Chiefs avenge loss with 462 rushing yards

Saturday, November 2, 2002

WESTLAND - Canton High School's football team avenged its only loss of the season Friday by crushing Westland John Glenn, 49-27, in the opening round of the Division 1 state playoffs.

Reggie Joyner rushed for 212 yards and scored three touchdowns, and Corey Rutledge ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns as the Chiefs (9-1) put to rest a blowout loss to the Rockets in week two.

"The whole season I've said how much I dislike these guys and how much we're going to come out and put a whopping on them," Joyner said. "And I'm just glad we did."

Canton coach Tim Baechler said the difference between Friday's game and the week two loss was turnovers.

"We didn't turn the ball over," he said. "Also, we went to the well one too many times with an audible and they intercepted it when we should have just thrown it away. So, we said no more audibles.

"Our offensive line controlled things. That was the difference."

Canton's defense held the Rockets (8-2) to 301 total yards, including just 13 yards rushing. Conversely, the Chiefs had 500 yards of total offense, including 462 yards on the ground.

Canton's Devin Thomas had 111 yards rushing and caught two passes for 38 yards. None was bigger than his 26 yard catch from quarterback Dave Nicoloff on fourth down and four that set up Joyner's 1-yard run to give the Chiefs a 28-21 lead with 6:56 left in the third.

"The offensive line blocked well, gave Dave time to throw the ball, and I just went up and got it," Thomas said.

The Chiefs started the game fast, scoring on the third play of the game - a 66 yard run by Joyner. On their next possession, Rutledge ran 8 yards for the score.

Glenn shocked Canton by scoring two quick touchdowns to take a 14-13 lead. The Chiefs came right back, scoring on a 74-yard run by Thomas. Joyner ran in the two-point conversion for a 21-14 lead.

Canton next plays the winner of today's game between Livonia Stevenson and Catholic Central.

Monica Pugno can be reached at (734) 994-6812 or mpugno@annarbornews.com