Staff photo / Greg Macafee Canfield running back Paolo Papalia runs the ball during a preseason practice in August.

POLAND — The “Battle of 224” is back on the schedule this season as Poland and Canfield renew their rivalry after a two-season hiatus.

From 1944 to 2018 the series was held uninterrupted until the everpresent conference re-alignments threw the rivalry into jeopardy.

This time, the first meeting since 2018, there’s an additional wrinkle to the rivalry. As if the historic matchup between two longtime rivals wasn’t enough, Thursday night’s matchup will also be the first time brother Mike and Tom Pavlansky square off against each other as head coach in an actual game.

To top it all off, they’ll be coaching on a field named in honor of their late father.

Canfield’s Mike Pavlansky and new Poland coach Tom Pavlansky meet up tonight in the first of what both schools hope to be the new start to a longstanding tradition.

While most of the conversation has been centered around their first meeting, neither Mike or Tom are focused on that aspect of the game.

“Neither one of us are going to be making tackles or scoring touchdowns or anything like that,” Tom said. “We’re just trying as a staff, trying to put our kids in the best situation possible to have success.”

Tom, a 1987 graduate of Poland, had been with Lakeview since 1992, and took over the head coaching role in 1999. Tonight marks his first game as the coach of his alma mater, where his dad Dave coached from 1968-1978.

Dave passed away in 1978, when Tom was just nine years old. Since taking over as the Bulldogs’ coach back in February, Poland’s new leader has heard from many of Dave’s former players, telling stories about the legendary coach.

“I loved my time at Lakeview, I’ve got nothing but positive memories for everybody at Lakeview and I’m just extremely proud and excited to be back home and coach football at Poland,” Tom said. “Obviously it’s a sentimental place for me, my dad being there and me growing up there on the practice fields.

“Since I got the job, I’ve read many stories about my dad. I’ve had guys who played for my dad come up and talk to me and that’s irreplaceable. You can’t put a price on that. I’m really proud to be the football coach and we’re gonna do all we can to represent the program and the community.”

Mike, who is entering his 21st season leading the Cardinals, echoed the sentiments of his brother, saying how this game isn’t the “Pavlansky Bowl”, it’s Canfield against Poland.

“We’re not preparing to play Tom Pavlansky, we’re playing the Poland Bulldogs,” Mike said. “We’ve said this all offseason, way back in February when Tom got the job in Poland, the name on the field won’t matter.

“On Aug. 19, the coaches don’t matter. It’s the people between the white lines, the communities and schools. That’s what this game is always about and always will be about. Obviously, as a family, we’re so excited for Tom to start a new journey coaching at Poland as a head coach. That’s going to be neat to follow them throughout the year, but we’re not preparing for Tom Pavlansky.”

It’s obvious there’s mutual love and respect between Mike and Tom and ironically enough, the rivalry has only brought them closer together.

“All my siblings, Mike, my two brothers and two sisters, they’re my best friends, that hasn’t changed,” Tom said. “I think if anything, I’ve talked with Mike more this summer and fall, during our fall camp than we’ve had any previous years.”

Both teams are built similarly on solid quarterback play, talented skill position players and experienced coaching.

Poland leads the overall series 40-32 with three ties (1951, 1958, 1980). Canfield, described by Tom as “one of the premier teams of the area”, looks to close the gap in the all-time series results with a lack of mistakes and winning in the special teams game.

“You’ve got to limit your mistakes,” Mike said. “The team that limits mistakes in week one comes out on top. Throw on top of that the rivalry, now you’ve got to control your emotions. You’ve got to play really hard and really passionate, but you’ve got to play within yourselves in the confines of the rules and respect the rivalry.

“I think turnovers are going to be huge. They’re huge in any ballgame. I think the last 10 times our teams have played the team that won the turnover battle won the game nine times. That’s what you’re concentrating on, winning the turnover battle. You’ve got to win the special teams battle too. The team that does is going to have a great game.”

Kickoff for tonight’s showdown is set for 7 p.m. at Dave Pavlansky Field.