STAFF WRITER

Canton prepared for the post-season Friday night by reminding cross-campus rival Salem how wide the gap has grown between the two schools' programs.

The Chiefs rolled to a 42-14 victory to finish the regular season 9-0 for the second consecutive year. Salem (3-6) lost for the sixth consecutive time after reeling off three straight wins to open the year.

"We see a different defense every week, so we have to prepare for everything," said Canton coach Tim Baechler. "Our backs made some big plays for us tonight.

" Now we have to stop listening to people say how good we are and work at getting better."

Salem coach Bob Cummings said his team was done in by ill-timed errors.

"We had some fumbles and penalties that really hurt us tonight," Cummings said. "You can't make mistakes like that against a good team like Canton.

"I was proud of our team this year, especially our seniors. They brought it every week and gave an excellent effort."

The Chiefs' defense struck first Friday night, scoring 20 seconds into the game when linebacker Jeff Hudson jarred the ball loose from Salem quarterback Jeff Lake. Jeff Piper scooped up the ball on the 13 and sprinted into the end zone. The extra point was missed, but Canton led 6-0.

Salem countered with an impressive 17-play, 94-yard scoring drive, which was capped off with Lake's one-yard quarterback sneak. Jon Pomorski's extra point made it 7-6.

The drive took 9:23 off the clock, so Canton ran just three offensive plays in the entire first quarter.

Canton took the lead for good on its next possession when Julian Smith dove into the end zone from 1 yard out. The Chiefs upped their cushion to 14-7 when Smith followed an Andy Rossow block into the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Chuck Schumacher's 13-yard burst up the middle and Collin O'Shaughnessy's first of four successful extra points with 3:49 left in the first half extended the Chiefs' lead to 21-7.

Smith's second TD of the evening from 22 yards out made it 28-7 with 1:20 left in the half. The score was set up by Smith's interception and 24-yard return to the Rock 42.

Canton quarterback Shawn Little completed a 23-yard scoring strike to Rossow on the first drive of the second half to make it 35-7.

Salem drove to the Chief 22 on its next drive, but couldn't convert a fourth-and-four pass.

Canton's final tally came with 3:24 left in the third quarter when Smith cut back against the grain and out-raced the Rock secondary on a 71-yard touchdown run.

Salem's scored with 37 seconds remaining when Lake hooked up with Joe Crist from eight yards out.

Canton out-gained Salem, 284-214, in total yards. The Rocks won the first-down battle, 13-10.

Smith picked up 144 yards on 11 carries. Schumacher rambled for 97 on nine attempts and Little ran for 24 on three tries.

The Chiefs held Lake in check in his final high school game, limiting the talented QB to just 54 yards on 23 carries. Fullback Cam Schambre gained 43 yards on 11 rushes and running back Kevin Bradley amassed 19 yards.

Canton's defense forced four turnovers: Piper and Hudson recovered fumbles, and Smith and David Neu had interceptions. Neu's pick was his sixth of the season. Jake Powers led the Chiefs in tackles.

Bradley had an interception for Salem.