Depth could doom Poland’s playoff hopes

August 24, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

POLAND

Poland has the seventh-largest enrollment of 44 football-playing high schools in the tri-county area, has made the playoffs each of the last seven years and just saw one of its graduates (Luke Wollet) earn a training camp tryout with the New Orleans Saints.

Yet, the Bulldogs have just 47 players on this year’s team, the lowest of head coach Mark Brungard’s nine-year tenure.

What gives?

“It’s been a problem the last couple years,” Brungard said, shaking his head. “But of those 47 guys, the first 20 are maybe as good as I’ve coached. We just don’t have a lot of depth.”

That doesn’t change Poland’s goals, though.

“We only need 11 players,” said senior Adam Wollet (6-foot-1, 225 pounds), a special mention All-Ohioan who is also Luke’s younger brother. “We’ll be fine with 11.”

Offense

Senior Dom Petrony, who moved from defensive end to quarterback in the second half of last season after Jacob Wolfe got injured, brings a better run-pass threat than any QB of the Brungard era.

“I kind of got thrown right in last year,” said the strong-armed Petrony, who relieved Wolfe midway through a Week 8 loss to Hubbard and started the final four games. “Jake taught me a lot about how to lead — that was probably the best thing that he did for me — and getting that experience really helped me out a lot.”

Wollet will also play tight end on what is (and always has been) a run-first offense under Brungard. Senior Marlon Ramirez, who rushed for 465 yards last season, takes over for the graduated Ross Gold.

“Boy, so far, he’s been really impressive,” Brungard said of Ramirez. “He kind of had to wait — Ross was really good — but it’s his turn and we’re excited about what he can do.”

Like last year, when he persuaded basketball-focused senior George Chamas to come out for football for the first time in several years, Brungard snagged two wideouts from Poland’s other sports: basketball player Tate Duarte — “Griz [Poland coach Ken Grisdale] doesn’t like me for that one,” Brungard said — and baseball player Anthony Calcagni.

The big concern is up front, where Poland returns just two players: Liborio Ricottilli and junior Justyn Madick.

Defense

Poland is also replacing its entire defensive line, but returns three linebackers (Wollet, Austin Wilson and Geno Petrus), a cornerback (Marty Malenic) and two safeties (Tyler Smith and Dylan Garver).

“Those six are really smart and really play great as a unit,” Brungard said. “We like our group on defense. We’re going to do what we do — create some havoc.”

Special teams

Robert Devito will be the kicker, Wilson will handle punts and Smith, Dylan Garver and Wilson will return kickoffs and punts.

Outlook

Poland’s schedule is typically tough, with games against three 2013 playoff teams (Hubbard, Marlington, Struthers) as well as bigger schools such as Boardman, East, Howland and Canfield and traditional powers like Columbus Watterson, Canal Fulton Northwest and Niles.

Those games are good if you’re trying to develop, but not if you’re trying to stay healthy.

“Staying healthy is very important because of our numbers, but it’s still Poland football,” Wollet said. “We’ve had success year after year for a reason. The coaches have a great system in place and everybody just needs to buy into the system and do their job.”

ROSTER

1Dan KlaseWR-DB5-9150So.

2Dom PetronyQB6-2195Sr.

3Marlon RamirezRB5-9190Sr.

4Dylan GarverWR-DB5-11175Jr.

5Tony ChiaroQB-DB5-10150So.

6Geno PetrusTE-LB6-1200Sr.

7Geno CentofantiRB-LB5-11185Jr.

8Josh BaderTE-DL6-0190Jr.

9Anthony CalcagniWR-DB5-11200Sr.

10Tate DuarteWR6-5205Sr.

11Marty MalenicDB5-11155Sr.