Ellwood City looks to build on first .500 season in more than a decade

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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It was a hard, long road for the Ellwood City football program the past decade and change, but for the first time since 2011, the Wolverines posted a record of .500 or better and made the playoffs last year.

After going 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Midwestern Athletic Conference in Class 2A, the Wolverines fell 48-6 to Washington in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

“We’ve got a great group of kids and a group of coaches,” said third-year head coach Dan Bradley. “The kids are really committed to the program and it’s helped in the process of turning things around.”

Bradley knows his kids will continue to fight, compete and do their best to sustain the upward trajectory the team has been on the last few years.

“I want to just see them get better every week,” said Bradley. “Stay focused on how we can get better, how we can win games. We want to have fewer turnovers, fewer penalties and with the veteran team we’ll have on the field, those things will hopefully take care of themselves.”

Ellwood City returns three huge cogs of an offense that scored 26.3 points a game last year, beginning with senior running back Elijah Palmer-McCane.

“He’s a terrific talent,” said Bradley of Palmer-McCane, who rushed for over 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“I can’t say enough good things about him,” continued Bradley. “He’s a good blocker in both the run and passing game, catches the ball well and runs with great strength and vision.”

Palmer-McCane won’t be asked to carry the load himself as the Wolverines have plenty of talent in the backfield.

Seniors Luciano Gagric and Dayntae Pierce are capable running backs in their own rights and rising sophomore Richard Cureton has top-notch speed.

“The backfield is one example where we’re going to have depth at positions for really the first time in my three years here,” said Bradley.

Paving the way for the running game is an experienced offensive line, headlined by senior guard Evan Tweddell, who was the conference’s lineman of the year last season.

Shane Lutz will start at the other guard position. Logan McClymonds, who had a tremendous offseason, will be at center, and Maddox Singer returns after a knee injury cost him all of last year.

Sophomore Tristan Rennels, who replaced Singer and saw a ton of time as a freshman, will slot in at right tackle.

“Tweddell and Lutz are three-year starters and Singer would be as well if not for his injury,” said Bradley. “They know what to do, know what is expected of them and they operate as one. It should be an exciting year for us.”

Ellwood City’s offense could provide even more fireworks than it did last year if senior quarterback Chris Smiley can repeat his performance from last year and complement Palmer-McCane’s production.

After a tough sophomore year in which Smiley took his lumps, he came into 2023 with a better understanding of the offense, read coverages better and the game slowed down for him.

“He’s a tough kid, took some big shots as a sophomore and junior,” said Bradley. “He’s got a good arm, is a good athlete and has learned the game well. We’re ready for him to take the next step.”

Smiley’s next step could be impressive after throwing for nearly 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns. Smiley accomplished all that without his top target, senior Gavin Partridge, who suffered an injury before the season and missed most of the year.

Now, Partridge is fully healthy and flanked by juniors Dominik Hogue and Dailonn Currie, both of whom saw plenty of playing time last year, as well as senior Josh Gilchrist.

Defensively, the Wolverines are a 3-3 team up front and are focused on being better against the pass this season.

“It’s no secret,” said Bradley. “We have to make plays when the ball’s in the air. It also helps to be better at rushing the passer. We have to be more disciplined and not miss as many tackles. There’s a lot of room for improvement.”

Up front, PJ Dubois will settle in at nose tackle and is flanked by Tweddell and Drake Davis.

Kaden Docchio, who led the team in tackles and tackles for loss, returns at outside linebacker opposite Deklan O’Brien. Luciano Gagric slots in at the middle position.

Currie and Dayntae Pierce will be the starting corners as Hogue, Partridge and Trenton Schilling will be the staring safeties.

With veteran pieces dotting their entire lineup, Ellwood City will hope to score another winning record, but Bradley knows how difficult it will be on the road ahead.

“The conference has been traditionally tough and flush with good coaches,” Bradley said. “You have to be ready every week. But if you make it through the gauntlet, you’ll be ready for the playoffs.”

Ellwood City

Coach: Dan Bradley

2023 record: 5-6, 3-4 in Class 2A Midwestern Conference

All-time record: 437-587-44

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at Laurel, 7

8.30 Shenango, 7

9.6 at Neshannock, 7

9.13 Mohawk*, 7

9.20 at Freedom*, 7

9.27 New Brighton*, 7

10.5 at Western Beaver*, 7

10.11 at Riverside*, 7

10.18 Union*, 7

10.25 Beaver Falls*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Chris Smiley

112-217, 1689 yards, 17 TDs

Rushing: Elijah Palmer-McCane

238-1485, 16 TDs

Receiving: Michael Walters*

35-537, 7 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• This season marks the 99th anniversary of Ellwood City’s only WPIAL football championship. In 1925, the school went undefeated and was declared champion.

• Ellwood City is one of the oldest football schools in southwestern Pennsylvania, first fielding a team in 1907. The school joined the WPIAL in 1921.

• Ellwood City scored 30 points or more in three of its victories last season: a 34-14 win over Freedom, a 62-40 shootout against New Brighton and a 41-0 shutout over Riverside.

• The Wolverines won conference championships in 1986 and ’97.

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