Canton stops Wayne Memorial
WAYNE -- Canton entered Friday night's game against Wayne Memorial with one thing on its mind: Stop quarterback Absolom Goode from making big plays.
It worked.
The Wayne Memorial standout could not get anything going offensively and Canton controlled the ball throughout the Western Lakes league game and claimed a 42-6 victory.
"That was absolutely the game plan," Canton Coach Tim Baechler said. "We wanted to control the ball and limit the amount of plays that (Goode) could touch the football."
Goode finished 3-of-12 passing for 34 yards and two interceptions and was a non-factor rushing the ball. Canton (4-0, 2-0 West Division) ran more plays in the first half (38), than Wayne Memorial did in the game (33).
The Chiefs, ranked fifth in The Detroit News' Top 25, rushed for 401 yards against a Zebras defense that could not stop Canton's running back rotation. Julius Smith finished with 122 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and Chuck Schumaker carried 15 times for 134 yards and two scores.
"We were running a lot of our off-tackle game -- they gave us that," Canton running backs coach Tony Boucher said. "It was there, so all (Smith) had to do was crank it up."
Much of the credit goes to Canton's offensive line, which started five seniors and opened gaping holes for the runners all night.
"Those guys are outstanding," Boucher said of the line. "From Day One in this program, our offensive line is our heroes. They're a bunch of grinders (who) get the job done."
Smith scored the first two touchdowns of the game to give Canton a 14-0 lead that seemed safe, considering its prior performances this year. Entering the game, the Chiefs had outscored their opponents, 116-6.
Wayne Memorial (1-3, 1-1) ended Canton's streak of 12 consecutive quarters without allowing a point when Blaine Simmons broke a 59-yard run down the left side with 4:43 left in the half to make the score 14-6.
"It was a mistake. It was all my fault," Baechler said. "The original defense I had planned would've been great, but I overcoached it. It's my fault. (Simmons) was fast. He is a heck of a good athlete."
Baechler said the players were disappointed in the halftime score, but after a few minor adjustments on both sides of the ball, his team seemed ready to take control of the game.
After three Canton defenders sacked Goode on third down on the opening drive of the second half, Deshon McLendon scored on a 3-yard run to make the score 21-6. Two plays earlier, McLendon ran 50 yards down the right side to put the Chiefs inside the Zebras' 10.
If there was any doubt about the final outcome, linebacker Jeff Hudson ended such thoughts with an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown 54 seconds into the fourth quarter.
"I was glad we were in a little bit of a struggle in the first half -- I mean, I'm not -- but you get a chance to see how your kids respond," Baechler said. "The kids came out and responded perfectly. I've been wondering how good we are. I think we're good."
Both teams have home games next week. Canton plays Northville and Wayne Memorial plays Plymouth.
Larry Cathey is a free-lance writer.