FeedsCanton defense holds Western scoreless
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Canton’s senior halfback Nick Moores (5) catches a pass from senior quarterback Steve Paye in the Chiefs’, 28-0, home victory against the Walled Lake Western Warriors on Friday.Canton overpowered another opponent on the gridiron Friday night.
Walled Lake Western was the latest to fall to the undefeated Chiefs in a classic smash-mouth contest at Canton.
Canton’s stout defense shut down the Warriors’ usually impressive offense in the 28-0 victory.
“How about that defense?” said Canton Coach Tim Baechler after the game. “I’m very proud of those guys. That’s not an easy team to defend—we shut out a good team.”
Senior defensive lineman Jay Bailey snagged a deflected pass for an interception on Canton’s 24-yard line late in the first quarter. The play curbed Western’s first and really only potential scoring drive of the game. Canton also sacked Western quarterback Jim Tesorero three times, recovered two fumbles and blocked a punt.
The game wasn’t a blowout like the score might suggest. Canton only had a 7-0 lead at the half due to a Nick Moores’ two-yard plunge into the end zone with 2:41 left in the second quarter. Colin O’Shaghnessy’s kick was good.
For the third consecutive game the Chiefs made the necessary adjustments during the intermission to put more points on the board.
“Teams have been playing good defense against us,” Baechler said. “Once again our coaches did a good job making adjustments and getting it going.”
This time it took a little more time for them to show, though.
“I don’t know what it is,” he added. “We made those adjustments early in the first quarter. For some reason they just…like they have to see it on the board or something before they totally believe it or get it. It’s just calm and cool, no yelling or complaining. It’s: here’s what they’re doing; these are the plays we’re going to run; and this is how we have to block it.”
Whatever was done at the break, it worked. Canton came back with two more scores in the third quarter.
Senior tailback Deshon McClendon capped off a six-play drive with a one-yard jaunt to pay turf. The extra point was good for a 14-0 lead at 6:18 of the third. Then senior quarterback Steve Paye connected with Moores for a 34-yard touchdown pass, upping the advantage to 21-0 with a O’Shaughnessy’s point-after.
Senior defensive back Chris Bogdanski recovered a fumble caused by senior lineman Donnie Laramie. That led to Moores’ two-yard lunge to finish the scoring 28-0.
“Last year, we were in situations like this and had to come back and get them going,” Baechler said of the second-have outburst. “What you hope happens is your defense plays like it did tonight and holds the fort down until you get your offense going.”
Canton remains undefeated, 4-0, and hosts a tough Franklin team at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Although Baechler deems proper preparation each week regardless of opponent, he also believes nobody should try to fix what isn’t broken.
“It’s the same,” he said about preparing for Franklin. “It’s another game.”
