Canfield capitalizes, 23-8

Friday, August 25, 2006 The Cardinals made the most of Rayen's mistakes and pulled away in the fourth quarter. By PETE MOLLICA VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF CANFIELD — The Canfield High football team went all the way to the Division II state final a year ago taking advantage of its opponents' mistakes. The Cardinals opened the 2006 season Thursday night doing much of the same thing, turning back Rayen School, 23-8, on the newly dedicated Bob Dove Field. The Cardinals struggled for three quarters, clinging to a 10-8 advantage which came on a 23-yard field goal by freshman Billy Fisher in the closing seconds of the first half. But in the final quarter the Cardinals finally exploded on a 44-yard touchdown run by senior Sean Baker. On the next series, Mike Hoelzel intercepted a Salvador Battles pass and returned it to the Rayen 2-yard line where Baker scored again, blowing open a close battle. "Canfield is such a good football team and so well-coached, you just can't make mistakes against a team like that," said Rayen coach Brian Shaner. "That's the second straight time they did it to us and I've seen them do it to so many other teams." Key play After a scoreless first quarter — which the Tigers dominated but couldn't score — Rayen appeared to get on the scoreboard first when Battled scampered 6 yards to the end zone on a fourth down play. But the Tigers were called for a penalty and ended up turning over the football. Canfield came right back and drove 85 yards with a 22-yard run by Baker and a 57-yard pass from Mark Carrocce to Trevor Carroll to the Rayen 13. Two plays later, Carrocce broke loose for a 12-yard touchdown run. Rayen wasted little time getting back in the game as Will Hopkins took the ensuing kickoff at his own 24 and raced 76 yards for the Tigers' only touchdown. Rayen was called for a sideline violation on the touchdown and had to try the extra point from the 18-yard line, where Battles found Tomaz Hilton in the end zone for an 8-7 lead. Late in the half Carrocce broke loose for a 32-yard run that enabled the Cardinals to get within field goal range. Fisher was attempting a 28-yard field goal when the Tigers jumped offside. He then wobbled one over from 23 yards out and a 10-8 lead. "You know you are always going to be in a battle against Rayen," said Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky. "Brian does such a great job with those kids. You know the game is going to go right down to the final quarter with them. "We felt that if we could stay with them early we might have the advantage later in the game and it turned out that way," Pavlansky said. Neither team could do anything in the third period, although the Tigers' Roncarlos Hilton did pick off a Carrocce pass late in the quarter. But the Tigers' drive was halted quickly by a holding penalty following a big gain by Stevie Slade. Pulling away Canfield started to pull away midway in the final quarter. Starting from its own 49, Carrocce ran 8 yards to the Rayen 44 when Baker then took the handoff, dipped outside and scampered down the sidelines untouched for the touchdown. On the second play after the kickoff, Hoelzel stepped in front of a Battles pass, picked up couple of blocks and raced down to the 2-yard line. On the next play Baker slashed over with 4:59 remaining. With Canfield trying to run out the clock, the Tigers got a break when the snap on a punt attempt was low and got past kicker D.J. Haurin at the Canfield 25. But Rayen had four straight incomplete passes and the Cardinals then ran out the clock. mollica@vindy.com