SAINT MARYS - Elk County Catholic's Ricky Pearsall was as advertised.

The junior tailback ripped his way through the Sheffield defense Friday, chewing up 175 total yards and scoring two touchdowns in Elk County Catholic's 27-6 victory over the Sheffield Wolverines at Elk County Catholic High School.

Pearsall wasted little time in showing why he is one of the best rushers that District 9 has to offer. On the Crusaders' first drive of the night, Pearsall broke free from 39 yards out to score a touchdown and give ECC an early 7-0 lead.

Despite not getting much going on offense, the Wolverines held their own defensively and kept the game at a manageable 14-0 at the break. The Crusaders' second score of the night came from another tailback, Kyle Gerber, as the senior rushed in from 13 yards out.

Elk County's onslaught continued into the second half as the team put their passing game into play against a tough Sheffield front. Quarterback Joe Jacob only completed five passes all night, but one of them was caught by split end Robbie Wortman who got into the endzone from five yards out. The missed extra point left the score at 20-0.

Sheffield's offense finally found some daylight on its opening drive of the fourth quarter. The long, sustained drive was capped off by Jimmy Hahn's three-yard run into the endzone with 9:56 remaining.

The Crusaders (2-2) put out any hopes of a Wolverines comeback quickly, however, as Pearsall scored on the team's next drive to make it 27-6 with 7:48 remaining and ultimately put the game out of reach.

Hahn easily led Sheffield's ground attack with 74 yards on 15 carries and the touchdown. The Wolverines' quarterback, Craig Fitch, was pestered by the ECC defense all night and finished 7-of-24 for 75 yards with a pair of interceptions.

Sheffield (1-3) hopes to get things back on the right track next Saturday when they welcome Otto Eldred to Sheffield High School for Homecoming festivities.