FOOTBALL Poland, Ursuline good fit for both

The Bulldogs aren't afraid to play a tough non-league schedule.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Poland and Ursuline needed only a few minutes to decide they wanted to play each other this season.
But they needed a few months to make it happen.
After five straight years of blowout games against Wilson, Poland athletic officials agreed last winter that the series wasn't helping either team.
"We were kind of feeling bad about Wilson's situation," Poland athletic director Myron Stallsmith said. "Those kids were getting hammered every week."
Poland was scheduled to play Wilson this fall in Week Three. Poland coach Paul Hulea looked around and discovered Ursuline had an open date that week.
Question
Would the Irish be interested in playing?
"We told them we'd be very interested," Ursuline athletic director Jim Maughan said.
Easy enough, right?
Problem was, now Wilson needed a game.
City Series commissioner John Tullio stepped in and helped with the search and, eventually, Wilson found a game with Shadyside, a Div. VI team. It was a better fit for the Redmen, who have lost 22 straight.
"We thought it was a good fit for Wilson and we think it's a pretty good rivalry for us," Stallsmith said. "Hulea loves a challenge. He wants to see the kids play as good a schedule as possible."
The Irish and the Bulldogs agreed to a two-year contract with both games at Poland. Ursuline, which didn't want to play a nine-game schedule, was happy to find a game. Poland, which isn't afraid to play a tough non-league schedule, was happy to play a better team.
And, of course, make a little money.
"That's certainly a plus," Stallsmith said with a laugh. "I know there's a lot of people looking forward to it. And we're sure looking forward to it."
First-ever meeting
It will be the first meeting between the teams and a breakthrough of sorts, since many area schools are reluctant to schedule Ursuline or Mooney. That's only gotten worse since Boardman and Fitch left the Steel Valley Conference.
"It gets a little tough when you're always scheduling teams that are out of the area," Maughan said. "A lot of times, those teams don't bring a lot of fans and, unless it's a ranked team, you don't draw a lot of area fans other than the Ursuline faithful."
Ursuline, a Div. IV team, also signed a two-year contract with Boardman before this season, but the Irish still play five out of area teams, including Erie Prep and Columbus Watterson.
It's a rough schedule and it takes its toll.
"We can't go against bigger schools all the time," Maughan said. "You need a breather once in awhile. The difference between a school like Ursuline and some of the larger schools is in the backup players. You don't have the same depth."
What's the solution to Ursuline's scheduling problems?
Answer
Right now, there is none.
Teams like Canton McKinley and Warren Harding have pressed the OHSAA to award computer points to teams that schedule bigger schools, even when they lose. The argument went nowhere.
Some have even wondered whether it's time for the OHSAA to do the scheduling -- "It sure would make this job a lot easier," Maughan said with a laugh -- but that's also unlikely.
But that's another issue. For now, both teams are going to focus on Friday.
"We had a chance to see them against Boardman, and they are an excellent team," Hulea said of the Irish. "They are well-coached and have a great football tradition, so it will definitely be a challenge for us."
Ready to rebound
Ursuline coach Dan Reardon said he doesn't see any problem getting his team ready for Poland after a tough loss to Steubenville.
"I'd be very surprised if they weren't ready to go," Reardon said. "We have a difficult schedule, and that's OK. Poland will be no easy task."
Ursuline (1-1) and Poland (0-2) both need a win. And, so far, Stallsmith has heard nothing but good things from the Poland faithful.
"Of course, that might change if we lose," he said with a laugh. "If that happens, they'll be asking, 'Why'd you schedule them?' "
scalzo@vindy.com