Ellwood rolls past Summit
Ellwood City (35) vs. Summit Academy (0)
Written: Sep 02, 2014
By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News
The Ellwood City Lincoln High football team got the season started on a positive note Saturday.
The visiting Wolverines coupled a strong offensive output with a smothering defense to rout Summit Academy in a Midwestern Athletic Conference matchup, 35-0.
“I thought it was a very typical opening game for both teams,” Ellwood City coach Don Phillips said. “There were jitters and mental mistakes by both teams. We overcame some mistakes; I thought we played hard and gave a great effort.
“This was a big win. It was a conference victory. We have so many young kids and first-year starters; we needed to build that confidence.”
Ellwood City allowed just 163 total yards and forced eight fumbles, recovering two of them. The Knights reached the WPIAL Class AA playoffs last year out of the Allegheny Conference before being realigned into the MAC.
“I was very happy the kids were able to pitch a shutout,” Phillips said. “It’s a big confidence boost for us.
“I was really happy that they were able to play so well and force some turnovers.”
The Wolverines led 7-0 after one quarter and 13-0 at the break. The guests put the game away with 22 third-quarter points.
Nick Ioanilli opened the second-half scoring when he took the kickoff and raced 85 yards for a score. The two-point run failed, leaving Ellwood City with a 19-0 lead.
“I think the kids came out rejuvenated,” Phillips said. “It was a very hot and humid day. They felt they should have more points than 13 at the half.
“We scored right off the bat on the kickoff. Ioanilli wasn’t going to be denied on that kickoff; that set the tone.”
Mario Street and Ioanilli scored two touchdowns apiece for the winners. Ioanilli threw for another when he connected with Street. Paul Lutz opened the scoring with a 57-yard touchdown tote in the first frame.
Lutz paced the Wolverines with 73 yards rushing on seven carries.
The matchup with Summit Academy marked the lone Saturday contest on the docket for the Wolverines this season.
“We spent a lot of time with our conditioning program,” Phillips said. “We worked very hard to be ready for that Saturday afternoon game.
“They knew the conditions would take their toll. It was an extremely hot and extremely humid day. We were preaching to over-hydrate because their bodies will need that fluid. They did a good job of that.”
Ellwood City returns to action at 7 p.m. Friday when it hosts New Brighton (1-0, 1-0) in a conference clash. The Lions opened the campaign with a 27-20 decision over Laurel.
*****
ELLWOOD SUMMIT ACADEMY
8 First downs 7
186 Yards Rushing 145
10 Yards Lost 22
176 Net Rushing 123
5 Passes Attempted 6
1 Passes Completed 1
0 Passes Intercepted 0
35 Yards Passing 40
211 Total Yards 163
1-0 Fumbles-Lost 8-2
2-38 Punts-Average 4-34
4-26 Penalties-Yards 9-57
ELLWOOD CITY 7 6 22 0 — 35
SUMMIT ACADEMY 0 0 0 0 — 0
Scoring plays
ELLWOOD CITY — Paul Lutz, 57-yard run (Lutz kick).
ELLWOOD CITY — Mario Street, 35-yard pass from Nick Ioanilli (kick failed).
ELLWOOD CITY — Ioanilli, 85-yard kickoff return (run failed).
ELLWOOD CITY — Ioanilli, 12-yard run (D.J. Barrett run).
ELLWOOD CITY — Street, 20-yard run (Ioanilli run).
|