Cards’ Zaremski embraces new role

By STEVE RUMAN

sports@vindy.com

CANFIELD

When the Canfield High School football team plays Kenston Friday in the Division III, Region 9 title game, the stands at Mollenkopf Stadium in Warren are sure to be packed with loyal Cardinals fans.

However, the team’s biggest supporter will be found on the Canfield sidelines, wearing street clothes along with a No. 7 jersey.

“Oh, I’ll be there cheering them on, giving them support, doing whatever small part I can to help them bring home a win,” Canfield High senior Matt Zaremski said Wednesday. “I’m with them every step of the way.”

Until Sept. 28, Zaremski was providing more than wisdom and moral support. Considered one of the area’s top two-way players, Zaremski played a vital role in Canfield’s success a year ago.

The wide receiver/defensive back was on pace to have an even bigger campaign this year before suffering a season-ending injury in Canfield’s 21-14 week six win over Boardman.

Zaremski tore his Achilles while being tackled after catching a fourth-quarter pass. His night to that point included a touchdown reception and a pair of interceptions.

“I knew right when I went down that my season was over,” Zaremski said of the injury. “I didn’t want to believe it, but I kind of knew.

“I remember looking up at the clock, there was 8:47 left in the game and I remember thinking that is where my season ends,” Zaremski said. “I originally thought I broke my ankle.

“When that X-ray came back negative I thought there was hope. The thing is, I’ve been hit and I’ve fallen so many times, so much worse than when this happened. It was just one of those things.”

Zaremski was a first-team All American Conference selection in 2017 after he hauled in 36 catches for 452 yards and five touchdowns. He was equally effective on defense.

Tuesday, Zaremski was selected second team wide receiver in the All-Northeast Ohio Inland District team.

Prior to the injury this year, Zaremski led Canfield in receptions (25) and receiving yards (373).

“You never think an injury like this is going to happen to you,” Zaremski said. “Our senior class is so tight. We’ve been talking about this season for the past five years, talking about how we were going to make the playoffs and make a run at state.

“Not being on the field, it’s brutal. But seeing the success the team is having makes things easier. Those guys are my best friends.”

On Wednesday, Zaremski took his first steps since the injury without the help of crutches or a knee scooter. And while getting around hasn’t been easy, it hasn’t stopped Zaremski from attending practices whenever it didn’t interfere with his rehab or therapy.

In fact, while the Cardinals lost a key player, they gained a coach and a key member to their support staff, according to Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky.

“Since the injury, Matt has been nothing but supportive to his teammates and an unbelievable leader and role model,” Pavlansky said. “He is a captain and he is extremely well-respected by the entire team. So for him to show up at practices and be there for the team is a huge boost.”

“Having Matt at practice is like having another coach on the field. He knows the game, and if he can lend some advice to the players, it means a lot coming from him.”

A week after the injury occurred, Zaremski was unable to attend Canfield’s game at Niles. In that contest, the Cardinals defeated the Red Dragons 35-0 thanks in part to a pair of touchdown passes thrown by senior quarterback Max Dawson.

Afterward, Dawson told reporters that he “needed to get a couple of touchdowns through the air for Matt. He’s a great friend, a great teammate and a great receiver. It was tough not having him out there with us tonight, so I wanted to put a couple in the end zone in his honor.”

Zaremski admitted that Dawson’s comments caused him to “tear up,” and prompted him make a vow to be with his teammates for remainder of the season.

“It was really tough being there for the Youngstown East game, because we lost and I felt so helpless,” Zaremski said. “But they have been on a roll since. It’s tough not being out there on that field, but at the same time it’s a lot of fun watching them win.”

Canfield (11-1) and Kenston (11-1) will kick off Friday at p.m. The winner will play either Columbus Eastmoor Academy or Thornville Sheridan in a state semifinal game.