Westland John Glenn next for 10-0 Chiefs

Saturday, November 1, 2003

CANTON TOWNSHIP - Two Wayne Memorial High School coaches watched their team warm up 20 minutes before Friday's game against Canton.

"Looking intense," one said to the other. "Haven't seen that in about four games."

Make that a fifth and final.

Undefeated Canton quickly ended the Zebras' season, 49-12, on a warm Halloween night.

The Chiefs host Westland John Glenn next Friday.

Both teams entered the game in a tug-of-war, being pulled in opposite directions. The Zebras lost their last two regular season games by a combined 79-15. Canton - which earned its first 10-win season in school history - won its final three games by a 150-34 margin.

"It wasn't pretty," Wayne Memorial coach Craig Hnatuk said.

The Chiefs (10-0) scored less than 2 minutes in without running a play. Travis McKinney fielded the first of the Zebras' five punts, then split the middle of the field with a 71-yard sprint for a quick 7-0 lead.

"I can't wait to watch that on film," said Chiefs coach Tim Baechler. "That kid is explosive."

Two minutes later, Devin Thomas ran 71 yards down the right sideline, and quarterback Shawn Little had a 29-yard keeper for a 21-0 lead after one quarter.

McKinney and Thomas scored again in the second quarter for a 35-0 lead, prompting a second half of running clock.

On the other side, Wayne Memorial (6-4) had four punts and three turnovers by halftime. Tailback Tyrone Dillard had a 30-yard run in the first quarter, and 37 yards the rest of the way.

"If we could contain Dillard we thought they would shut down, and that's what they did," defensive back Marcus Griffin said.

Chuck Schumacher led the Chiefs with 113 yards on just 10 carries. As is their staple, Canton piled up 356 yards on the ground and 14 rushing first downs. Little attempted just two passes - bringing Canton's season-total to 43 pass attempts - one of which went 40 yards to Thomas for his second score.

Canton beat Wayne Memorial, 34-21, in September.

"We knew they'd try and get us back," Thomas said. "We just keep rolling."

Four blowouts in the Chiefs' last four games is impressive, but there's another elimination game next week to worry about, Baechler said.

"We'll enjoy this tonight," he said, "and tomorrow it'll be over."

Mark Heller can be reached at mheller@annarbornews.com or (734) 994-6812.