By Brandon Judeh

sports @vindy.com

HOWLAND

The Canfield High football team continued its late-season surge and Kimu Kim continued his record-setting season as he and the Cardinals defeated Howland, 28-7, on Friday night at Richard Lombardo Stadium.

Kim ran the ball 29 times for 288 yards, virtually shredding the Tigers’ defense.

“It feels great now that we are winning games,” Kim said. “Right now we are just playing for pride and for the ‘C’ on our chests. We are hoping to continue the great play next week and end the season on a high note and give the underclassmen some momentum for next year.”

Aaron Jenkins got the Cardinals (3-6, 2-2 All-American Conference American Division) off to a hot start when he scored on a spectacular 64-yard touchdown on a jet sweep.

Jenkins ran left and somehow avoided several defenders and broke loose, displaying his speed.

“We have been playing well, making plays when we have to and that certainly starts up front with our offensive line and what a great effort we had tonight on defense,” said Canfield head coach Mike Pavlansky.

The Cardinals made it 14-0 lead when Kim, playing running back, took a pitch from Jenkins and blasted through the Howland defense for a 24-yard score.

“My offensive linemen dominated tonight,” Kim said. “I have to thank them for their great performance. Our defense absolutely dominated tonight as well.”

Kim added touchdown runs of 10 and 44 yards to help the Cardinals pick up their third win in four games.

“We are so proud of our seniors, they hung in their with the program during some tough times and have taught the underclassman how to fight through adversity,” Pavlansky said.

The Tigers (4-5, 1-4) finally caught a break when Alex Corley recovered a fumble late in the second quarter to set up Howland with great field position.

For a moment it looked as if the Tigers blew their opportunity when Canfield recovered a fumble, luckily for Howland forward progress was called and the Tigers retained possession.

Moments later Jaquore Marrs rushed it in from three yards out to put the Tigers on the board.

But Canfield’s defense shut down one of the area’s top runners in Marrs, as the Cardinals held him to just 44 yards on 15 carries.

“Our offense isn’t built to come from behind, so they forced us into some situations that we aren’t comfortable in,” Howland coach Dominic Menendez said. “We had to throw the ball a little more than we wanted to.”

Jenkins rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown and outside linebacker Jake Dawson came up with a big interception in the fourth quarter.

Victor Williams had a big night, leading Howland in rushing (53 yards) and receiving (38).

This was the first time Canfield has defeated Howland since 2008 and the first time the Canfield seniors have ever defeated the Tigers at any level.