BOARDMAN REBOUNDS, SPARTANS DOWN THE BULLDOGS 27-14

POLAND, OH- Poland Bulldogs and the Boardman Spartans were complete strangers in football. These two neighboring schools have not played each other since 2014 where the Bulldogs had beat the Spartans in consecutive years. That all changed on Friday when Quarterback Zach Ryan and the Spartans established their passing game and caused turnovers to beat the Bulldogs 27-14.

Bulldogs would strike first as Jake Rutana found the end-zone after an 8 yard touchdown rush to make the game 7-0. The Spartans would respond the next drive when Ryan would find Wide Receiver Conner Miller with a 31 yard touchdown pass to tie the game. After an extended play by Ryan, Spartans would extend their lead with another Ryan to Miller touchdown to make the game 14-7. Bulldogs would tie this game in the second quarter when Running Back Josh Alessi scored his first touchdown of the year after a 5 yard touchdown run. A 22 yard field goal was made by Spartan Kicker Tommy Fryda to regain the lead before halftime.

Third-quarter was all Spartans after Ryan rushed 25 yards to the end-zone to add to their lead 24-14. Boardman would seal their victory towards the end of the game after a 34 yard field goal by Fryda made the game 27-14. The Bulldogs(1-1) will play the Howland Tigers on Friday, September 13th in Howland, Ohio.

Game Notes

– the Poland Bulldogs 1999 State Championship team was honored before the game. The 1999 team at the time of their achievement, were the first team in Ohio to go 15-0 in a football season in Ohio.

– Poland Bulldog starting Quarterback Brody Todd was injured in the third quarter after going out of bounds untouched and came up favoring his left side. He did not return in the game.

*Story Contributed by the YSN Voice of the Poland Bulldogs, Anthony Melone