METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Poland maintains hopes for playoffs

The Bulldogs blanked Canfield, 13-0, behind two lengthy marches.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
POLAND -- Two long scoring drives, one in each half, proved the difference Friday as the Poland High football team kept their playoff hopes alive with a 13-0 whitewash of arch-rival Canfield.
"My math people tell me we're still in the hunt," Poland coach Paul Hulea said. "And I always listen to my math people."
Poland (6-3 overall, 4-1 Metro Athletic Conference) came into the game ranked 10th in the Division III Region 11 computer playoff ratings.
Four drives -- two by each team -- told the story as Poland used a "bend but don't break" defense to seal the verdict.
After opening the game on its own 42, Canfield (3-6, 2-4) marched to the Bulldogs 1 for a second and-goal play.
Snyder intercepts
But on third down, Russ Snyder intercepted a Jamie McNally pass to thwart the drive on the Poland 1.
"We did a lot of good things, but we just didn't finish drives," Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky said. "And that really hurt us, especially that first one.
"Against Poland, you have to come ready to play 48 minutes and I thought we gave it a good effort, but we ended up with them catching us on our heels a few times."
Canfield forced a punt and took over at the Poland 39. But the Cards' offense stalled, forcing a punt that pinned Poland on its 1.
The longest drive
Poland launched the longest drive in school history, using a nice mix to cover 99 yards in 10 plays.
Two key passes from quarterback Reid Lamport highlighted the march. One was for 32 yards to Dave Koval and the other was for 17 to Dan McGarry.
Running back Jim Shurilla came up big three times during the drive, with the last of his efforts covering 7 yards for Poland's 7-0 lead with 10:31 remaining in the second quarter.
Poland settled the issue early in the third quarter as the Bulldogs scored the first time they had the ball.
This impressive drive covered 75 yards in 10 plays. Lamport's passing and a key 5-yard Canfield penalty on a third-and-5 play were big factors.
Lamport found McGarry for 13 yards and the pair hooked up on a scoring strike of 10 yards as Poland took a 13-0 lead.
Shurilla sparkles
Shurilla, who gained 118 yards on 23 carries, had a 24-yard rush during the drive.
"That drive to start the second half was huge," Shurilla said. "It totally boosted us and it took the wind out of their sails."
Hulea agreed.
"That was really important," Hulea said. "That put us by two scores and gave us a little breathing room against a good team."