Canfield's dream continues Friday

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- The most magical run in Canfield football history really began on a cold night last December, when a dozen Cardinal football players drove down to Massillon together to watch Columbus Brookhaven beat Avon Lake for the Division II state title.
"I had never been to a state title game before and I had always wanted to go," said senior fullback/linebacker Kyle Banna. "We had played Brookhaven so well compared to the other schools and we wanted to see how they'd do."
The Cardinals, who lost to Brookhaven 18-3 in the first round of the playoffs, were the only team to lose by fewer than 21 points to the Bearcats in five postseason games. Avon Lake, the state's top-ranked team, fell behind 42-14 in a 42-21 loss in the final.
"It was kind of cool to see the team we faced in the playoffs playing in the state championship game," said senior linebacker/running back Joe Rosko. "The game wasn't even close. Brookhaven dominated from the beginning."
Making a run
The crazy thing was, Canfield started last season 3-3 and needed to run the table just to make it to the postseason. When they got in, no one knew they were traveling to play the future state champs.
"When we played [the Bearcats], we thought we had a good chance of beating them," said the Cardinals, who were tied 3-3 at halftime against the Bearcats. "When we saw that these guys were going to be state champs, it was pretty inspirational. We were like, 'We hung with the state champions.'
"I think it gave us more confidence."
Afterward, the Cardinal players went to Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky and said, "Coach, we're not that far away."
What did Pavlansky think?
"Well, I'm not going to dampen enthusiasm like that," he said.
Canfield started this season with a big senior class -- 23 players -- and 19 returning lettermen. They lost quarterback Jamie McNally and wide receiver Jordan Ferns to graduation, but several key pieces were returning. Pavlansky felt his team could compete for a league title and a playoff berth.
He wasn't prepared for what happened next. The Cardinals went undefeated, dominated the Metro Athletic Conference and earned their first state appearance in school history.
"You certainly don't expect to get to the state semifinals," Pavlansky said. "We expected to get better every day. We expected to compete for the league title. We expected to make a run at the playoffs.
"We never expected this. You only dream about this."
Motivational place
Inside the Canfield locker room, you can find a bevy of motivational slogans hanging on the walls. Letters from college coaches such as Ohio State's Jim Tressel and YSU's Jon Heacock are side-by-side with postings from JJHuddle criticizing the Cardinal defense. (Pavlansky is notorious for using any angle possible to motivate his team.) Across from the letters is a sign with the words, "Building the wall brick by brick."
It's the Cardinals' slogan, reminding each player to take the season one game at a time. On the floor, there are 13 stone bricks with the names of each opponent taped to the front.
"We always talk about the next play," Pavlansky said. "The next play is the most important play."
And the next opponent is the most important.
Canfield will play Tallmadge at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Twinsburg High School. The Blue Devils, who are making just their second playoff appearance, have not lost since last year's state semifinals when they fell to Avon Lake 33-14 at Parma Byers Field.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, have made it to the postseason three of the last five years. But they've never been this successful.
And the community has responded.
"Everywhere we go, people are congratulating us," said Banna. "We even get support from other communities. We went to the Mooney game [last Saturday] and we had a bunch of Mooney fans congratulating us."
"Our student section is probably the biggest supporter," added Rosko. "The kids at school are going crazy. They're putting signs up, they're getting their faces painted, they're signing out of school early to go tailgating.
"They're passionate supporters of high school football. You see support everywhere in the community."
Of course, that comes at a cost. Extra practices. Extra film work. Longer days. Pavlansky hasn't had any free time since July.
"That's OK," he said. "There will be plenty of time to rest when this is all said and done."
Making memories
What's been the best part?
"Winning," said Rosko. "You always have fun when you win. That's the most important thing."
Anything else?
"To be more specific, I love playing defense," Rosko said. "I love how crazy we are on defense. We're real passionate about it."
Banna, who will likely play Division I college football, has been playing football at Canfield since he was 7. He knows that, no matter what happens the next two weeks, this is his last chance to play with his lifelong friends.
"The best thing is getting to play a couple more games," he said. "It's something not everyone has a chance to do."
And when it's over?
"I don't know," he said. "I think it's going to be tough. You get close to these guys growing up and during the season. It's tough knowing I'm not going to play with them again."
Rosko, who started playing football in fourth grade, isn't sure if he'll play college football again. He's got some interest from several colleges so he'll have the opportunity if he wants it.
"It's weird," he said. "This might be my last chance. I've got to make these games count."
No matter what happens, these Cardinals will have made a lifetime of memories this year. Everyone wants a happy ending but in sports there are no guarantees. At this level, every team is tough.
"I'm just looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd," Banna said. "And going out with my friends and playing another football game, playing for Canfield and everyone who can't be there."
Added Rosko, "We're just gonna go out there and give it our best. Win or lose, you can count on us to give it our all."
scalzo@vindy.com