Poland tops Struthers with kick in overtime

Shawn O'Halloran booted a 28-yard field goal as the Bulldogs won 31-28.
By DAVE DEVEREUX
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
POLAND -- The weather was calm at Poland High Stadium Friday.
However, for the players that took the field for the Struthers Wildcats and Poland Bulldogs, the level of uncertainty that hung in the air was as thick as a thundercloud.
"We knew we still had a shot at the playoffs," Poland senior Dave Koval, who caught five passes for 44 yards, said. "And it was the same for them. Both teams knew they had to leave everything out on the field."
After 48 minutes of hard-hitting, inspired football from both sides, the level of uncertainty hadn't changed a bit.
But with the score knotted 28-28 in the first overtime, Poland placekicker Shawn O'Halloran drilled a 28-yard field goal to lift Poland past Struthers 31-28, in their Metro Athletic Conference season finale.
Second game-winner
O'Halloran, who earlier this season, kicked a game-winning field goal to defeat Salem, said he's become used to the late-game pressure kicks.
"We practiced this before and I kicked a game-winner like this before," O'Halloran said. "So it's all repetitive."
Poland (7-3, 6-1), which came in ranked No. 9 in the Division III, Region 11 playoff rankings, needed to beat Struthers and get some help in order to reach the postseason.
The Bulldogs rallied from a 14-0 first quarter deficit, thanks in large part to their ability to move the ball on the ground. Junior tailback Jim Shurilla rushed for 173 yards on 30 carries, scoring on runs of 18 and 13 yards.
"How about this group," Poland coach Paul Hulea said. "We were down 14 early, but we came right back and tied it 14-14 in the second quarter. That's how this group has been all season."
Game-tying touchdown
It appeared that way until Struthers tied the game 28-28 with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Taking over at the Poland 42 with 3 minutes 29 seconds left, the Wildcats marched 58 yards in 9 plays.
On fourth and goal, quarterback Tim Zetts fired to Matt Thurik, who leaped and caught the ball, while managing to keep his feet inbounds near the sideline. Steve Rankin's extra point deadlocked the score at the end of regulation.
Struthers got the ball first in overtime but after failing to reach a first down, Rankin missed from 30 yards. Poland then capitalized on its first possession. Shurilla got the ball twice and picked up 7 yards.
On third down, fullback Chris Aracich failed to reach the first down marker but managed to move the ball to the middle of the field for O'Halloran.
"It's tough when your kids play as hard as they did," Struthers coach Gary Zetts said. "We had our opportunities and we hurt ourselves a few times but that's a great football tradition [Poland] has and they deserved to win."
Struthers got on the board first on a 5-yard touchdown run by Brian Walton.
On their next possession, the Wildcats stretched the lead to 14-0 when connected with Allen for a 5-yard score.
Early score
Poland got on the board midway through the second quarter on an 18-yard touchdown run by Shurilla. Reid Lamport added a 6-yard bootleg touchdown minutes later.
The final score of the half came courtesy of a 24-yard touchdown reception by Thurik.
Poland score twice in the second half to take a 28-21 lead. Lamport connected on a 9-yard score, followed by Shurilla's second touchdown run at the 9:35 mark of the fourth.
For Struthers (5-5, 3-3), Zetts completed 15 of 21 passing for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Thurik caught five passes for 48 yards, while Allen grabbed six balls for 100 yards receiving.