The undefeated football team from 1925 was known far and wide as a monster of a squad. The team was coached by H. Martin “Peck” Lee and not a single team during the regular season scored any points against Ellwood. Their only loss came in the postseason against a team from Freeport, Illinois, who had not been beaten for five years and was two-time Illinois champion. The Midwesterners agreed to a post-season game in Pennsylvania in a contest billed as a national championship, where Ellwood battled hard, but ultimately lost 13-7.

Fitzgerald, Applebaum, MacMurdo, and Johnston were named to the All-WPIAL first team. Jim MacMurdo, who played center, went on to star at Pitt and then played three years with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1930’s. 23 Tom MacMurdo, the “Big Train”, scored 120 points that season, still the Ellwood City single season record. He reportedly received a severe head injury in a game against New Castle and was never the same. His college offers included Minnesota, Nebraska and Pitt. A sub on this team was the later famed basketball coach at tiny nearby Wampum, L. Butler Hennon. Hennon coached the Allen brothers, including Phillies great Dick Allen, and led the Indians to three state B championships.

The 1925 Ellwood City starting lineup included: Bill Marsh, Curt Neff, Art Applebaum, Jim MacMurdo, Bill Herge, Bob MacMurdo, Jim Fitzgerald, Ross Parker, Johnny Sanders, Harold Johnston, and Tom MacMurdo.

Championship Season

Evans City, 60- 0
Monaca, 12-0
Beaver, 20-0
Beaver Falls, 20- 0
Woodlawn, 20-0
New Wilmington, 64-0
New Castle, 14-0
Homestead, 31-0
East Palestine, Ohio 72-0

Postseason

Freeport, Illinois 7- 13