CVMS seventh-graders victorious over West Branch

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Neighbors | Submitted.Canfields Logan Torok, Conner Hritz (34), Ronnie Angelilli (23), Donny Syrianoudis (73) and Ethan Fletcher (9) are pictured bringing down a West Branch ball carrier.

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Neighbors | Submitted.A Canfield Village Middle School player races down the sideline in an attempt to outpace a West Branch player at the game on Oct. 13.

The Canfield Village Middle School seventh-graders hosted West Branch on Oct. 13 in a battle of unbeatens and came away with a 20-8 victory.

Canfield opened the scoring driving 65-yards on 10 plays on the games opening series. Logan Torok took an option pitch around right end from 5-yards out for the score and a 6-0 Cardinal lead.

Midway through the second quarter Canfield quarterback Ethan Fletcher found Tony Pannunzio racing down the right sideline for a 52-yard gain down to the West Branch 17. The Cardinals were unable to convert but on the following possession the Canfield defense and special teams rose to the occasion. CVMS linebacker Chris Sammarone broke through the Warriors line to sack their quarterback forcing a fourth down punt. West Branch attempted a fake punt on the next play but were stopped by Ron Angelilli and Michael Minenok. Canfield cashed in on the ensuing possession when Fletcher scrambled 18-yards and dove to the pylon for the touchdown. Fletcher found Michael Mecure in the back of the end zone for the 2-point conversion and a 14-0 halftime lead.

West Branch closed the gap on their initial possession of the second half when they drove 65-yards in eight plays keyed by a halfback pass to cut Canfield’s lead to 14-8. The Cardinals responded by driving 65-yards in 10 plays on the next possession. Fletcher picked up 15-yards on a fourth and 5 to keep the drive alive and then raced 28-yards on a fourth and 2 to paydirt. Canfield ended any hopes of a comeback when Fletcher tackled a Warrior receiver on another fake punt attempt. Leading the charge for Canfield’s defensive front were Gianni Gaetano, Minenok, Donny Syrianoudis, Nick Hewko and Anthony Orr, while linebackers Conner Hritz, Sammarone and Torok were cited for the stellar play along with cornerbacks Jake Petro and Angelilli.