UPSET IN THE CARDS?

Salem hasn't beaten Canfield in football since 1990.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
SALEM -- Fourteen in a row -- no wonder Salem High football coach Doug Phillips chuckles a little when you describe the annual Salem-Canfield showdown as a rivalry.
"For it to be a rivalry, you have to be able to beat them so we haven't done our part," Phillips said after the Quakers defeated Niles, 27-7, to take over first place in the Metro Athletic Conference.
The last time the Quakers defeated Canfield was 1990 when both were members of the Mahoning Valley Conference.
Revived program
And that's one reason why Salem hired Phillips away from Springfield five years ago to revive the Quakers' once-glorious football program.
It's taken a while -- the Quakers were 10-20 in Phillips' first three seasons -- but this town is once again fired up about football.
Last year's team went 6-4, with one of the losses being to Canfield, 7-3, at Reilly Stadium.
This year's Division III Quakers are 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Metro Athletic Conference. Salem is a half-game ahead of Canfield (6-0, 1-0) and Poland (2-4, 1-0) in the conference chase.
"Our kids have created an opportunity," Phillips said. "We have to make the most of it. We have to be a lot better than we played [Friday]."
Only defeat
Salem's loss came in Week 4, 21-16, to state-ranked Parma Heights Holy Name.
Mike Pavlansky's Cardinals are trying for their second undefeated record in four seasons. Their only scare came in Week 1 in a 17-13 victory over Rayen.
With Niles (3-3), Struthers (1-5) and Poland still to be played, the Cardinals are aware that Salem is the largest obstacle in their October path.
"I think it's going to be tremendous game between two good football teams," Pavlansky said. "Salem is a little bigger than us.
"They have good size up front with [Jake] Pastore and [Jake] Gano at tackle -- they will present a major challenge for our defense."
Also up front are center Zach Kennedy, guards Marcus Grimm and Matt Jenkins, and tight end Boe Endicott.
Keys to success
Because both teams are led by solid tailbacks, a key to Friday's game at Canfield Stadium will be which ball carrier is sprung more often.
Salem senior J.J. Johnson leads the MAC with 1,178 yards on 177 carries and 16 touchdowns.
Canfield senior Angelo Babbaro has gained 877 yards on 106 carries and has scored 14 touchdowns.
He scored two others on receptions, including an 83-yard play where he caught a pass from quarterback Frank Ross at midfield then shed an Alliance defender for an easy score.
Lauds line play
"Offensively, we have been successful because of our offensive line play," said Pavlansky, crediting center Nick Rousher, guards Ryan Pitzer and Justin Bonanno, tackles Matt Glove and Nate Brode, and tight ends Pat Bellish and Chris Ulery.
"Certainly we are pleased with the way our defense is playing and they need to continue to play with a great level of intensity and be very disciplined," Pavlansky said.
Pavlansky said the Cardinals need to find a way to slow Salem's running game and deal with talented wideout Jarin Heath, who sometimes lines up at tailback.
Tops in MAC
Salem quarterback Tom Jesko leads the MAC in passing after completing 58-of-93 tosses for 777 yards.
"Tom Jesko, is doing a great job in his first year at the position," Pavlansky said. "He's very efficient when he throws the football."
Ross takes most of Canfield's snaps and has completed 18 of 34 passes for 350 yards and four scores.
Before the Niles game, Phillips challenged his defenders to step up their running defense.
"We take great pride, but that was an area we wanted to improve upon this year," Phillips said. "Even though we've been winning football games, we were not happy with how we were giving up the runs."
Niles' offense struggled, especially after tailback Tyler Taylor injured a leg in the first quarter. Salem limited Niles to 10 yards rushing over the first three quarters.
"It was awesome to see them held to 0-to-2-yard gains," Jesko said.
Phillips said the Quakers "did a great job that first half tackling up front against a physical team," Phillips said. "Zach Kennedy was the guy making the hits in the first half. We ask a lot out of our defensive linemen and they rose up to the occasion."
Although the Cardinals have dominated in wins, the past two games with Salem have been thrillers. In 2003, Canfield rallied to post a 43-42 overtime victory.
Last year, Canfield scored the only touchdown in a low-scoring affair.