BULLDOGS DOMINATE IN THEIR HOUSE

By Matt Romeo

POLAND OH- On a perfect 70-degree evening at Dave Pavlansky Field in Poland, Ohio, the Poland Seminary Bulldogs (4-2) delivered a dominant performance against the Niles McKinley Red Dragons (1-5). From the first whistle, Poland capitalized on multiple Niles turnovers and overwhelmed their opponent in a game that was all but decided by halftime. The Bulldogs’ relentless ground attack, combined with a smothering defense, resulted in a 42-0 blowout.

First Quarter: Poland Strikes Early and Often

Poland wasted no time asserting their dominance. Just over four minutes into the game, running back Rick Madeline found the end zone on a 15-yard run, putting the Bulldogs up 7-0 after Jas Stefancin’s extra point. Niles, hoping to respond, quickly found themselves in trouble as Poland’s defense forced a turnover in Red Dragons’ territory. The Bulldogs took full advantage, with Angelo Angelilli punching it in from 1 yard out to extend the lead to 14-0 with 2:48 left in the quarter.

Poland wasn’t finished yet. As the first quarter came to a close, Chase Jones capped off another impressive drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Stefancin remained perfect on PATs, and the Bulldogs had built a commanding 21-0 lead in the opening 12 minutes.

Second Quarter: Jones Adds to the Lead

The second quarter was more of the same, as Poland’s offense continued to impose its will on Niles. Chase Jones, who had already contributed to the scoring on the ground, broke loose for a spectacular 37-yard touchdown run early in the quarter, further extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 28-0. With their offense clicking on all cylinders and the defense forcing errors from the Red Dragons, Poland completely controlled the tempo of the game.

Niles struggled to get any momentum going, and another turnover ended a rare promising drive. By halftime, Poland had built a nearly insurmountable lead, leaving the Red Dragons searching for answers.

Third Quarter: Defense Seals the Deal

The second half opened with Poland showing no signs of slowing down. On their first drive of the third quarter, Angelo Angelilli broke free for a 23-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 35-0 after Stefancin’s extra point.

Moments later, the Bulldogs’ defense delivered the knockout blow. With 5:00 left in the quarter, Poland’s Peyton Miller intercepted a Niles pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, making it 42-0. The Pick-6 effectively sealed the fate of the Red Dragons, as Poland’s defense continued to suffocate Niles’ offense.

In a desperate attempt to salvage some pride, Niles returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards to Poland’s 2-yard line after Kicker Jas Stefancin’s touchdown saving, hustle play of a tackle. However, even when it seemed that Niles might finally get on the board, disaster struck. Poland’s defense forced a fumble in the end zone, recovering it for a touchback and ending Niles’ last meaningful opportunity to score.

Fourth Quarter: Running Clock and Valuable Experience

With the game well in hand, the fourth quarter was played under a running clock. Poland and Niles both rotated their younger players, giving them valuable experience while protecting their starters. Despite the shift in personnel, the Bulldogs’ defense continued to dominate, and the Red Dragons were unable to muster any points.

Final Score: Poland 42, Niles McKinley 0

Poland’s complete team effort was highlighted by a punishing ground game, with Rick Madeline, Angelo Angelilli, and Chase Jones all finding the end zone. The Bulldogs’ defense was equally impressive, forcing multiple turnovers and not allowing a single point. Peyton Miller’s Pick-6 was the cherry on top of a dominant defensive performance.

For the Red Dragons, it was a night of frustration, as turnovers and missed opportunities plagued them throughout the game. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to match Poland’s intensity or execution.

The Bulldogs, now 5-2, are hitting their stride at a crucial point in the season, while Niles McKinley falls to 1-6, with plenty of work to do to turn things around. As the final whistle blew, it is clear that Poland is a team on the rise, poised to make a strong push for the postseason.