FREEPORT — In a game filled with big plays and sweeping shifts in momentum, it was ultimately two onside kicks that propelled the Aquin Bulldogs to a 34-31 home victory over the Polo Marcos on Friday night.

With Aquin clinging to a 3-point lead in the waning seconds of the game, Noah Diemer secured Polo’s onside kick to seal the Bulldogs’ victory.
Aquin executed their own onside kick to perfection to open the second half with the game tied at 14.

Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by running back Cody Gallagher, who rushed for four of the five Aquin touchdowns and piled up 193 yards on 26 carries. Gallagher, who usually plays on both sides of the ball, did not play defense Friday night because of an aching elbow.

“He’s a heck of a player,” Bulldogs coach Andy Hughes said. “With him only playing one way, I think that kept him really fresh offensively.”

Gallagher’s third touchdown run came on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. While he shouldered the rushing load throughout the game, it was the execution of the Bulldogs’ special teams that defined the game.

“They (Polo) have great special teams,” Hughes said after the game. “We thought we could surprise them so we thought that an onside kick was the way to go.”

With 26 seconds left, Polo pulled to within three with a touchdown and two-point conversion. However, their hopes were dashed when Diemer recovered the Marcos’ onside kick.

- Jeff Montgomery, GateHouse News Service