Canfield wants to finish close games

August 24, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

CANFIELD

Since 2001, Canfield football coach Mike Pavlansky has led a program that has made six state playoff appearances, including a Division II state title game berth in 2005.

So don’t expect him to become some kind of hands-off CEO type.

The veteran coach oversees every drill in what’s become a fast-paced practice routine in Cardinal Country. As music blares from Cardinal Stadium’s loudspeakers onto Bob Dove Field, Pavlansky can be seen shuffling from position group to position group, barking orders, emphatically demonstrating blocking techniques and willing his players through the latter half of a grueling edition of two-a-days.

Little things matter, he tells his guys. The term “sense of urgency” is often repeated. Don’t even consider walking.

“It’s August right now,” Pavlansky says, “and people’s legs are tired and you’re trying to find out who’s going to fight through it and how much you can learn and how much you can get better.”

The Cardinals learned much from last season, especially the sting of falling by a combined eight points against three teams with winning records in the first four games of 2013.

“It’s concentrating on the little things and being able to make a play in the fourth quarter,” Pavlansky said. “Look to make a play rather than pulling back and having them make a play against you.

“We talked about it a lot in the offseason. We were close, but we weren’t able to finish. In the second half of the season last year, we did finish. We won three out of five games.

“Our guys had a great offseason looking at that. Now it’s time to not talk about it, but go out and start finishing games.”

OFFENSE

The Cardinals will need to break in a new quarterback this season to replace departed record-setting senior Kimu Kim. In a Week 6 double-overtime win over Niles — perhaps the Mahoning Valley’s game of the year — Kim set a state record with nine touchdowns. The 70-62 win was Canfield’s first victory of 2013.

“Kimu meant a lot to us the last couple years,” Pavlansky said. “He had a great year last year. We’ve got four guys looking to play quarterback right now.”

Scrimmages will determine who takes the snaps in Week 1, but senior Aaron Jenkins looks to get first crack at it.

“We’re going to start putting the pieces together, but we’re happy with the progress that senior Aaron Jenkins has made,” Pavlansky said. “Juniors Kato Kim, Luke Kelty and sophomore Jake Cummings have opened some eyes this summer.

“Just manage the game. Get us in and out of the right places, don’t turn the ball over and be a great leader in the huddle.”

Drew Rogers and Nick Annichenni look to serve in all-purpose roles, both rushing and receiving the ball to take the pressure off Jenkins.

DEFENSE

John French leads the defensive backfield while a young front seven takes shape.

The Cardinals surrendered 62 points to Niles, 41 to Alliance, 53 to Dover and 40 to Hubbard a season ago.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Cardinals graduated one of the area’s best punters in Edmond Pilolli, but senior Brian Kristan is a third-year starter.

OUTLOOK

Canfield will take on a traditionally challenging non-conference schedule with Louisville, Alliance and Dover on the schedule in the first three weeks before the All-American Conference road begins.

The Canfield-Poland rivalry returns to its rightful place in Week 10 to cap the regular season and there’s no doubt it’s one the Cardinals are looking forward to already.

Every huddle breaks with a resounding, “Beat Poland!”

Roster

3Drew Rogers TE-LB6-0191Sr.

4Jordan BrownWR-DB6-2201Sr.

5Luke KeltyQB-DB5-10169Jr.

6Mitch BeckWR-6-1177Sr.

7Jake CummingsQB-DB6-1168So.

8Matt MilliganWR-OL5-7163Sr.

10Dylan KuhnRB-LB5-11192Sr.

11Troy WilliamsRB-DB5-11160Jr.

12Kato KimQB-DB6-0174Jr.

13Jared ClarkQB-LB5-11190So.