Chaney's defense delivers in 8-3 verdict over Poland

The Cowboys held the top team in Division III to 75 yards, recovered four fumbles and got a safety.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
POLAND -- A first half comedy of errors produced yet another dramatic game for Chaney High -- and Poland's first significant challenge.
Experience won out.
The Cowboys held Poland to 75 yards and recovered four fumbles to beat the Bulldogs 8-3 Saturday afternoon at Poland High Stadium.
"Our guys really rose to the occasion," Chaney coach Ron Berdis said. "We knew [the Bulldogs] were great defensively, and to beat the No. 1 ranked team in the state [in Division III] was outstanding."
Only TD: Cowboy running back Ed McElroy carried 19 times for 69 yards and scored the game's only touchdown. The Chaney defense shut down Poland's running game, allowing just 28 yards.
"It's all about heart," said Chaney defensive end Kielen Dykes, who had a sack and a fumble recovery. "We practiced really hard all week and we knew it was going to be a hard-fought battle."
Chaney quarterback Juan Serrano set up the Cowboy touchdown with a 28-yard punt return to the Bulldog 37 at the end of the third quarter. McElroy capped a nine-play drive with a 3-yard scamper around the left side to give Chaney the 8-3 lead. Poland's Rob Chance tipped away Serrano's conversion pass attempt.
"This win means a lot," said McElroy, whose Cowboys lost to Boardman on a last second field goal in week three. "If we don't win this, there's no playoffs. We didn't let this game get away."
Serrano completed 8-for-18 passes for 53 yards. The Cowboys ran 49 plays to Poland's 31.
Mistakes: The game wasn't pretty -- especially in the first half. The two teams combined for 14 penalties and four turnovers in the first half, including two fumbled punt returns.
"The sun's going to come up tomorrow and we're going to be OK," said Poland coach Paul Hulea. "We have a great group of seniors and I know they'll lead us back."
Chaney finished with 10 penalties for 95 yards and Poland had 11 for 67.
Poland took an early 3-0 lead after McElroy fumbled in the first quarter, and Bulldog senior Vince Antonucci recovered. A nine-play, 36-yard drive -- keyed by Jim Mitolo's 24 total yards -- led to a 32-yard field goal by Shawn O'Halloran.
Safety: With just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Chaney downed a punt on the Poland 2-yard line to set up the Cowboys' first score. On second down, Chaney senior D.J. Fahndrich tackled Poland running back Lou DaVanzo in the end zone to make it 3-2.
DaVanzo, who injured his ankle against Niles last week and was questionable for Saturday's game, carried just three times for minus-3 yards, but played the entire game at inside linebacker.
Chaney's front four of senior Fernando DeChellis, and juniors Dykes, Ed Molina and Salih Robinson put pressure on quarterback Sean Clayton and controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the game.
"I think we have the best front four in the area," McElroy said.
Defense: Poland's defense was forced to stay on the field much longer than Chaney's defense. By the end of the game, it appeared the Bulldogs began to wear down.
Mitolo was the Bulldogs' leading rusher with nine carries for 23 yards. Clayton hit 9-of-14 passes for 47 yards and ran six times for 7 yards.
Poland defensive end Brendan Moran injured his right leg in the final minutes and had to be carted off the field after the game.
"He's about the toughest kid I've ever coached," Hulea said of Moran. "I'd have forfeited the game to have him healthy."
scalzo@vindy.com