in from 6 yards out for the Wolverines lone score.
The Lancers were finally able to counter in the 4th quarter when Jack McCormick connected with Anthony Dovidio for a 4-yard touchdown to put Neshannock ahead 7-6 late in the contest. Neshannock’s defense later sealed the victory, as a bad snap and ensuing fumble was returned it 10 yards for the score with 1:53 remaining putting the Lancers ahead 14-6.
Donavin Chambers led the Wolverine ground attack with 93 yards on 21 carries while Petrilli checked in with 86 total yards (63 rushing, 23 receiving) in addition to his touchdown.
Ellwood City (0-4 overall) next hosts Freedom this Friday as part of Lincoln High School homecoming festivities.
LeMarcus Cleckley… not Maurice