Chiefs dog Mustangs in 70-14 rout

BY ED WRIGHT
STAFF WRITER

Northville's best weapon -- Purina -- wasn't nearly as effective as Canton's best weapon -- Perino -- in Friday's night's homecoming game at Canton.

Likewise, the Mustangs proved to be no match for the Chiefs, who galloped past their visitors, 70-14, in a game marred by an ugly dogfood incident during the Chiefs' first offensive possession.

The win boosted state-ranked Canton's record to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the Western Lakes Activities Association's Western Division. Northville dropped to 1-6 and 1-4, respectively.

According to several Canton players and coaches, two Northville defensive linemen threw dogfood in the faces of a pair of Chief offensive linemen during the Chiefs' first offensive play.

The questionable strategy backfired for Northville as Canton's Winged-T offense turned the Mustangs' defense into kibbles and bits, scoring 42 points on just 13 offensive plays in the first quarter alone.

"Our kids picked up a handful of the dogfood, or whatever it was, and I took it over and showed their coach at halftime," said Canton coach Tim Baechler. "I told him their defensive linemen threw it in our linemen's faces. I told him that I didn't think he taught those things, but that I thought it was kind of bush."

Baechler said his team's best offensive output in nearly two years wasn't necessarily inspired by the dogfood incident.

"They (Northville) were just that bad on defense," Baechler added.

Senior strong safety Derek Perino was a one-man turnover machine for the Chiefs, recording two interceptions and a fumble recovery during a three-minute stretch in the latter stages of the first quarter and opening minute of the second against the Mustangs' usually potent, pass-happy offense.

Perino said he and his fellow defensive backs weren't extra amped by the fact that Northville's been known to throw the ball 30 times per game.

"We're always fired up no matter who we play and how much the other team throws," said Perino. "We have a lot of depth on defense and we don't really have any weak spots. We have good chemistry and everybody knows where everybody else is going to be. Plus, we have faith in each other."

Canton's Chris Bogdanski also contributed to the Chiefs' turnover fest by picking off a pass and pouncing on a Mustang fumble in the early going. The winners' sixth and final turnover came when Erik Wright picked off a pass mid-way through the fourth quarter.

"All week we told our defense that if Northville was going to run this kind of offense, we were going to have to make plays and get some interceptions," Baechler said. "It's high-risk and high-reward, but the kids did the job. Their quarterback threw some bad passes and we had them covered. Plus, a couple passes were tipped here and there, but overall I was very excited with how the defense played."

For the second-straight game, Canton third-string quarterback Adam Powers played like an All-League candidate. Filling in for the injured Steve Paye, who was filling in for the injured Ben Vaughn, Powers completed both of his passes for 64 yards and a pair of TD's (31 and 33 yards) to senior tight end Brandon Fender. Powers also ran the ball twice for 61 yards.

The Chiefs' offensive momentum didn't slow down a bit when Powers was relieved early in the third quarter by junior Ryan Neu, who racked up three carries for 96 yards and a pair of TD's (46 and 10 yards), as well as a 40-yard TD pass to junior tight end William Tidwell.

Baechler said he wasn't about to stop throwing the football with a big second-half lead as long as the Mustangs continued to blitz, which they did.

"I told the refs at halftime that I was putting in my two's (second-stringers)," Baechler said. "I told them that if they blitz me, I'm throwing because these kids deserve to try to move the ball, too."

Senior running back Antwaun Hawkins enjoyed a banner night, running 16 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Nick Moores also eclipsed the century mark when he ran for 103 yards on 11 attempts and one score.

Chris Woudstra scored the other Canton touchdown, a two-yard effort in the second quarter.

Canton more than doubled-up the Mustangs, 544-231, in total yards and 20-8 in first downs.

Canton's big offensive night was extra-impressive considering its top runner, Deshawn McClendon, ran the ball just one time before leaving the game with an apparent leg injury.

The Chiefs converted 7-of-9 third-down tries while the Mustangs failed to convert six third-down plays.

Dettrick Williams was Northville's lone offensive bright spot, gaining 203 yards and two TD's on 24 carries. Close to 80 percent of Williams' yards -- and both of his TD's -- came against the Chiefs' reserves.

Canton will carry the momentum into Thursday night's 7 p.m. WLAA conference title game at home against Walled Lake Central, a team Baechler has great respect for.

"I haven't seen them on film yet, but I know they run the ball extremely well," Baechler said. "Their defense is very fast and very good too. Hopefully, we'll have Deshawn back for the playoffs, and I'm not sure if Paye will be back for Central. We'd like to win the league championship and we're going to go for it, but we're not going to play guys if they're hurt."

ewright@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2108

Originally published October 8, 2006