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Bulldogs’ defense bullies Howland
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Poland wins 17-0 to take control of AAC Red race
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS staff
HOWLAND — Poland senior linebacker Mike Day came out of Friday’s game against Howland wearing a mud- and rain-stained jersey and a little chip on his shoulder.
“We came in being the underdog, undersized and everyone said we were gonna get pushed around,” said Day. “It just goes to show you what can happen when everyone plays together.”
Thanks to two first-half touchdowns and a phenomenal team effort on defense, the Bulldogs took control of the All-American Conference Red Tier and all-but-clinched their third straight playoff berth with a 17-0 win over Howland.
“It just feels awesome,” said Day. “We haven’t beaten them since our freshman year and we came out and played together, which is the reason we won.”
Day — who defensive coordinator Ryan Williams summed up by saying “He’s about 5-9 and gets no press” — was one of several defensive standouts, as the Bulldogs held Howland’s powerful offense to just 154 total yards.
Junior standout Darius Patton had an interception, senior Nick Heltzel forced a fumble and senior Nick Argeras recovered a fumble.
“It’s a special thing to go to Howland a go home with a zero,” said Poland coach Mark Brungard. “We’re so familiar with each other. It’s a rivalry. Their coaching staff has stayed the same, our coaching staff has stayed the same. Really, each team knows what the other is going to do.
“It’s about execution and focus and we were able to capitalize on a couple mistakes.”
After forcing a Howland three-and-out to open the game and getting a terrific punt return from senior Luke Wollet, Poland struck first on its opening possession, which started at the Tigers’ 31.
Wollet turned two broken plays — the first a run for his life, the second coming after a fumbled exchange from center — into 30 yards to give the Bulldogs a first-and-goal. On third down, QB Colin Reardon plunged in for the TD.
“Luke made a couple great carries,” said Brungard. “I’m not sure what we were doing with our blocking up front, but Luke just made some things happen.”
Added Howland coach Dick Angle, “I think they fumbled three times and all of them bounced right back in their hands. I guess the football gods were with them.”
Early in the second quarter, the Bulldogs struck again on a 10-yard reverse by Patton to make it 14-0. The Bulldogs then recovered a fumble on the ensuing squibbed kickoff and drove to Howland’s 9, where senior Kyle Filicky scored the game’s final points on a 26-yard field goal.
Howland threatened to score throughout the second half, but each time, Poland’s defense was up to the challenge.
“We had our best week of practice, I feel, all year,” said Day. “That made a huge difference. Everyone was focused.
“We try to take it one game at a time but it’s tough to do that all the time. We were definitely focused on this one.”
Wollet had 82 yards on 22 carries to lead Poland (7-0, 3-0), which entered the game ranked third in the Division III AP poll and second in the Region 9 computer ratings.
Reardon completed 3 of 5 passes — two of them clutch throws in the flat to senior Ed Kosec while under pressure — for 49 yards and an interception.
Senior Mike Mangiarelli, who had the Tigers’ interception, led Howland (6-1, 2-1) with 63 yards on 17 carries. Freshman Deveon Smith added 43 yards on nine carries and senior QB Matt Preston completed just 4 of 13 passes for 17 yards and an interception.
“They’re a good football program and when two good football teams get together and play, it comes down to one or two plays,” said Angle. “We got beat by a team that was a little better than us tonight. The key is to figure out why that happens and come back next week and be a better football team.”
Howland, which entered the game ranked sixth in the Division II AP poll and second in the Region 5 computer ratings, saw its league title hopes take a hit. But with games against Niles, Liberty and Warren JFK remaining, the Tigers are in good shape for the postseason.
Poland, meanwhile, plays at state power Steubenville next week, so there’s no time to celebrate.
“We like that,” said Day. “There’s nothing wrong with competition.
“It’s fun to be in these types of games. Against a team like Howland, we know it’s going to be a hard-fought game. They’re definitely a good football team, but we just came to play tonight.”
scalzo@vindy.com