METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE A perfect finish: Cardinals cruise past Marlington

Poland kept its playoff hopes alive with a 6-0 win over Struthers.
CANFIELD -- Canfield finished off its first 10-0 season in school history in grand fashion, taking a 41-0 halftime lead in a 53-6 rout of visiting Marlington Friday night.
"The kids pointed toward this game to get a strong start for the playoffs and obviously to make school history," Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky said.
"It's a special group of kids with some great seniors. We feel very fortunate and very blessed to be where we're at."
Tom Rogers had seven carries for 89 yards and three touchdowns for the Cardinals, who are second in this week's Division II, Region 5 computer ratings.
Canfield clinched the Metro Athletic Conference title and a playoff spot last week.
The Cardinals have made the playoffs twice in their history -- 1996 and 2000 -- and lost in the second round both times.
Canfield has twice finished unbeaten, going 8-0-2 in 1963 and 9-0 in 1959.
Senior Tim Dewberry had five carries for 85 yards and a touchdown and Bill DeCola added eight for 67 yards and a touchdown. DeCola's younger brother, Chuck, had seven carries for 50 yards and the game's final touchdown. Quarterback Leo Sorice also scored for Canfield and Mike Turjanica had 10 tackles and a sack.
The Cardinals out-rushed Marlington 336-80.
Brian Bosu had nine carries for 80 yards for the Dukes (1-9), who beat Canfield in Week 10 last season.
"One thing I've noticed about this team is that when bad things happen during a game, there's never a sign of panic," Pavlansky, who was an assistant on Canfield's 2000 playoff team and Mentor's 1992 playoff team, said.
"We keep playing and finding a way to win. Hopefully this will give us a good start for our second season and we'll continue to play at a high level."
Poland 6, Struthers 0
STRUTHERS -- Poland senior quarterback Sean Clayton scored on a 12-yard touchdown run in the opening minutes of the game and the Bulldogs' defense held the Wildcats scoreless in a MAC game at Struthers High School.
Clayton finished with 19 carries for 44 yards and Brandon Hardin added 72 yards on 22 carries for the Bulldogs (7-3, 3-2), who entered the game ranked ninth in Div. III, Region 9 computer ratings.
Clayton hit just 3 of 8 passes for 33 yards and was sacked twice for Poland, which finished second in the MAC.
Dan Livesay led the Wildcats (4-6, 2-3) with 16 carries for 39 yards and John Mansky had eight carries for 39 yards.
Tim Zetts completed 2 of 5 passes for 12 yards -- both to Dave Allen -- and was sacked six times.
West Branch 34, Salem 26
SALEM -- West Branch took a 34-13 third quarter lead and held off a late rally to beat its cross-town rival at Reilly Stadium.
Nate Greenawalt completed 10 of 15 passes for 141 yards and five touchdowns for the Warriors (6-4). Wideout Robert Stull had three catches for 44 yards -- all for touchdowns.
Josh Venables caught two passes for 52 yards and a touchdown and Josh Davis added a 5-yard touchdown reception.
Davis led West Branch with 30 carries for 149 yards.
Venables, Seth Sharp and Sean Edie had fumble recoveries for the Warriors and J.R. Gibson added an interception.
Landon Heath hit 14 of 28 passes for 140 yards, and three touchdowns. Grant Sevek caught four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, Garret Sevek had four catches for 20 yards and a touchdown and Geoff Cody caught a 2-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds remaining.
Zac Grey had two interceptions for the Quakers (4-6).