Poland broke open a close game in the third quarter, beating Niles 26-7.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

NILES — Locked in a defensive struggle Friday, Poland and Niles were looking for a break.

At stake were precious ratings points for the Division III postseason plus staying alive in a tight Metro Athletic Conference race.

The Bulldogs manufactured the game-turning edge early in the third quarter when running back Trent Vallinger found a seam in the Red Dragons’ defense.

Vallinger burst through the line and raced 63 yards for the touchdown that put Poland ahead. The Bulldogs added two more touchdowns en route to a 26-7 victory at Bo Rein Stadium.

“It’s a huge boost for our team — it feels great,” said Vallinger, who finished with 88 yards on 12 carries. “Our confidence is higher than it’s ever been.”

Poland coach Mark Brungard said, “We saw they were angling their defense to our motion, so we motioned and then ran back. And there was a huge crease because of that.”

Vallinger credited his linemen for a huge hole.

“I saw a cutback lane and I took it,” Vallinger said. “I was running as fast as I could.”

Strong defense

The Bulldogs (5-1, 3-0 Metro Athletic Conference) contained Niles tailback Nate Ganyard to 86 yards on 23 carries.

“ Our defense gave us time to figure it out offensively,” Brungard said. “And that’s what a team does — when one side is struggling a little bit, the other side plays even better.

“And it seemed to happen that way. We got some turnovers. That’s a ‘Tressel-ism’ — you win the turnover margin, chances are you’re going to win the game.”

Following Vallinger’s long touchdown, the Red Dragons (4-2, 1-2) blocked Ryan Gill’s point-after kick.

Momentum appeared to be shifting to Niles after Nick Liste’s 61-yard punt had the Bulldogs on their own 3. On third down, quarterback Gannon Hulea executed a quick-kick punt, giving the Red Dragons the ball on the Poland 44.

On the next play, Niles quarterback Vince Melillo’s arm was hit as he tried to pass. The ball popped free and was a ruled a fumble that was recovered by Poland’s Tanner Schulteis.

After neither team could move the ball on their next possession, Bulldogs punt returner Luke Wollet took Liste’s next kick and ran 52 yards to the Niles 32.

That set up Brungard’s next gamble. Facing fourth and two from the Niles 3, Brungard kept Gill on the sidelines. Greg Sabol rushed for the score and a 19-7 lead.

“Sabol made a great cut — we didn’t exactly clear a path,” said Brungard, who said he considered going for the field goal. “But our offensive line has earned our trust.”

Not enough

Niles coach Tim Johnson said he wished the Dragons “had played like this defensively last week.

“And maybe a little the way we played offensively against Canfield,” Johnson said. “Our kids gave a great effort. It was 7-7, back and forth. Defensively, we were putting it to them pretty good.”

Poland’s first touchdown came after Mark Turnbull intercepted Melillo in Niles territory. Five plays later, Vallinger scored from the 1.

The Red Dragons tied the game midway through the second quarter when Ganyard scored on an 8-yard run.

The win kept the Bulldogs tied with Howland atop the MAC standings. Canfield, which defeated Niles 49-14 last week, is 2-1.

“This one was a must — they are a good team,” Brungard said. I’m very pleased for our kids, coming on the road to a place where it’s hard to win.”

williams@vindy.com