Little Cards shutout Hickory in Friendship Game

The Canfield Little Cardinals 120-pound squad defeated the Hickory Hornets 14-0 in the annual Friendship Game Aug. 8 at Cardinal Stadium.

Canfield scored on its first two possessions and the defense dominated the Hickory offense, allowing just one drive across midfield.

Coach Tom Donadee credited the offensive line play of Glenn Griswold, Andy Murphy, Nico Bonamase, Jared Cross, Danny Kapalko and Tyler Stein for the team’s two touchdowns.

Running back Vinnie Fiorenza led the way with touchdown runs of 55 and 5 yards.

Defensively, Michael Chaplow and Bailey Flanagan had fumble recoveries and Michael Johns had an interception.

The Cardinals drove 65 yards in nine plays on the game’s opening possession. Fiorenza and Paul French carried the load and Fiorenza scored from 5 yards out to give Canfield a 6-0 lead.

On the conversion, French rolled right and threw a strike to Victor Labra in the corner of the end zone to make it 8-0.

After the Cardinals’ defense forced a three-and-out, the offense took possession on its own 45. On the first play from scrimmage, Fiorenza swept right, then cut back left and raced 55 yards for the touchdown. The conversion failed and the Cardinals led 14-0.

The Cardinals begin the regular season Sunday against the Newton Falls Little Tigers at 2 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium.