Wolverines Remain Unbeaten, Knock Off Mohawk 41-34

Elijah Palmer-McCane rushed for four touchdowns and Chris Smiley threw for two more as Ellwood City defeated Mohawk 41-34 Friday night at Helling Stadium.

The Wolverines jumped out quickly, scoring first on a 49-yard touchdown toss from Smiley to Dom Hogue just minutes into the contest. Ellwood City stretched its lead to 14-0 when Palmer-McCane plunged in from two yards out with less than a minute remaining in the first frame.

The visiting Warriors responded with two touchdowns to knot the score before Smiley found Dailonn Currier for a 35-yard touchdown pass late the second quarter. Mohawk’s Blake Logan knocked in the first of his two field goals to cut the Wolverines lead to 21-17 at time expired in the half.

Logan hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Fadden midway through the 3rd quarter to put the Warriors ahead for the first time in the contest.

Ellwood City responded as Palmer-McCane scored from nine yards out to put the Wolverines back ahead at 28-24.

Palmer-McCane worked hard to overcame a sluggish first half where he was held to under ten yards rushing, with his biggest contribution coming midway through the final quarter.

After Logan’s second field goal of the contest, a 39-yard boot, pulled the Warriors within one, a 61-yard jolt from Palmer-McCane gave the host Wolverines a bit of breathing room as the senior back scampered around left end for the long touchdown run.

Palmer-McCane collected his fourth rushing touchdown of the contest later in the quarter, scoring from three yards out to push the Wolverines advantage to 41-27.

Offensively, Palmer-McCane finished with 146 yards rushing and four touchdowns, Smiley threw for 206 yards, and Hogue hauled in four catches for a team-high 107 yards receiving.

For a game that featured 75 total points, defense was a notable contributor in the contest.

Gavin Partridge and Trent Schilling each came away with two turnovers as the Wolverines defense forced four Warrior miscues. Deklan O’Brien finished with game-high nine tackles and one sack for Ellwood City.

After settling in for their home opener Friday, Ellwood City (3-0 Overall) will next be back on the road Friday night as the Wolverines travel to face Freedom Area in a Class 2A MAC section match-up.