Local Sports

PHOTOS: Wolverines Defeated By South Park In WPIAL Semifinals

The unbeaten Wolverines season came to an end Friday night as Ellwood City was defeated by South Park 28-7 in the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals at North Allegheny High School. After gaining and early advantage the Wolverines were torched by chunk plays by the #2 seeded Eagles rushing attack who posted a resounding 376 yards rushing in its victory. Ellwood City recovered the opening kickoff on the South Park 21 yard line after the Eagles mishandled the ball and just two plays later took a 7-0 lead when Chris Smiley connected with Dailonn Currie for an 18-yard touchdown. The Wolverines…


Lucarelli Signs With Duke University

Riverside Panther standout pitcher Christian Lucarelli officially signed his commitment to pitch at Duke University on Wednesday afternoon. The 6′ 3″ 215-pound senior is ranked the #3 player in the Pennsylvania 2025 class (111 nationally). The right-hander started and led the Panthers to a WPIAL Championship and PIAA Class 3A title in 2023. Lucarelli struck out seven batters across 3 2/3 innings in May but the Panthers could not repeat as WPIAL Champions, falling to Avonworth in an epic 14-inning championship game. The Panthers then fell to Punxsutawney in the first round of the 2024 PIAA Playoffs. Duke University baseball…


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…


Panthers Open Up WPIAL Playoffs Against OLSH On Friday

The Riverside Panthers will square up and face Our Lady of Sacred Heart on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Moon High School in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 2A Playoffs. Riverside finished 4-3 in Class 2A Midwestern Conference, earning a 9-seed in the 13-team playoff picture, surprising many including their coach. “They played far better than I expected this year,” says head coach Rob Magnifico. “They out performed my expectations.” Defense has been key to the Panthers success this season as the unit only allowed 14 points a game this year, a stark contrast and improvement over the 37…


PHOTOS: Wolverines Wrap Up Unbeaten Regular Season With Senior Night Victory Over Beaver Falls

Ellwood City has earned is first unbeaten regular season in 80 years after a convincing 52-0 blowout of Beaver Falls Friday night. The shutout performance was part of the senior night where sixteen Wolverine players were recognized before the game. One the game started, Ellwood City made quick work of the visiting Tigers as quarterback Chris Smiley tossed three first half touchdowns and the Wolverines raced out a 39-0 halftime advantage. Dailonn Currie was on the receiving end of two of the tosses, first an 11-yard strike in the first quarter and later a 59-yard touchdown in the second quarter…


Four Local XC Runners Qualify For PIAA State Championships

Four local cross country runners qualified for PIAA State Championships with their individual performances Thursday in the WPIAL Championships held at White Oak Park in McKeesport. Drew Steffler (9th, 16:20.70), Bradley Custer (13th, 16:34.90), and Lucas Bleakney (23rd, 16:50.60) helped pace the Ellwood City Wolverines team that finish 7th overall. All three runners will advance to Hershey, PA for the PIAA Championships to be held Friday, November 1st. Riverside Panther runner Devin Montileone (22nd, 16:49) also qualified for the PIAA Championships. Rounding out the runners contributing for Ellwood City with Top-100 finishes include Dante Venezie (93rd) and Nicklas Young (98th)….


Wolverines Volleyball Team Opens Playoff Push On Wednesday

The Ellwood City girls volleyball is set to host its opening round WPIAL Class 2A playoff game on Wednesday The Lady Wolverines earned a #8 seed and will host #9 seeded Charleroi on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln High School gymnasium. Tickets may be purchased on GOFAN.com cost of tickets – Student tickets are $5.00, Adult tickets are $7.00 and all tickets sold at the door are $7.00. [YOUTUBE.COM GAME LINK] The senior-laden Wolverines feature six seniors Delaney Sturgeon, Elsie Sturgeon, Emma Figurel, Chloe Bungar, Jhenavesza Miller and Caitlin Kreitzer and will look to make a mark on…


Ellwood City, Riverside Each Cruise To Victories

A week after a low scoring slugfest between section rivals, Ellwood City and Riverside each found some offensive firepower in collecting big section wins Friday night. The ground attack was on display as Elijah Palmer McCane rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns as Ellwood City wiped out Union 33-6 and, not to be outdone, Robbie Janis rushed for 228 yards and three touchdowns as Riverside shutout Beaver Falls 31-0. For the Wolverines, the victory clinched at least a share of section title – a first since 1997 – and continues their bid for an undefeated regular season. Palmer-McCane’s rushing…


Wolverines Volleyball Wraps Up Regular Season With Victory Over Shenango

The Ellwood City girls volleyball team wrapped up its regular season with a 3-2 victory over Shenango on Thursday evening as part of its senior night. After falling behind 2-1, the playoff-bound Lady Wolverines dispatched the Wildcats with victories in the final two sets to secure the section victory. The victory improved the Lady Wolverines record to 13-4 for the 2024 regular season. The team finished 9-3 in the WPIAL Class 2A Section 4, good for second place behind Neshannock. The Lancers defeated Ellwood City twice during the regular season. Riverside issued the Wolverines their additional section loss earlier this…


PHOTOS: Ellwood City Outlasts Riverside 13-9

Ellwood City survived an upset bid from cross creek rival Riverside Friday night in the annual installment of the RivEll Cup. The Wolverines picked up a hard fought 13-9 victory on the road, improving to 7-0 for the first time in 80 years. The game feature some quick scoring action early, but grinded out as both teams fought hard for offensive yards as the teams combined for only 382 yard of total offense. Neither team collected 100 yards passing. Ellwood City struck first with a touchdown after the first of three Panthers turnovers set the Wolverines up with a short…