Football will help provide a future for a half-dozen Canton HS graduates.

Six members of the Chiefs' football team have accepted scholarship offers from NCAA Division II programs.

A couple of them, at least, could soon be seen on national TV, if the future remains as bright as the past for both them and their soon-to-be-team. Defensive tackle Dan Farkas and offensive lineman Andy Ray will both attend Grand Valley State in the fall.

The Lakers won the NCAA Division II national championship last November and have a strong D-II program in place. Hopefully, Farkas and Ray will contribute to its longevity.

"He's strong for a senior in high school," said Canton coach Tim Baechler of Farkas. "And he runs real well."

The question is where will Farkas play. At Canton, the 6-foot-2, 247-pounder was a defensive tackle -- and a good one at that, named to the all-Western Lakes Activities Association team and given a slot at the East-West Coaches' All-Star game this summer.

Baechler won't predict when Farkas will play, either. "As a junior or a senior, he could be really good," Baechler said, figuring it could take a couple of seasons to adjust to the college game. "He could have gone to Wayne State, but he wanted to play for a winner."

Ray has the potential bulk -- he stands 6-4, 265 -- to make an impact, but Baechler thinks "he has a lot of development to do. He's got to get stronger, quicker."

While both Farkas and Ray may have to wait and learn to earn their position, Brandon Wilcox is hoping he'll get a shot much quicker as a free safety at Wayne State.

"They liked (tight end Chris) Smilo last year," said Baechler. "He made their traveling squad (as a freshman)."

Wilcox, 5-11 and 195, had enough speed to prevent opponents from getting behind him (4.6 in the 40-yard dash), and his agility in the Pro Shuttle drill impressed WSU scouts. "They saw he was fast enough," said Baechler.

One other thing: Wilcox, a team captain and all-WLAA selection, returned two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns last season, which should increase his value.

Zach Caswell, a 6-2, 210-pound offensive tackle, and Mike Lafata, a 5-11, 190-pound strong safety, were both signed by St. Joseph's College in Indiana, another NCAA Division II program. Caswell, who was all-conference at offensive tackle, doesn't have the size for that position in college.

"They want to move him to tight end," said Baechler. "He's got good size and he runs real well. He's a good athlete -- he'll be able to make that change."

As for Lafata, "his football savvy and intelligence are exceptional," said Baechler. "He's working on his speed.

"We've been telling him, his head will get him there, but his feet have to, too."

Both Caswell and Lafata could be instrumental in helping a program rebuild.

The final Canton football signee is placekicker Ankit Kachhal. Possessor of a strong leg, Kachhal converted 29-of-34 extra-point placements this season (including two that were blocked) and was 2-for-2 on field goals, making them from 39 and 27 yards.

Kachhal was the all-Western Division placekicker and punter; he averaged 36.0 yards per punt. Kachhal will take his talents to Saginaw Valley State, another strong Division II program.

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