POLAND
Those endless, streaming yellow flags, key turnovers and errant passes that never found a receiver’s hands were all part of a game in which Poland had little difficulty putting together a 41-12 victory over Freeport on Friday night.
The gory details don’t add up to a hill of beans, though, because the Knights are now 2-1 in a season that looks quite promising.
The Knights scored a pair touchdowns 10 seconds apart in the first quarter to set the tone for the remainder of the contest.
Robbie Porter came up with the first touchdown on a 23-yard run after the Knights moved the ball from the Freeport 18. Seconds later, the Falcons fumbled on their 22 on the kick-off. Joe Harris fell on it, placing the Knights in the driver’s seat. Quarterback Adam Mocciola went back to pass and found an open John Fossett for 22-yard touchdown reception. Mocciola booted both extra points and life was looking real good for Poland.
“I talked with kids and they played hard and I guess the big message was there was good news and bad news. The bad news, it was pretty ugly,” Poland coach Ted Tibbetts said. “But I guess if you are a team that can win in an ugly game then that’s better than losing.
“Hopefully, it is the mark of a good team that it can win the ugly games,” Tibbetts continued. “We have been explosive if we can execute those things. Last year, we were 1-2. It was kind of nice not to see them excited about the win. They recognize there is some improvements they have to make.”
Despite those quick touchdowns, Freeport put one on the scoreboard when Eli Fox found Tyler Julian open for a 58-touchdown pass.
But Freeport’s response was short-lived as in the second quarter Mocciola scored on a 3-yard rush. His extrapoint attempt was blocked, but the Knights were well on their way with a 20-6 lead. By halftime, Poland constructed a 28-6 lead when Mocciola connected with Nick Cote for 3-yard pass. Cote also caught the conversion pass.
Mocciola was also a work horse on defense and proved that when he picked off a pass for a 24-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Patrick Jacques took over at quarterback for most of the second half and scored the final touchdown on 12-yard keeper. Mocciola added an extra-point kick.
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