Saturday, October 19, 2002
The Cardinals beatPoland 20-15 to clinch the crown.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- When it comes to football, Mike Pavlansky is a greedy man.
"You don't want to share a league title," the Canfield High football coach said. "We don't want to share it and they don't want to share it."
Canfield didn't share much of anything Friday night -- and Poland shared too much.
The host Cardinals forced four Poland turnovers en route to a 20-15 victory that clinched the Metro Athletic Conference title.
In its favor
Canfield (9-0, 5-0) is second in the latest Division II, Region 5 computer ratings and fifth in the Associated Press poll of state teams. The Cardinals won their first MAC title since 1996 and clinched a home playoff game.
Poland (6-3, 2-2) is seventh in the Div. III, Region 9 computer ratings. The Bulldogs can still make the playoffs, but may need help.
"This is just unbelievable," Canfield senior Tom Rogers, whose interception with under two minutes left all but clinched the game, said. "To have all of our fans here our senior year to beat Poland ... it just feels great."
Rogers ran eight times for 72 yards -- including a 52-yard touchdown run down the left sideline with 7:21 left in the fourth quarter that gave the Cardinals a 20-6 lead.
"The play was designed to go right and I found a cutback lane and just used my speed to outrun their defenders," Rogers said.
What was he thinking when he got behind the defense?
"I just saw open field," he said with a smile. "All I could see was the pylon."
In front early
Canfield struck first in the game, driving 64 yards in eight plays. Running back Bill DeCola scored from 1 yard out.
After a Poland punt, Canfield drove deep in Poland territory. But Canfield senior Tim Dewberry fumbled on the Bulldogs' 5 and Chris Aracich recovered for Poland.
But Canfield senior Mike Turjanica intercepted Sean Clayton's pass three plays later and returned it to Poland's 3-yard line.
Canfield senior Leo Sorice then hit Jake Wargacki for a 2-yard touchdown pass to give the Cardinals a 14-0 lead.
The Bulldogs then drove 70 yards in 12 plays, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Clayton, but Shawn O'Halloran's extra point try hit the left upright.
The Bulldogs turned the ball over two more times in the first half -- a fumble recovered by Jerek Escaro and another Turjanica interception.
"Turnovers hurt us, no doubt about it," Poland coach Paul Hulea said. "But you have to give them credit. They were 8-0 for a reason. Our kids played hard and we have nothing to be ashamed of."
Final effort
Poland made it interesting late in the game. After Rogers' interception, Canfield fumbled the snap and Dewberry fell on it in the end zone for a safety that made it 20-8.
"We don't practice that play," Pavlansky said, shaking his head. "Thank goodness Tim had the presence of mind to fall on the ball."
The Bulldogs drove 53 yards in six plays and Clayton scored on a 2-yard touchdown run that made it 20-15 with 26 seconds left.
Poland's Anthony Fuller recovered the onside kick, but the officials ruled the ball did not advance 10 yards and Canfield got possession, running the clock out.
Sorice completed 4 of 9 passes for 72 yards, including three to wideout Chase Axelson for 70 yards.
Clayton completed 17 of 36 for 184 yards. Junior wideout Dave Koval caught 12 passes for 113 yards. Brandon Hardin added 11 rushes for 58 yards.
"We made plays when we had to," Pavlansky said. "These seniors prepared for 12 months for this game. We had the league title on our minds."
scalzo@vindy.com