BULLDOGS BREAK OFF THE CHAINS IN SEASON OPENER
By Jerrod Niederhiser
POLAND OH- Salem was looking to start off the new season in a good way, but after a promising first drive of the season, it was all Poland, en route to a 38-6 victory in week one. The Quakers entered the 2023 campaign with a lot of new faces in key spots, after the graduation of record-setting signal caller Jackson Johnson, as well as weapons and key contributors on both sides of the ball, and the newcomers experienced some to be expected growing pains at the hands of the Bulldogs.
After a scoreless 11 minutes and 59 seconds in the 1st quarter, Dom Pagano got the Bulldogs on the board and got into the endzone from one yard out to make it 7-0 (XP by Stefancin was good) Poland. Pagano would add another TD run, this time of 11 yards, in the 2nd to make it 14-0. After a 24 yd FG by Stefancin, Danny Nittoli would punch in a 4 yard run to end the half at 24-0 in favor of Poland.
Any hopes of Salem getting back into the game were quickly dashed on the opening kickoff of the 2nd half when Cole Fulton returned the kick 88 yards to the house to give Poland a 31-0, and initiate the running clock. He (Fulton) would add another TD run to finish off the scoring for Poland on the night, making it 38-0 after three.
Salem’s lone score would come at the 8:32 mark of the 4th, with Cletis Monroy punching it in from 1 yard out (XP blocked) making it a 38-6 game, which is where it would end up.
On the night, Poland’s rushing attack was led by Cole Fulton (9-106), Pagano (6-27) and Nittoli (8-30). For Salem, Monroy had 29 yards on the ground and another 48 through the air (1 INT), while Marcus Phillps had 14 carries for 50 yards.
Salem returns to action next week at home vs. Beaver Local, while Poland travels to Howland.
GAME PHOTOS HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/8-18-fb-salem-poland/8-18-fb-salem-poland/
