Team

Poland

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

Team

Struthers

Record	Div.	Conf.
7/4	Div. IV	All-American Conference White Tier

By John Bassetti

sports @vindy.com

STRUTHERS

There’s no better way to start your homecoming game than to score first.

Struthers did that, but Poland wanted a slice of the atmosphere, too, as the Bulldogs charged back to beat the pesky Wildcats, 42-14, to remain one of the area’s few unbeaten teams after six games.

Dylan Garver scored three times on runs and the senior running back finished with 113 yards on 20 carries for the winners (6-0, 4-0 AAC White Tier).

Quarterback A.J. Musolino was 2 of 6 for 22 yards passing and gained 85 yards on 13 carries for Struthers (2-4, 0-3). He scored twice, including the Wildcats’ first score, a 43-yard run.

Like two boxers, the teams traded touchdowns on alternating possessions in the first half and Struthers hung within 28-14 at halftime.

After Poland’s Nick Buccieri had a quick-kick punt in the third quarter that gave Struthers the ball at its own 7, the Wildcats advanced to the 27. But Nick Miller recovered a fumble at Struthers’ 22-yard line and Poland proceeded to score to widen the gap to 35-14.

Then Anthony Audi’s fumble recovery started a 51-yard drive that ended with Garver’s third TD to finalize the score.

The recoveries were crucial for Poland, which struggled with penalties throughout the game.

“Penalties played a little more of a part than I’d have hoped they would and mistakes were part of this game,” said Poland coach Mark Brungard, who also pointed out that the Struthers fumbles in the third quarter helped ease the crunch for Poland.

“Their fumbles definitely cost them some opportunities that gave us a really short field in the second half,” Brungard said of the benefit of recoveries by Miller and Audi.

“We knew that the Poland-Struthers game is an emotional one and, sometimes, tempers get the best of you. But I think we weathered the early storm and executed our game plan and overcame some of the penalties that we did commit.”

What is Brungard’s six-game assessment?

“We just scored in some different ways tonight and continued to try to get as many players involved as we could,” he said of Buccieri’s back-up role to quarterback Cole Kosco and the contribution of Garver and the offensive line. “But we’re going to hang our hat on how our defense plays. We bent a little bit tonight with a few penalties [nine for 66 yards], but, ultimately, our defense rose to the challenge. If they play well, we’re going to be fine.”

Colt McFadden made six point-after attempts and his first six kickoffs were touchbacks.

“He’s a weapon,” Brungard said of the junior kicker

Poland still has the services of Joe Bonarigo, who suffered an ACL injury in the season-opener against Marlington. The 6-4, 230 Bonarigo returned for the Howland game and then played against Edgewood. He’ll need surgery after the season.

Struthers coach Curt Kuntz emphasized the importance of McFadden’s leg.

“The thing we said going into the week was that we had to get a turnover on special teams because that kid [McFadden] is special. He’s one of the best I’ve seen,” Kuntz said. “Causing a turnover is something we weren’t able to do. And, with all phases of their team so good, it’s hard to overcome.

“Every year it’s the same deal: they just reload and don’t miss a beat.”