LET IT REIGN; POLAND STANDS TALL AS REGIONAL CHAMPS
AUSTINTOWN, OH – The Poland Bulldogs faced The Perry Pirates who have posted an average of 34 points a game this year. This game would go drastically different for the Pirates thanks to the Bulldog defense. The Pirates would only score 13 points tonight and it would not be enough to beat the Bulldogs. Running Back Josh Alessi would rush for over 180 yards in the game with a critical touchdown. Poland wins 17-14 to move on in the Ohio High School Football Playoffs.
Perry would strike first with a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Running Back Deandre Malone to make the game 7-0 Pirates early in the first quarter. The Bulldogs would answer thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by Quarterback Jack Fulton to tie this game at 7 at the beginning of the second quarter. Poland would take their first lead of the game after a 5-yard touchdown run by Alessi and an impressive extra point by Kicker Mikey Kushner made the game 14-7 in favor of the Bulldogs. Towards the end of the second quarter, the Bulldog defense would make a huge play on their own one-yard line after they recovered a fumble to stop the Pirates from tying this game.
Third-quarter was all bulldogs draining the clock on offense and not allowing the pirates to score. Kushner would seal the victory in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs with a 37 yard Field Goal to make the score 17-7. The pirates would score one more touchdown last time with 5 seconds to go in the game when Quarterback Drew Schiano threw to Malone in the endzone but it would not be enough to beat Poland. Poland beats Perry 17-13 to advance to the State Semi-Finals for the first time since 1999. Poland(11-2) will play Newark Licking Valley(13-0) on Thanksgiving weekend at Paul Brown Stadium in Massillon, Ohio.
*Story contributed by YSN’s Anthony Melone
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