Front 4 create

havoc as Cards

remain perfect

By Brian Dzenis

bdzenis@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Whether it’s the spread or a jam-the-ball-down-your-throat offense, Canfield’s defense has things covered.

The Cardinals maintained their perfect record by shutting down Boardman, 17-7, on Friday night.

Canfield (6-0) hasn’t allowed more than two touchdowns in a game since Week 1.

“Everyone is working together. Our defense is coming up with big stops,” Canfield defensive lineman Tyler Stein said. “We’ve been calm while making big plays and it’s been working out.”

Canfield has a commanding lead at the top of the Division III, Region 9 computer ratings and Friday night’s win probably clinched its trip to the postseason. With three of the Cardinals’ remaining four games coming against teams with a losing record, even a No. 1 seed looks very doable. But coach Mike Pavlansky doesn’t want to have that conversation just yet.

“The state doesn’t tell anybody they make the playoffs until [after] Week 10,” he said. “We’re not going to get too far ahead of ourselves.”

After handling the Struthers rushing attack last week, the Cardinals contained the Spartans’ dual-threat offense. No Spartan rusher — a group that no longer includes Joe Ieraci after he tore his ACL in Steubenville in Week 4 — had more than 40 yards. Quarterback Mike O’Horo threw for 84 yards with a touchdown, but was intercepted by Paul French of Canfield.

French has pulled in an opposing pass in back-to-back games.

“I’ve been practicing pretty good and my scout receivers give me good looks. I’ll give them the credit,” French said.

Boardman (3-3) has lost three straight games and squandered a chance to take a two-score lead early in the first quarter. The Spartans opening drive ended with Noah Falletti missing a 29-yard field goal attempt. Canfield fumbled the ball on the ensuing possession at their own 20. Boardman marched all the way to a fourth-and-goal at 2, but a botched snap kept the zeros on the scoreboard.

“When we’re down inside the goal line, you have to come away with points. That’s the bottom line,” Boardman coach Joe Ignazio said. “We could have been up 7-0 early, but don’t get in.”

Canfield’s defensive line did some masterful work. Anthony D’Alesio and Dan Kapalko were commanding double and even triple teams, allowing Stein, Vince Giordano and the team’s linebackers to get in the backfield.

D’Alesio and Stein are returning state qualifiers in wrestling. In some preseason rankings, the pair are both No. 3 in the state in their respective weight classes. The skills translate to the gridiron.

“It’s awesome. We’re staying low, we’re hand-fighting,” Stein said. “It’s helping our conditioning and everything.”

Canfield went ahead with two second-quarter touchdowns. Paul Breinz punched in a 1-yard score and Nick Crawford made a diving catch of a Vinny Fiorenza pass for an 18-yard touchdown. Fiorenza passed for 71 yards and rushed for 142 .

Boardman tried to mount two final scoring drives in the fourth quarter. A D’Alesio sack and two French deflections ended the first drive

“I sure hope [opponents keep throwing at me],” French said. “I want another pick.”

Angelo Petracci strip-sacked O’Horo to end the Spartans’ final drive.