By Brian Dzenis

bdzenis@vindy.com

POLAND

Playoff football is not a given in Poland.

That lesson was learned the hard way in 2016. The Bulldogs went 4-6 in 2016, missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

“It was hard, Poland has been one of the best teams in the area for the past 10 years and it sucked being a part of the group to break that,” senior linebacker Cole Lavorini said. “All of that has gone toward motivation for this year and bringing [the team] back to what it’s been.”

Head coach Ryan Williams wants to make 2016 just a brief slip in his second season in charge. Twenty seniors should help.

This season also carries additional weight as it could mark the end of the longtime rivalry with Canfield. Poland is leaving the All-American Conference for the Northeast 8 Conference in 2018 and the new league will not include Canfield.

Williams would like to keep the series alive even though the two sides will no longer meet in league play.

“I’ll play them any time. Week 1, Week 3 or any time. They’re still your rival,” Williams said. “It’s a good battle and the kids enjoy it.”

OFFENSE

Junior Cole Kosco reprises his role under center. He’s the main man, but senior Jonah Spencer can also appear in wildcat packages.

Kosco’s top returning targets are seniors Mike Diaz and Nate Alessi and Spencer can slot there and at tailback. Senior Dante Romano returns at running back.

The returning offensive linemen are seniors Nick Sabrin and Drew Davies.

“We’re pretty deep on the line. We’ve got seven or eight guys that can play on Friday nights,” Sabrin said.

DEFENSE

The Bulldogs return three linebackers with at least two years of starting experience in seniors Kincaid Mrakovich, Nick Miller and Lavorini. Senior defensive lineman Alec Catsoules returns after setting the school record for sacks in a season with 10.

“He had great year in track, too. He was a 28-foot long jumper and for a (5-foot-10), 210-pound kid, that’s really good,” Williams said.

There are no returning starters in the secondary and all jobs are up for grabs, Williams said.

Seniors Alessi, Billy Orr and Brandon Barringer will get work in the secondary and so will junior Heyden Kaschak.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Colton McFadden and his powerful leg have moved on to Kent State. McFadden hit a 55-yard field goal last season and provided the Bulldogs an impressive strategic weapon.

“It’s an unbelievable loss. More than the field goal ability that people don’t realize is that he had a touchback 82 times in his career, which means 82 times that our defense started at the 20,” Williams said. “Any time you make an offense have to go 80 yards, that’s really good.”

Sophomore Mike Kushner will take over the kicking duties. Junior Mitchell Frederick is the punter. Diaz, Romano and Barringer can all handle the return duties.

OUTLOOK

Williams and the Bulldogs have to prove 2016 was the exception and not the norm. If the head coach’s most lamented loss is his kicker, his team is in decent shape. Having seniors at every skill position save quarteback — which is occupied by a junior returning starter — plus a double-digit sackmaster on defense has Poland in place for a rebound.