Canfield dominates Beechcroft, 28-0

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- If you wanted to describe how Canfield dominated Columbus Beechcroft on Friday night, you could use technical language describing disguised coverages, blitzes, line stunts and hot reads.
But you wouldn't have to. Beechcroft coach Tom Dunlap made it real easy for everyone.
"They were way stronger than us," he said. "You don't have to know much about football to see that we were pushed around."
The undefeated Cardinals dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, out-rushing the Cougars 291-3 en route to a 28-0 rout in a Division II regional quarterfinal at Canfield High stadium.
Watterson next
The Cardinals (11-0) will play perennial power Columbus Watterson (10-1) next Friday at a site to be determined.
"Our defensive guys just played a tremendous ball game," said Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky. "They came in about 50/50 [run-pass] and we just tried to shut down their run and make them one-dimensional."
They succeeded. As Canfield's defensive line kept Beechcroft occupied, Cardinals defensive coordinator Gary Hoelzel brought pressure from all sides -- mainly using linebackers Joe Rosko, Kyle Banna and Justin Wolf -- forcing Cougar quarterback Marvin Stewart to deliver the ball before his receivers were open. The sophomore QB took a pounding; he was sacked three times, lost a fumble and threw an interception on the game's second offensive play.
Canfield senior Angelo Babbaro fumbled the opening kickoff and Beechcroft recovered on the Cardinals' 24. Two plays later, Canfield's Frank Ross picked off Stewart's pass, thwarting the Cougars' best scoring opportunity in the first half.
"I think that was the biggest play of the game," Rosko said.
The injuries
Babbaro recovered nicely, rushing for 136 yards and three touchdowns before leaving with a minor rib injury midway through the second half. The Cardinals also lost tight end Pat Bellish to a shoulder injury in the first half.
"We don't think they're serious but we don't know for sure right now," Pavlansky said of the injuries. "We'll check it out [today]."
Rosko and Wolf filled in for Babbaro at running back late in the game, combining for 76 yards. Banna added 54 yards and a TD and Ross had 32. Ross and Sean Baker combined for 44 yards passing, which was just enough to keep the Cougars off balance.
"We basically lost up front on both sides of the ball," Dunlap said. "When [Canfield's] getting four, five, six yards a pop, [they're] going to be successful."
Beechcroft senior Clinton Blossomgame, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards during the regular season, had four carries for minus-3 yards. Stewart was 10-of-19 for 141 yards, including a 49-yarder to senior Leo Obasahan that gave the Cougars a first-and-goal at Canfield's 1 late in the third quarter.
Jumbo package
Trailing 28-0, Beechcroft went with its jumbo package on the first-and-goal play, trying to get the ball to 300-pound tackle Durrell Givens. Givens never got the ball cleanly and Damon Buente recovered for the Cardinals.
When asked about the call, Dunlap said, "Well, I don't think it would have mattered who got the ball because our guard was in the backfield."
Canfield held the ball for the final nine minutes of the game -- the Cardinals held a 21-minute edge in time of possession -- but, as usual, Canfield's defense stole the show.
"We see ourselves more as a defensive team," said Wolf, who had two sacks and recovered a fumble. "Our offense has improved since the beginning of the year, but our defense is what gets it done."
scalzo@vindy.com