Photo by: William D. Lewis

Photo

Poland’s Jerry Lawman scrambles in the Bulldogs’ Week 8 football game against the East Panthers on Thursday at Dave Pavlansky Field at Poland High School Stadium. The game was postponed by lightning, with Poland leading 14-7. The game has been rescheduled for today at 1 p.m. at Poland.

Photo by: William D. Lewis

Photo

Youngstown East's George Leflore (13) is brought down by Poland's Mike Turnbull.

Photo by: William D. Lewis

Photo

East’s Valentino Sewell (5) hauls down a touchdown pass against Poland’s Connor Schultheis during their Week 8 game at Poland High School Stadium.

Team

Poland

Record	Div.	Conf.
8/3	Div. III	All-American Conference Red Tier

Team

Youngstown East

Record	Div.	Conf.
1/9	Div. II	All-American Conference Red Tier

By Matthew Peaslee

mpeaslee@vindy.com

Dave Pavlansky Field at Poland Bulldog Stadium underwent a renovation in 2009 to make it one of the premier high school complexes in the region.

The only thing it’s missing is a retractable roof.

It would’ve come in handy Thursday night as the East and Poland football game was postponed due to lightning. It was around 7:45 when lightning was first spotted in the area causing the bleachers to be evacuated and both teams ordered to their locker rooms. OHHSAA rules state that play can be resumed a half hour after the final lightning strike. With an unpromising radar, it was just over 30 minutes later that the game was postponed.

With 2:53 left in the 2nd quarter and a 14-7 Poland lead, it will resume at 1 p.m. today.

“This will be a good reason to get them out of bed,” East coach Brian Shaner said.

Due to a teacher in service day, area schools already had today off. Shaner says his team would rather get back to work on the field than sit at home, anyway.

“They always want to play some football,” he said. “Looking at it as a positive, we get to play football in two days back-to-back.”

Poland scored on the game’s first possession with an 11-play, 80-yard drive led by seven rushes for 60 yards from Jerry Lawman.

East was ready to answer. However, after a 32-yard completion from Rayshawn Johnson to Ramone Elkins, the senior receiver fumbled on the 5-yard line. The ball rolled through the end zone for a Bulldog touchback.

Poland drove 80 yards for a score, again, as Tyler Evan rattled off a 68-yard run down the sideline putting the home team up by two scores. The sophomore currently has 79 yards on five carries. Fellow RB, Jerry Lawman has ran nine times for 68 yards.

“Our offense was clicking early,” Poland coach Mark Brungard said. “I’m glad we started to move the ball.”

But East was gaining steam.

The Panthers manufactured a 70-yard drive capped off by a successful pitch and catch. This time, Johnson found Valentino Sewell from 41 yards out.

On the ensuing Bulldog drive, the East defense stopped Evan behind the line twice. When play picks up, Poland faces third and 8 on its own 33-yard line.

“It was nice to pick up some momentum,” Shaner said. “We’re in a dog fight, now, and I’d love to keep it going back out there again tomorrow.”

The elongated break is a first for both teams and coaches. Shaner and Brungard have never had to deal with this kind of overlay. Both mentioned that the mood in their locker rooms was that of dissapointment.

“It’s a new experience and it’s actually kind of neat,” Brungard said. “It’s new on all accounts. I just told them, it’s life. Life throws you curveballs and they just have to step up and handle them.”

Even before the game, Brungard knew the rain was coming. In the locker room, he kept a keen eye on the radar and thought that it would let up by 9 p.m. For the safety of the players and fans, he was happy it was eventually called in a timely matter.

“We knew it was going to get a little hairy — sure enough it did,” Brungard said. “No matter what or how it’s done, we’re getting four quarters of football in. It just so happens that we’ll finish it tomorrow.”

Prior to the delay, the Bulldogs tallied 153 yards, all on the ground. East rushed for 52 and threw for 90. George Leflore and DD Fleetion have split the backfield duties carrying for eight and six times, respectively. After throwing just three times in a win at Struthers last week, Johnson has already completed 5-of-8 passes. The sophomore QB has hit three different receivers.