Stopping Struthers: Bulldogs get it done with terrific defense

Poland won its fifth straight game to stay in first place in the MAC.

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

POLAND — The Poland Bulldogs have the stingiest defense in the Metro Athletic Conference play, and it didn’t let up Friday night against Struthers.

That defense didn’t disappoint, allowing just one score and 171 total offensive yards in a 45-6 victory over the Wildcats at Poland Stadium.

The win was the fifth in a row for the Bulldogs (6-1, 4-0).

“We pride ourselves in being a balanced team, keeping the opposition guessing,” said Poland coach Mark Brungard. “We take what they give us and other than a couple of penalties in the red zone, which I wasn’t pleased with, we executed when we had our hands on the ball. That really pleased me.”

Trent Vallinger rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns while quarterback Gannon Hulea was perfect on seven passes (for 145 yards, all in the first half) and two touchdowns to pace the Bulldogs.

Vallinger single out his offensive line.

“Both our offensive and defensive lines played well tonight. The defense held Struthers at bay the entire game while the offense opened holes all game for everyone to run through,” he said.

Neither team could get untracked in the opening period until Ryan Gill’s field goal from 22 yards gave Poland a 3-0 lead with 4 minutes, 24 seconds remaining.

Hulea hit Drew Petro from 10 yards on the first play of the second quarter to increase the Bulldogs’ lead to 10-0.

The Wildcats fumbled on their first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, and it took Hulea just one play to make it 17-0 when he hit Jason Simons with a 25-yard scoring strike.

Greg Sabol’s 21-yard touchdown scamper with 5:44 remaining, then a 1-yard plunge by Vallinger with 1:15 to go made it 31-0 at halftime.

“I had excellent protection all night and just clicked with all of our receivers,” said Hulea. “Our passing game is coming along at the right time.”

Poland increased the lead to 38-0 on Vallinger’s 1-yard run at the 9:30 mark of the third period and Andrew Cramp’s 25-yard run early in the fourth quarter made it 45-0.

The Wildcats avoided a shutout when Rob Edwards, who had a team high 101 yards on 12 carries, scored from 29 yards out at the 3:59 mark of the fourth period.

“Our team didn’t quit and that really pleases me. We fought to the end despite some injuries but give Poland credit. They’re a very sound ballclub who will compete for the MAC title this year. They have the whole package,” Wildcats coach Dallas Saunders said.