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Canfield looking to turn it around
By Ryan Buck
CANFIELD
Two-win seasons are not the norm in Canfield, where coach Mike Pavlansky’s teams have made the state playoffs in six of his 12 years as head coach.
Thus, the offseason posed different tasks than in years past. Coaches at programs as consistent as the Cardinals are normally satisfied with assessing roster size and putting their players into the weight programs.
“We’ve got to be more competitive than we were a year ago,” Pavlansky said. “Coming off a 2-8 season, you look at everything in your program. There’s a lot of competition for all positions and we’re trying to get better every day.”
Pavlansky has always leaned on seniors to be an extension of him. That will be especially important this season, he says.
Half of the starting lineup features returning starters.
“Experience is tremendously important,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that. They feel more comfortable in practice and they felt more comfortable in the scrimmage [West Branch]. Just making their checks and their calls and reading blocks, you can see a year’s worth of growth. Hopefully that continues to translate once we get closer to the opener.”
OFFENSE
Six starters return from an offense that averaged just 14.9 points per game in 2012.
Starters return at key positions, however. Quarterback Kimu Kim and running back Nick Annichenni will be heavily involved in a run-first strategy. Juniors Aaron Jenkins and Drew Rogers can spell Kim or change the pace on opposing defenses.
Alec Buchenic anchors the offensive line, while the two tight ends, Cameron Tareshawty and Jordan Brown, are solid run-blockers.
DEFENSE
The Cardinals return five starters on defense. They’ll return to what the program deems its old and reliable scheme, a staple of its 2005 run to the Division II state title game.
“We’ll be going back to 3-4 scheme that we had for about 10 years here and our guys are picking that up again and our juniors and seniors are familiar with that,” Pavlansky said.
Sophomore defensive lineman Jacob Esarco should blossom into one of the area’s better players.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Edmond Pilolli is a three-year starter.
“He’s been tremendous so we expect nothing less,” Pavlansky said.
Brian Kristian returns for a second year of kicking duties.
OUTLOOK
Canfield opens with state power Louisville and that matchup will be a great barometer for its progress. A difficult schedule awaits thereafter.
Experience at key positions on offense will be vital. The question remains whether the offense will generate enough big plays to win those games against the likes of Louisville, Dover, Howland and Hubbard.