Canton feasts on turnovers in rout

David Goricki / The Detroit News

WESTLAND -- Senior backup quarterback Steve Paye forced a fumble, recovered another and directed five touchdown drives to lead Canton to a 42-3 Western Lakes Activities Association victory over Westland John Glenn on Thursday night.

Canton scored 28 points off turnovers.

The Chiefs (2-0) had a 14-0 lead at halftime despite gaining just 50 yards of total offense. They scored both touchdowns after forcing turnovers.

Paye forced the first, knocking the ball from John Glenn quarterback Justin Reid. Chris Hasse scooped it up and ran 53 yards for a touchdown.

"We weren't moving the ball offensively and the defense had to step up and make a play," said Paye, playing his first year of varsity football. "I just tried to hit him and get the sack. He came toward me and I was fortunate enough to knock the ball out of his hand."

Canton made it 14-0 after Nicholas Dunleavy recovered a fumbled punt at John Glenn's 27. Paye directed the six-play scoring drive, capped by Deshon McClendon's 6-yard run.

Canton starting quarterback Ben Vaughn, taken out after a big hit in the first half, returned to start the second half.

But he was forced out for good in the third quarter with a right leg injury.

Paye directed the Chiefs to three touchdown drives in the third, taking advantage of two more turnovers.

"I played just three plays at quarterback last week," Paye said of Canton's 35-0 season-opening victory over Ann Arbor Pioneer. "This was my first time with the first unit. It felt pretty good, especially when we scored."

Dalton Walser scored on a 40-yard run. Then, Paye recovered a fumble at John Glenn's 41, leading to Paye's 38-yard scoring pass to Walser. McClendon scored on a 25-yard run for a 35-3 cushion.

John Glenn is 1-1.

You can reach David Goricki at david.goricki@detnews.com