PHOTOS: Wolverines Survive South Allegheny, Advance To WPIAL Semifinals

Elijah Palmer-McCane tallied 150 yards of total offense and accounted for both Ellwood City scores Friday night as the Wolverines survived a scare from #6 South Allegheny and escaped with a 13-12 quarterfinals victory in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.

Ellwood City advances to the WPIAL semifinals for the first time since 1987.

In the low scoring affair Friday, the Wolverines had to overcome a 95-yard touchdown catch and run by the Gladiators standout receiver Drew Cook early in the second quarter.

The splash play silenced the raucous home crowd eager to see Ellwood City’s first home playoff game in over two decades and was the lone score in the first half as the visiting Gladiators led 6-0 at halftime.

Ellwood City received the second half kickoff and was able to march down the field – 8 plays and 71 yards – and get on the board to take a 7-6 lead with a 4-yard touchdown run by Elijah Palmer-McCane

Palmer-McCane battled for most of his rushing yards, finishing the game with 93 yards on 23 carries.

South Allegheny (9-3 Overall) retook the lead early in the fourth quarter as quarterback Ryan Cortes found Camden Lewis who corralled a tipped pass for 9-yard touchdown reception but the unbeaten Wolverines quickly responded.

Chris Smiley found Palmer-McCane on a pivotal 34-yard touchdown screen pass play midway through the final quarter to stake Ellwood City to its 13-12 lead and ultimate game outcome.

Chris Smiley finished 13 of 20 passing for 165 yards. He found five receivers in the contest.

Defensively, Evan Tweddell registered the lone sack for the Wolverines. Dailonn Currie finished with seven tackles and three pass breakups among eight total pass deflections for the Ellwood City defense. Luciano Gagric collected a team-high eight tackles.

The game was marred by penalties with South Allegheny tallying 22 penalties for 141 yards. Ellwood City was limited to 3-of-16 on third down conversions.

With the victory the 2024 Wolverines become the first team in school history to start a season 10-0 and also earns its first playoff victory since 1987.

Ellwood City will next face #2 South Park Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at North Allegheny High School with a trip to Acrisure Stadium on the line. The Wolverines are looking for their first WPIAL title since 1925.