Chiefs upend Salem, await playoff fate
By ED WRIGHT
Staff Writer

Every season since 2000, Canton's football team has relied on its punishing offense and unyielding defense to lead it into the Division 1 state playoffs.

This year, the Chiefs are relying on nothing short of a miracle.

Canton closed out its regular season on Friday night with a convincing 34-13 triumph over Salem to improve its record to 5-4. The Rocks dropped to 1-8.

Since only teams with at least six victories are assured post-season spots, Canton is hoping the difficulty of its schedule makes it one of the few 5-4 squads whose name will be announced during Sunday night's "Selection Show," which will air live at 6:30 p.m. on FoxSportsNet.

"I think we may finish near the top (of the teams with 5-4 records), but it's going to be so close as to whether we make it in," said Canton coach Tim Baechler. "I have no idea what's going to happen because there are so many things that can happen. Nobody knows.

"We didn't take care of business when we needed to this season, but the kids fought their hearts out all year."

The atmosphere around the Chiefs' practice field was strange last week, Baechler said.

"It was like a morgue around here on Monday," said Baechler. "It really was different. It got better on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and we had some fun.

"During the game tonight it was tough because we weren't playing to go 9-0 or for a No. 1 seed. It was like, 'Let's just win and hope."

Salem was playing for pride and to take some good feelings into the off-season after dropping seven of its first eight games. The Rocks never quit, scoring two fourth-quarter TDs against the Chiefs' second-string defense after falling into a 34-0 pit during the game's first three quarters.

The Chiefs found pay dirt on their first drive of the half, their final drive of the half and two in between to secure a 28-0 advantage at the break.

Senior Mike Chaperon bulldozed in from the 1 with 7:16 left in the first quarter to make it 6-0. Daniel Stoney's first of four extra points on the night upped the lead to 7-0.

A little less than five minutes later, Canton senior fullback Jordan Raiford found a seam in the Rocks' defensive line then rumbled 32 yards to the end zone to make it 14-0.

Sophomore Ron Gaudi scored from eight yards out with 9:02 remaining in the half and senior running back Tim Klott rammed in from the 1 19 seconds before intermission to pad the lead to 28-0.

Gaudi's score was set up two plays earlier when Canton quarterback Adam Powers connected with senior tight end Will Tidwell on a 28-yard strike that moved the ball to the Salem 16.

The Rocks' defense turned in a pair of big first-half plays when Shawn Lyons picked off a pass in the end zone with 6:20 left in the first half.

Four minutes later, linebacker Justin Bader registered an interception.

Raiford tallied the Chiefs' final points of the night 1:32 into the second half when he powered through the Salem defense for a 48-yard TD run. Stoney's extra point dinged off the left upright, preventing the game from shifting to a running clock.

Salem averted the shutout with 6:17 left when Mullins scored from 53 yards out. The Rocks capped their scoring with a 1-yard sneak by back-up quarterback Justin Bashi with 10 ticks remaining on the clock.

Canton outgained Salem, 402-291 in total yards and 20-10 in first downs.

Raiford enjoyed an extraordinary night, rushing for 148 yards on just nine attempts. Gaudi was the next most productive ball-carrier for Canton, picking up 96 yards on 12 carries. Klott churned out 43 yards on seven attempts while Nicole Douglas - the lone female on either team's roster - chalked up 18 yards on her lone carry.

Mullins dialed up some big numbers: 225 yards on 24 carries for a 9.4 yards-per-rush average.

Powers was 2-for-5 through the air for 36 yards while Salem signal-caller Heath Parling was 7-for-14 for 62 yards.

Cam Phelps led both teams in tackles with 6.5. Senior linebacker Dan Wanshon capped his career in a big way with six tackles and a sack.

ewright@hometownlife.com (734) 953-2108

Originally published October 21, 2007