TURTLE CREEK, Pa. — Erie McDowell came into the East Hills of Pittsburgh with one thing on their mind and that was establishing the ground game and running rampant all over its opponent.
That’s exactly what Erie McDowell did against Woodland Hills in order to come out on top, 34-28, against the Wolverines in the Day 1 nightcap of the inaugural KDKA Kickoff Classic at the Wolvarena.
Erie McDowell set up a downhill run game behind Stephon Porter as he could not be stopped. The senior accounted for 236 of the 277 total rushing yards. He broke into the end zone on the ground twice and once with a receiving score.
The Trojans’ success on the ground countered a dynamic Woodland Hills’ offense that saw its star player, Scoop Smith, score on an 80-yard receiving touchdown and 99-yard kick return.
Traveling nearly two hours and waiting for the prolonged game beforehand to end, Erie McDowell showed no sign of rust as the Trojans relied on senior running back Stephon Porter to motor the ball downfield on the ground and in the receiving game. The initial drive was completed with a 13-yard touchdown reception out of the backfield from Porter.
While Erie McDowell basked in its game-opening score, it didn’t take long for the Trojans to find out about the Wolverines’ speedy wide receiver Scoop Smith. On the first offensive play for Woodland Hills, quarterback Cam Walter hit Smith with their go-to bubble screen play as Smith hauled it in and escaped for 80 yards down the sideline. In a blink of an eye, it was all knotted up, 7-7.
It didn’t take long for Erie McDowell to find out about Woodland Hills speedster Scoop Smith.
He leaves the Trojans defense in the dust for 80 yards, scoring on the Wolverines’ first play from scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/kVsGDsDM98
Woodland Hills — a team that is looking to return to the playoffs in Class 5A — will depend on its potent offense in quick-strike fashion and that’s what the Wolverines did in the first half against the Trojans.
It took all of three minutes for the Wolverines to charge down the field on their second possession as junior running back Ziggy Moore found the end zone for a five-yard touchdown. That drive also saw Walter become the Woodland Hills all-time passing leader with 2,830 yards.
In the first half, Erie McDowell could not convert its red-zone offense and settled for a pair of field goals, which allowed the Wolverines to climb ahead even more.
With Walter moving in and out of the pocket effortlessly, he connected with Amere Brown for a 19-yard gain. Moving deep into Trojan territory, Moore got the call again as he fought his way through a crowded line and bounced to the right for an 18-yard touchdown. Woodland Hills would take that 21-13 score into halftime.
Ziggy Moore TD:
His second of the night with this one from 18 yards out.
As Woodland Hills went through the air, Erie McDowell ramped up its run game with Porter leading the charge. The senior back would not be denied on a 29-yard run that saw a blend of excellent vision and elusiveness as the Trojans pulled within one, 21-20.
With the pendulum swinging, the Woodland Hills offense stalled out and on fourth down, the Wolverines wanted to execute with some trickery. Prince Tarrant pulled in the snap and tried to run for a first down, but was dropped short.
The Trojans wasted no time capitalizing on the failed attempt and once again fed Porter, who set up his own score with a big gain to the Wolverines’ three. Seconds later, he punched it in for his third touchdown of the night and second on the ground.
As if the Trojans did not learn in the first quarter, Smith yet again showed off his electrifying playmaking with a 99-yard kick return that ignited the faithful in Turtle Creek. The Wolverines jumped ahead 28-27.
Once Erie McDowell found a way to limit Smith and the Wolverines’ offense, it was able to close out the contest. The Trojans leaped back in front with junior Brody Bonsell reaching the end zone on an 18-yard dash and that was all the Trojans needed the rest of the way.
Woodland Hills will return to the Wolvarena next week to take on another stiff test in Penn Hills on Friday.
