Riverside secures first win of the season on Homecoming over rival Ellwood City

NORTH SEWICKLEY TWP. — Riverside Coach Fran Ramsden said it was tough on both him and his players to lose six straight to start the year.

He said the team, which is rebuilding more and more each week, is competitive and fights hard.

Therefore, Ramsden couldn't be more proud of his team, as the Panthers (1-4, 1-6 overall) secured their first win of the season on Homecoming over the arch-rival Ellwood City Wolverines (0-6, 0-5 conference), 19-0 Friday night. 

"I'm extremely proud of them," Ramsden said. 

Both teams were coming into the game seeking their first win of the season. 

Going into the game, the Panthers had only scored 33 combined points with the Wolverines even lower at just 22 points.

For the first 16 minutes of the game it was a defensive struggle, with both offenses struggling to move the ball.

Near the end of the second quarter, Riverside's Avery Orgovan intercepted an Ellwood pass. The Panthers would take advantage, going 50 yards on seven plays, scoring on a 20-yard touchdown run by quarterback Samuel Hughes to go up 7-0. 

Riverside's Robert Janis later intercepted an Ellwood pass on the first drive of the third quarter, giving the Panthers some life.

However, Ellwood's Brighton Mariacher intercepted a Riverside pass to regain possession, but the turnover resulted in no points as the Wolverines offense stalled on the ensuing drive. 

The Panthers then took advantage, going 75 yards in six plays, scoring on a 45-yard touchdown run by Brody Barton to go up 13-0.

Riverside would score in the fourth quarter on a 19-yard touchdown run by Hughes, and failed the two-point conversation, to go up 19-0. That would be all the scoring the Panthers would need to secure the win.

Neither team found much success passing the ball, with the Panthers recording just 42 yards through the air, with the Wolverines completed one pass on the night for 11 yards.

However, rushing with the difference maker as the Panthers ran for 184 yards, with Hughes leading the way with 16 carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Barton added six carries for 58 yards and one touchdown.

The Panthers also outgained the Wolverines 226 to 74 yards on the night.

The game at Riverside Memorial Stadium was well attended from both fan bases, which Ramsden said is a good thing for the community after so much uncertainty the last two years with the pandemic.

"Every time they get together, it's always a hard fought game," Ramsden said. "It's always physical. I love this brand of football. It's a good show."

Ramsden said he is happy for the seniors and upper classmen on the team for the win, as they are the leaders that have been putting in so much work since the summer. He said he wants the team to continue to improve during the last two games of the season going into next year.

"Tonight, both sides of the ball showed improvement over the previous six weeks," Ramsden said. "I expect that to continue."

Nicholas Vercilla is a staff reporter for the Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He can be reached at nvercilla@gannett.com.