With the Battle of 224 resolving in a 10-7 Poland victory, the Bulldogs are on a roll. They won their first four games this year, but the victory over Canfield was its own beast.
Poland Head Coach, Tom Pavlansky said, “It has been a while since I’ve been on the sideline, Poland’s sideline, beating Canfield, and I couldn’t wait to experience that again. In our stadium with the kids we have and the people that were around us and around the program, it was a special special moment to say the least.”
This game marked the first time Coach Tom Pavlansky trumped his brother Mike Pavlansky, the Canfield Head Coach. But to Coach Tom Pavlansky, the family feud changes nothing.
Coach Pavlansky said, “It’s Poland Canfield and that’s what it’s all about. We’re here to serve our Poland Bulldogs to the best we can, no matter the opponent or our ties to them.”
As for the players, celebration was the only thing on their mind. Directly after the clock hit zero, the Bulldogs ran onto the field and surged Coach Pavlansky with a cooler of ice water and the post game celebration began. The Bulldogs football team is all about tradition: keeping the post game speech, Alma Mater, and raising the victory flag in the routine.
Senior running back, Cole Fulton reflected on the post game celebration.
“First off, go to the locker room, play a Travis Scott song, then go with the boys to raise the flag. There’s nothing like it,” said Fulton.
Junior kicker, Jas Stefancin talked about the feeling of bringing the trophy back home.
“Holding that trophy was a great experience you know, we haven’t beaten them in nine years so being able to do that with all my boys and hold that trophy with all of them, it was a great experience for me,” said Stefancin.
Stefancin took matters into his own hands right before halftime by completing a 42-yard field goal to put Poland up 3-0.
This week, Poland will travel to Hubbard to take on the Eagles on Friday, September 15. The Bulldogs are seeking to continue their undefeated season.
