By JEFF ZUPANIC

sports@vindy.com

POLAND

Perhaps Poland was still lingering from its last-minute loss to Struthers last week. The Bulldogs did not look themselves on Friday night.

East had a lot to do with that after a virtuoso defensive performance that might rank as one of the best in recent history.

The Golden Bears took an early touchdown lead and made it stand up for a 10-0 win at Dave Pavlansky Field.

The victory will mean as much off the field since East will pick up plenty of computer points to be in the playoff hunt with three weeks remaining.

Poland entered the game fourth in Division IV, Region 13 and East was 14th in the same region.

“We talked about what this game could do for us and we told the kids our next game is the big game,” said East coach Brian Marrow, referring to undefeated Canfield. “We went into tonight saying this was our big game because it would bring a lot of points for us.

“Now we have to get ready for the No. 1 team in the state, then Warren Harding and Hubbard. The thing I am proud of right now is we have a shot to play for a championship and put a banner up and when is the last time we were able to do that?”

The 75-yard touchdown run by DeRon Gilbert Jr. in the opening minutes served as a knockout punch on several levels.

“We felt that we could hit that play and worked on it all week,” Marrow said “To hit that on the first play was pretty nice.

“I think it really let us believe. I know I felt pretty good after that score.”

Both teams moved the ball in the first half but couldn’t finish off their drives.

Poland’s best offensive opportunity of the first half came just before halftime when Mike Kushner intercepted a pass near midfield, but nothing came of the subsequent drive before the teams went to the locker room.

The Golden Bears (5-2, 3-0 All-American Conference Red Tier) held the Bulldogs to fewer than 200 yards of offense and 4 of 16 on third downs. Poland also hurt itself with 11 penalties for 118 yards.

“It starts with our front four. We have a YSU recruit [Chris Fitzgerald] and a Morgan State recruit [Terrance Yeboah] and those guys really asserted themselves,” Marrow said. “I was proud of how we handled things after getting those touchdowns taken away from us. We didn’t let it get us down.”

East had two offensive touchdowns and a pick-six taken off the board due to penalties but managed to add some insurance in the fourth quarter with a short field goal by Vincent Steele.

The Golden Bears finished with a 227-198 edge in yards.

Poland quarterback Cole Kosco was 16 of 32 for 130 yards with an interception, He led the Bulldogs (5-2, 2-1) with 28 rushing yards.

Gei’Vonni Washington led East with 91 yards on 21 carries and Gilbert had 79 yards on three carries.