Poland stops Salem, driven by 2002 loss

Shawn O'Halloran kicked a 22-yard field goal as time expired.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SALEM -- Poland led only one time Friday night against Salem, but it was when it counted the most.
The Bulldogs, playing their fourth straight game on the road, rallied from a pair of 14-point deficits to knock off the Quakers 31-28 on a 22-yard field goal by Shawn O'Halloran as time expired.
The victory avenges Salem's 34-30 come-from-behind victory over Poland last season.
"The seniors really wanted this game because of last year," explained O'Halloran after kicking the game-winner. "On that last drive I just cleared my head and didn't think about anything. We practice these situations in practice and we came through when it counted tonight."
Defense sets up final drive
The winning kick was set up on a nice drive by the Poland offense after the Bulldogs' defense came up big, stopping Salem on fourth-and-2 at the Poland 27 with 3:55 left in a tie game.
"Stopping Salem, that was huge," said Poland coach Paul Hulea, whose squad improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Metro Athletic Conference. "It gave us the ball back with time winding down. We just didn't want to make any mistakes on offense and drive it down for a score at the end."
That's exactly what the Bulldogs did. Sticking to the running game, Poland pounded the Quaker defense up the middle.
Dave Koval, who scored three touchdowns, got Poland inside the Salem 10 with time winding down. That's when O'Halloran, with the wind at his back, split the uprights to sink Salem and keep Poland in the mix for a trip to the playoffs.
"I'm really proud of our kids," said Hulea. "We were down all the way, but there was no quit in these kids. It was just a great football game. We only led once and that was with no time left. What better time to take your first lead."
For Salem, it was another heartbreaking loss. For the third time this season, the Quakers lost a game on the final play. The setback drops Salem to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the MAC.
"Close isn't good enough and these kids know that," said Salem coach Doug Phillips. "It was a great game and the last team with the ball was going to win it. Unfortunately that wasn't us."
Heath shines in loss
The loss overshadowed a great performance from Salem quarterback Landon Heath. The senior completed 9-of-17 passes for 214 yards and two TDs. He also ran for a score.
Salem owned the first quarter, scoring on its first two possessions, both on long passes from Landon Heath to Zac Grey. The second, a 49-yarder, gave the Quakers a 14-0 lead heading into the second stanza.
The Bulldogs cut the deficit in half on the first play of the second quarter, as Koval sprinted 64 yards for the score. Koval finished the game with 138 yards on the ground, 49 yards receiving and three TDs.
After a Salem interception by Jarin Heath, the Quakers' offense increased the lead back to 14, as Landon Heath rounded the corner and found the end zone from 5 yards out.
Poland again answered, this time with a 1-yard scamper by quarterback Reid Lamport. The point-after kick made the score 21-14 Salem at intermission.
The second half was back and forth, with each team scoring once in the third quarter.
Salem used a successful fake punt to take a 28-21 lead on a 10-yard pass from Landon Heath to Jarin Heath.
Poland ties up contest
Poland tied the game at 28-all with 8:46 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard pass from Lamport to Koval.
Lamport finished the contest with 145 yards passing and two touchdowns, converting 12-of-19 attempts. He also ran for a score.
"We needed this win if we wanted any chance of making the playoffs," explained Hulea. "We have three tough games left and we'll go at them one by one. We'll start getting ready for [Kettering] Alter on the ride home."