Poland spoiled Brian Hoffman’s Hubbard coaching debut.

By DOUG CHAPIN

Vindicator Correspondent

HUBBARD — Big plays on defense and a relentless ground attack helped the Poland High football team open the 2007 high school football season with a 24-13 victory over Hubbard.

The victory avenged two straight defeats to the Eagles.

The Bulldogs forced three turnovers and ground out 216 yards on 41 running plays on a night when the heat and humidity were factors.

“We thought our conditioning and the fact we had a lot of bodies just going one way would benefit us,” Poland coach Mark Brungard said. “We found a scheme we liked up front and thought we could take it to them.”

The ground game was especially effective on a fourth-quarter drive following a Hubbard touchdown which cut Poland’s lead to 14-13.

The Bulldogs ate up 54 yards on just five running plays before the drive stalled. But Ryan Gill’s 27-yard field goal extended Poland’s lead to 17-13 with 7:09 remaining in the game.

On Hubbard’s ensuing drive, quarterback Marc Kanetsky (9-for-17, 123 yards) hooked up with receiver Mike Carnahan (6 catches, 88 yards) on a 36-yard gain and a 9-yard pickup to set up the Eagles with a first down at the Poland 36 with just under four minutes to play.

But Mike Anderson forced a fumble and Brock Rubesa returned it to the Hubbard 10. That set up the clinching touchdown, a 3-yard run by Greg Sabol with 1:43 left to play.

Losing debut

The loss ruined the debut of Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman.

“Our kids battled and I’m proud of them and pleased with the way they played, especially on defense,” he said. “Poland made some big plays at the end. We have to learn from our mistakes and get better.”

Hubbard took an early lead when Kanetsky connected with Robert Wigfall on a 13-yard scoring strike with 2:51 left in the first quarter. The play ended an 11-play drive on which a pass interference call against Poland wiped out an interception.

Poland then drove to the Hubbard 13 but lost the ball on downs. However, Jacob Hochendoner, who had two sacks, forced a fumble on the Eagles’ first play and Tanner Schultiers recovered for Poland. Ross Lopez scored from a yard out on fourth-and-goal.

Poland scored on its first possession of the third quarter after a pass interference call went against Hubbard on fourth down inside the Hubbard 20. Tyler Vallinger scored from 11 yards out on the next play.

A 49-yard scamper by Andre Taylor set up Hubbard at the 3 as the third quarter came to a close and he scored from two yards out on the first play of the fourth stanza. However, Schultiers blocked the Eagles’ extra point attempt, leaving Poland ahead by one.

Sabol led Poland on the ground with 76 yards on nine carries, Tyler Vallinger was nine for 48, Trent Vallinger 10 for 40 and Lopez seven for 30.