FeedsSpeedy Canton Chiefs ready for new season
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Canton Coach Tim Baechler (right) works with his linemen. He said the team is faster on both sides of the ball this year.Canton senior Nick Sweda looked like he was beat in practice last week when the receiver he was covering had a few steps on him in practice.
But Sweda found another gear, switched to it, caught up to the wideout, and not only broke up the play but nearly picked off the pass.
That’s what can be expected of the Canton Chiefs. Speed is what the squad brings to the table this year and a lot of it—possibly enough to dish out leftovers in postseason.
While there are several teams that would love to have finished 2007 with a winning 5-4 record, the Chiefs look to improve on theirs. Canton Coach Tim Baechler admitted that the team is physically smaller but hopes the speed will make up for it.
“I expect us to be a lot better,” he said. “I don’t know if that means in terms of wins and losses, but we’re going to be a lot better than we were last year, I know that. Our team speed is much better—especially defensively— and we have more depth at skill positions and more speed there. Coaches are a lot smarter when they’re faster. We’re excited. ”
The team fell short of expectations last year when they lost some close games, according to Baechler. Canton lost to Walled Lake Western (24-23) on a last-second touchdown and to cross-town rival Plymouth (22-20) in a heartbreaker. Churchill and Toledo Catholic Central dealt the other losses. The four losses knocked them out of the playoffs contention for the first time in seven years.
“It was disappointing because we expect to make the playoffs every year,” Baechler said. “We knew we were going to have to win some close games. We did and we lost a couple that we should have, could have won.”
Canton graduated 29 seniors from its ‘07 roster but could have as many as 43 juniors returning as seniors for the 2008 campaign. The Chiefs have the most experience returning on the defense side of the ball.
Senior Pat Madish is back at nose guard with senior defensive backs David Wilcox and Nick Sweda and senior linebacker Bryan Gerst. Outside linebacker Dakota Dark-Bird returns as a junior.
“We don’t have a lot of size that we did in the past but we got a lot faster this year,” Sweda said. “I’m looking forward to working with these guys this year. We have a lot better chemistry this year.”
With most of the offensive skill players gone, the Wing-T will have to rely on juniors from the junior varsity team to make it work. Ron Gaudi and Adam Payter anchor the backfield as the running and full backs respectively. Belleville transfer Kierre’ Daniels, a senior, is also in the back. Junior lefty and baseball standout Kevin Delapaz will have the chance to lead the offense at quarterback.
“Our offensive line is going to be good; they’re going to be quick and fast to the ball,” Delapaz said. “I’m going to have to be a leader and make sure the offense is working hard and making sure they work to their full capabilities because I think we can be really good this year. As long as we work hard I think we can accomplish anything we want.”
Canton has long history of winning under Baechler. The Chiefs were Division 1 State Runner Up in 2005, made it to the Division 1 Final Four in 2006, won districts in 2003 and the Western Lakes Activities Association (WLAA) Championships 2002-06.
The WLAA merged with the Kensington Valley Conference (KVC) to form a 24-team mega league, Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA).
Canton is now in the South Division of the Kensington Conference where they face Livonia Churchill, Livonia Franklin, Plymouth, Wayne Memorial and Westland John Glenn.
The Chiefs start their season with a home contest at 4:30 pm on Thursday, August 28 against a tough non-conference Brighton squad.
“I love this group of kids,” Baechler said. “They are fun to work with; they are committed; and that’s what it’s all about. Hopefully the wins just take care of themselves. We really try not to talk about winning and losing—just getting better and better.”
