Ganyard, Niles roll over Poland

The 28-7 contest was the Bulldogs first league loss of the season.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES -- Nate Ganyard rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns as Niles High defeated Poland 28-7 in a Metro Athletic Conference game Friday at Bo Rein stadium.
The Red Dragons (5-4, 2-2 MAC) dealt Poland (5-4, 3-1) its first league loss of the season.
The Red Dragons took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards in 17 plays, chewing up 9 minutes, 15 seconds, to take an early 7-0 that was capped off, when quarterback Walt Krezeczowski scored from 1 yard out.
"The opening drive was a key drive for us," said Niles coach Phil Annarella. "It certainly worked out in our favor.
"We felt that Poland defense was right behind Canfield's in the league and we knew we had to control the ball in order to have a chance and that's what we did.
"Poland is almost a mirror image of us and we couldn't afford to go three and out," said Annarella.
Penalties hurt Poland
On Poland's first possession, it mounted a 14-play drive of its own, but missed a 38-yard field goal attempt by Fred Romeo that gave the ball back to Niles.
On the ensuing drive Ganyard scored the first of his two touchdowns, capping a seven-play, 80-yard drive with 2:55 remaining before the intermission to give the Red Dragons a 14-0 lead.
"Penalties in the first half stymied our drives," said Poland coach Mark Brungard. "When we need to make plays tonight, we didn't."
Neither team could get anything going in the third period until Niles' Anthony Mullen intercepted Chris Lovell's pass at the Niles 16-yard line.
Ganyard then scored his second TD, this time on a 79-yard run, with just 55 seconds remaining in the quarter to give the Red Dragons a 21-0 advantage.
"We got on a roll early and built some momentum and that helped," said Annarella.
"Let me stress that our kids played a great game on both ends of the football and our special teams played just as well. Credit our coaching staff for an excellent game plan as well. Our kids executed that plan."
Ganyard puts it out of reach
Poland's Brandon Beachum then got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard when he tallied on a 6-yard run at the 9:01 mark of the final period.
Ganyard then put the game out of reach with his third TD, this time scoring on a 44-yard scamper.
Niles had 332 yards rushing on 42 carries and 337 yards of total offense.
The Bulldogs gained 105 yards on the ground on 27 attempts and 232 yards overall.
Coach Brungard said, "I'm a young coach and don't really know how to answer why we weren't more prepared.
"Out players will look deep into themselves now and be prepared as we get ready next week for Canfield.
"Canfield is our arch rival and we won't need to long to get into the right mind set for the game."