Poland shuts out Howland

The Bulldogs defense blanked the Tigers and scored a touchdown in a 14-0 win.
By JIM FLICK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HOWLAND -- The Poland High football team's defense stymied a potent Howland offense Friday, scoring one of the game's two touchdowns, as the Bulldogs won 14-0 victory.
Leading the Poland offense was sophomore running back Brandon Beachum, who gained 93 yards on 25 carries and scored the Bulldogs' other touchdown.
Key offensive sparks were supplied by junior running back Carl DaVanzo, who gained 69 yards on 13 carries.
Another important piece of Poland's attack was the return yardage of kick returner Charlie Carchedi.
Smith leads Tigers
The biggest offensive numbers were put up by Howland senior tailback Lance Smith, who gained 132 yards on 22 carries to boost his season totals to 902 yards on 109 carries.
Smith went into the game as the area's leading rusher and is already committed to attending the University of Wisconsin next fall.
However, while he racked up impressive numbers Friday, he was frustrated at key moments by the tenacious Poland defense.
Costly fumble
Smith also fumbled once, a fumble that Poland safety Jim Petrolla scooped up and returned for a touchdown.
After the game, Poland coach Mark Brungard admitted that his defense found it impossible to completely shut down Smith, but praised his players for keeping the talented Tiger running back out of the end zone.
Smith "is probably the best back we'll see all year," Brungard said, and smiled as he breathed a sigh of relief.
Poland (2-3, 1-0 Metro Athletic Conference) nearly did shut down another key to the Howland (3-2, 0-1) offense, quarterback Ben Leece.
The senior entered the game as the area's second-rated area quarterback, but against Poland completed only four of 17 passes for 21 yards.
Howland's field was not a friendly place for quarterbacks Friday. Poland quarterback Chris Lovell completed just two of seven passes for 46 yards.
Neither was Howland's field a friendly haven for Poland placekicker Fred Romeo.
The senior attempted three field goals, but two were blocked by Howland's Aaron Womack and the third fell wide of the goal.
Defenses dominated
With several of the area's offensive statistical leaders ready to take the field, before the opening kickoff the game seemed to promise offensive fireworks.
However, neither team could even earn a first down in their first offensive possession, and the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
Poland scored the game's only offensive touchdown in the second quarter, when Beachum weaved and dodged through a host of Howland defenders on a 14-yard run into the end zone.
Beachum's run capped a four-play, 31-yard drive.
The Poland defense scored the game's only other touchdown in third quarter. Smith fumbled when smashed by the Bulldog defense, and Petrolla recovered the fumble and dashed 28 yards into the Howland end zone.
"They never let us get into rhythm," Howland coach Dick Angle said. "They came ready to play."
Angle praised Smith's efforts, but said the rest of the team's offense was lacking. "We can't just rely on Lance Smith to score touchdowns for us."