By Ryan Jones

The Tigers’ defense allowed a meager 101 yards and all but neutralized Poland’s diverse rushing attack.

POLAND — After starting the season 1-3, the Howland Tigers found themselves mired in inconsistent play and faced scrutiny from pundits who projected they would contend for a league title and make a playoff run.

Two victories over Chaney and Beaver Local evened the Tigers record, but Friday’s 10-7 victory over Poland, Division III’s top-ranked team, gave visiting Howland (4-3, 2-1) its signature win of the season.

It also put the Tigers back into the All-American Conference Red Tier chase.

Coach Dick Angle said having a 1-3 record helped his team make this turnaround.

“The kids didn’t buckle,” he said. “They could have listened to what everyone was saying, but they didn’t. They did a great job of staying focused. We have a saying that good things happen to people who work hard — and that’s what they’ve done.”

The Tigers’ defense allowed a meager 101 total yards and all but neutralized Poland’s diverse rushing attack. The Bulldogs, who averaged 212 yards per game, rushed 25 times for 38 yards.

“We controlled the game with our defense,” Angle said. “Tyler Scott [Howland’s inside linebacker and tight end] is the best two-way player in the area. He was all over the field tonight making plays.

“Trevor Russell and Rob Lupton got good penetration and pressured the quarterback. Our secondary, which features four new starters this year, played a great game.”

Howland took the opening kickoff and marched 64 yards in 11 plays. Dante Marsh, who led all runners with 89 yards and 19 carries, scored on a 4-yard touchdown plunge to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

“That first drive helped us take control of the game,” he said. “We really came off the ball. It helped tonight that we were healthier. We had three players go at about 90 percent and still two others we held out. Our fullback Soloman Jackson [52 yards rushing] was finally healthy and that helped our running game.”

The Bulldogs tied the game at 7 by taking the second half kickoff and driving 63 yards in 12 plays. Greg Sabol took a pitch and sneaked past the pylon on a 3-yard touchdown run.

Howland answered with a 50-yard drive that resulted in a 29-yard field goal by Eric Albani with 10:29 left in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 10-7.

The Bulldogs had three more chances to move the ball, but Howland’s defense forced a three-and-out, came up with and interception and turned Poland over on downs to end the game.

“We failed to execute on offense,” said Poland coach Mark Brungard. “Our defense gave us a short field in the first half and gave us opportunities in the fourth quarter but we couldn’t move it.

“Howland came out and played like their back was against the wall. They played with a sense of urgency. Tyler Scott was the difference for them on defense.”

In the first half, Poland had chances to score, but failed to execute.

Poland drove 43 yards to Howland’s 23-yard line on its first possession, but an incomplete pass on fourth down gave the ball back to the Tigers.

The Bulldogs stripped Jackson of the ball and recovered at their own 30-yard line. However, on fourth-and-2, Gannon Hulea was sacked by Lupton and Kyle Stan.

Angle said his team can’t afford to think ahead and worry about making the playoffs.

“We need to be 1-0 one week at a time,” he said. “We have a lot of work left to do, but a win over a great Poland team will make the work we have left easier.”