By John Bassetti

bassetti@vindy.com

POLAND

If the won-loss numbers in the series between Poland and Niles are accurate, Niles’ 33-28 win Friday night was a big one.

Having been a coach in the Youngstown city school system for several years, Brian Shaner is no expert on Niles football, but he knew enough to say this: “It was a monumental win.”

That must validate the 19-4 series record in Poland’s favor.

Stefan Yuhas threw three touchdown passes and ran for a pair of TDs to finish with 93 yards on 35 carries for the unbeaten Red Dragons (4-0) in the All-American Conference American Division opener.

“I’ve never been able to beat Poland,” the senior quarterback said. “But they’re a tough team. We came into the game thinking we were going to run the ball, but they stopped that pretty good, so we had to pass the ball and my line protected me to get it done.”

Yuhas was given good protection from his entire line including center Bret Spencer and guards T.J. Brown and Kullen Smith.

It also helped to have exceptional receivers.

“When I throw the ball I can trust them,” Yuhas said of Marcus Hill, Chris Parry and Chris Hillier.

Hill had six catches for 76 yards and Parry caught three for 46.

With its no-huddle offense, Niles ran off 53 plays for 180 yards while Yuhas completed 11 of 19 for 165 yards passing.

“The guys are finally starting to understand it and they’re running better each week,” Shaner said of the no-huddle installed by offensive coordinator James Bell.

At the same time, Poland (2-2) had seven penalties for 70 yards, many of which were from personal fouls.

“I was very disappointed with the way it [penalties] went,” Poland coach Mark Brungard said. “I’m the head of the program, so it falls on me, but we’re going to get it fixed.”

After a first half during which Poland quarterback Jake Wolfe was 2 for 5 for 14 yards, he finished 16 of 25 for 268.

Anthony Marchionda was outstanding as the 5-9, 175 senior had nine receptions for 186 yards.

Marchionda had TD receptions of 63 and 48 yards, while Tyler Evan also scored on an 18-yard pass from Wolfe. Mike Turnbull had Poland’s other score.

Niles took a 13-0 lead and never trailed. Although Poland received the second-half kickoff, the Bulldogs fumbled trying to pitch on a sweep and A.J. Hillier recovered to set up a touchdown that put the Red Dragons ahead, 26-7.

However, Angelo Vardavas recovered an onside kick for Poland, but the Bulldogs failed to capitalize when the center’s high snap sailed over Wolfe’s head, allowing Josh Mango a chance to pounce on the loose ball.

Of his team’s pressure applied to Wolfe through the first three quarters, Shaner said: “Our [defensive] guys fly around because we want to play fast on both sides of the ball; it dictates what teams can and cannot do.”