Seagulls rally past Poland for a 21-18 win

OLD ORCHARD BEACH ”“ Old Orchard Beach caused three fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown in the second half to beat Poland 21-18.

In the first half OOB gave up 180 rushing yards to the Knights with three touchdowns in the process. Poland scored first on a 35-yard break-out run by quarterback Tony Whalen. Whalen then reeled in an interception on defense, giving Poland a short field to work with. Knights fullback Tyler Sturtevant then took it in from eight yards out to score the second touchdown of the first quarter.

Old Orchard Beach got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a deep pass by quarterback Matt Parks to receiver Bryan Roberts. The Seagulls then kicked the extra point to make the game 12-7.

Poland scored again before the half was over on a long drive, capped off by a four yard run by Everett Bertrand. Poland missed their first extra-point attempt and both 2-point conversions, which proved costly in the end.

The second half featured a defensive scheme change by Coach Dean Plante.

“We put in a defensive game plan where we were going to put pressure on the edge and give up the pitch,” said Plante. “Coach Tibbetts did a great job and forced us to walk away (from the game plan). So at halftime we made the change and made them do what they don’t like to do, pitch and throw.”

Joe Gildard intercepted a Whalen pass and brought it back for a 52-yard touchdown on the first drive of the second half. The pass was tipped off a Poland receiver and plucked out of the air by Gildard.

OOB scored again on a toss play to Bryan Roberts, who then threw the ball eight yards to the back of the end zone, finding Gildard for the score. That brought the game to 21-18, which ended up being the final score.

In the fourth quarter, both teams caused turnovers. Poland forced three turnovers, two on fumbles and one on downs. OOB forced two of their four turnovers for the half in the fourth quarter.

“We have been fortunate these past few weeks where we bounced back after turnovers but we can’t keep doing that,” said Plante. “We put the ball on the ground at times we could have put the game away.”

Gildard had 91 yards of all-purpose yards, representing almost half of the Gulls offense.

“Most of the time the blocks were there,” said Gildard. “I just cut it outside and run as fast as I can. If it’s there than it’s there if it’s not then it’s not. Just have to get up and worry about the next play.”

Most of the Gulls wins have been of the come-from-behind variety. It’s unusual for a team with minimal depth to be considered a second half team but OOB plays that way, said Gildard.

“It seems like the first half we give up points then the second half we try harder, score and shut down their offense,” said Gildard.

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