POLAND PREVAILS IN DRAMATIC FASHION OVER MARLINGTON

POLAND, OH – Coming into tonight’s match-up, the Poland Bulldog’s were rumored to be changing their offensive scheme to better suit their player personnel. Passing would be their dominant play style and Shotgun would be a popular formation but that all changed when the Bulldogs reached the second half. Old School Stack-I and running the ball helped secure victory for the Bulldogs.

Marlington got on the board first with a field in the closing second to bring the game to 3-0 at halftime. Second half the Bulldogs completely changed to a Stack I formations which lead to Running Back Jake Rutana scoring a one-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs the 7-3 lead early in the third quarter. They would increase their lead after Rutana made a big play on the defense forcing a sack-fumble where Poland was able to recover the fumble and Mikey Kushner was able to punch in a field goal for the Bulldogs. Following possession for the Bulldogs, Quarterback Brody Todd scored a one-yard touchdown run to extend the Bulldogs lead to 17-3. the Dukes would answer after Quarterback CJ Greiner found Wide Receiver Ryan Cooley for an 11-yard touchdown pass to make them 17-10.

4th quarter action would start with Rutana scoring his second touchdown of the night after a 6-yard run. Dukes would make it interesting with 4:55 left in the game after Greiner would find Wide Receiver Andrew Carr for a 42-yard touchdown catch. The Dukes would retain possession after an onside kick was successfully recovered. That led to another Duke touchdown after Running Back Anthony Sabatino scored a 14-yard rushing touchdown. Marlington decided to go for a 2 which was unsuccessful after the Bulldogs made the interception to secure victory in week one of the season. The Bulldogs beat the Dukes 24-23. The Poland Bulldogs will face the Boardman Spartans on September 6th.