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Canfield prepares for hardest schedule
Cardinals go it alone as independent team
By Tom Williams
CANFIELD
Although the Canfield and Poland high school football teams aren’t playing this year, there still will be a Battle of 224.
Richie Hofus, a Canfield senior lineman, said Boardman has replaced Poland as the Cardinals football team’s top rival.
“It will definitely be Boardman this year,” said Hofus of the Week 10 showdown. “In a way, we’re using [the Spartans] as a replacement.”
After years of meeting in Week 10 as All-American Conference rivals, the Canfield-Poland rivalry fizzled when Poland joined the Northeast 8 conference and the two schools couldn’t agree on when to play.
Boardman and Canfield have played each other for several seasons and this year’s contest was moved from mid-season to the grand finale.
“Both school systems got together and said let’s more the game from Week 6 to Week 10,” Canfield head coach Mike Pavlansky said. “All games are important but that’s one both schools will point to as [huge].”
The major change for Canfield is playing as an independent after many years. The AAC Red Tier in football dissolved when Poland, Niles and East departed.
Familiar opponents remain on the Cardinals schedule — Louisville, East, Alliance and Howland.
Dover, the Cardinals’ Week 2 opponent, has played Canfield a few times in recent seasons.
Canfield will be playing four schools for the first time — McKinley (Washington D.C.), NDCL, Cleveland JFK and Medina Highland.
Last season, the Cardinals went 9-1 in the regular season to earn the Division III Region 9 top seed. The loss was to East (12-7) gave the Golden Bears the AAC Red crown.
Canfield won two playoff games before losing to second-seeded Kenston in the regional final. It was Canfield’s second straight regional final appearance.
The Cardinals have 14 lettermen and five returning starters on offense and defense.
OFFENSE
Pavlansky, who is in his 19th season at Canfield (135-65), said the offensive line will be the Cardinals’ strength. Returning are Hofus, Gavin Tareshawty and Michael Minenok.
Returning at running back is Nick Crawford.
“We’re approaching [being an independent] like any other season,” Crawford said. “We’re not worrying about it.”
Seth Hull and Chris Sammarone will split time at fullback.
DEFENSE
Anchoring the line will be Hofus and Anthony D’Alesio.
Crawford, like D’Alesio, is a state wrestling champion. He’s being moved from safety to linebacker.
“From a coaching perspective, you’re not moving someone unless you have someone to replace him,” Pavlansky said. “There is a need at linebacker and we feel comfortable at safety that we had guys who can step in.
“Nick is a tremendous athlete and can play multiple positions.”
Crawford, who has a scholarship to Kent State for wrestling, has no issue with the switch.
“I always wanted to be a linebacker,” Crawford said. “I’m a wrestler, I like to get my face into it, like to be physical.”
Sammarone has experience at linebacker as does McCoy Watkins.
Ethan Fletcher is the lone returning starter in the defensive backfield.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Pavlansky has not yet decided on a kicker and punter.
OUTLOOK
The Cardinals lack experience in the kicking game and at wide receiver. They also will be playing perhaps the toughest schedule in school history.
“Seven traditional playoff teams are on that schedule,” Pavlansky said. “We’ve never had a schedule like that.”
They open with Louisville, a team they’ve beaten the past two seasons.
“It’s fun, but we’ve got a target on our backs,” Crawford said. “They are going to be hungry to get back at us.”