It’s mid-November, the sky is gray, a cold mist fills the air and at 5 p.m, dusk is already making its way to Dave Pavlansky Field in Poland.

“It’s a great day to go to work,” Poland High football coach Ryan Williams said. “Back when Bill Bohren was my high school coach at Boardman, he would always say that, no matter what the conditions were. It was always a great day to go to work.

“Well, when you’re still practicing this late into November, it is a great day to go to work. It’s always been my dream to practice on Thanksgiving. Hopefully we’re out here next week doing the same thing.”

While the vast majority of high school football teams around the state have packed away the gear for another season, Poland continues its daily grind thanks to a pair of playoff victories.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs will face Perry in the Division IV, Region 13 title game. The winner advances to a state semifinal.

Following a 1-2 start to the season, Poland has now reeled off nine straight wins. With the exception of a 14-12 victory over Struthers in the final game of the regular season, the victories have been convincing — and, they have been spearheaded by a stifling defense.

During its nine-game winning streak, Poland has outscored opponents 330-48. Struthers’ 12 points were the most given up during the stretch, and in the playoffs, the Bulldogs have outscored their two opponents (Struthers, Indian Creek), 66-0.

“All the credit goes to (defensive coordinator) Rick DiNunzio and the rest of the defensive staff,” Williams said. “Everywhere I’ve been, either as a player or a coach, the emphasis has always been on defense. The Steel Valley revolved around defense. The Youngstown area in general, when you think about the great football teams of the past, you’re going to see that they won with defense.

“Defense wins championships. (Former Mooney coach) Don Bucci always used to say, ‘If they can’t score on you, they can’t win.’ ”

Williams himself served as the Poland defensive coordinator for 11 years under Mark Brungard before being elevated to the head position in 2016.

“Nothing has really changed in terms of how we emphasize defense,” Williams said. “Looking back at all of the great Poland teams, defense has always been a key to the success.”

The Bulldogs’ defense is led by senior captain Mike Voitus, who was recently named the Northeast-8 Conference Player of the Year. Williams describes Voitus as “the motor of the team, a lunch-pail guy who leads by example.” Teammates Jared Tucker (DL), Zach Ellis (DB) and Andrew Centofanti (DB) also earned first-team all-conference honors.

“Jared scored a 34 on the ACT, he symbolizes the intelligence of this whole group,” Williams said. “Zach, he is so driven and he seems to be in the middle of every play. Andrew has done a great job on both sides of the ball.

“This entire defensive group, each one of them is special in their own way.”

DiNunzio noted that the play his unit is especially impressive given the fact that the Bulldogs began the season with eight new starters on that side of the ball.

“We had a lot of new faces out there, but we teach this system from a very young age, (and) it’s entrenched into the players by the time they get to this level,” DiNunzio said. “But this group is very special. They are driven, they are smart and they are eager to learn. What impresses me most about this group is their attention to detail.

“We’ll throw something out at practice for the first time, and it immediately sticks with them. On top of all that, they’re just physically talented and strong.”

DiNunzio says Poland will face its sternest test yet in Perry. The Pirates offense is averaging 49.3 points per game. Junior running back Jaylen Anderson (928 rushing yards, 43 receptions for 677 yards) has already garnered scholarship offers from West Virginia and Louisville. Earlier this year, senior quarterback Drew Schiano threw for nine touchdown passes in a win over Riverside. He finished the regular season with 2,597 yards and 34 TDs, while throwing just three interceptions.

“This will easily be the best offense we’ve faced yet,” DiNunzio said. “(Anderson) is cut from the De’Veon Smith mold. Very physical but with a lot of speed. (Schiano) holds virtually every school passing record. And they have just so many weapons.

“This is definitely going to be our biggest test of the season.”

A test that, if they pass, will put the Bulldogs back on the practice field for Thanksgiving and beyond.

Saturday’s winner will play Nov. 30. The opponent and location will be announced on Sunday.