Chiefs' fast start sinks Vikings, 27-7

BY ED WRIGHT
Aug. 27, 2010, 11:45 p.m.

  The first two series of Canton's football season started with a three-and-out (from the Chiefs' defense) and a nine-and-in (by the offense).

  Head coach Tim Baechler couldn't have drawn it up any better.

  "Our defense stopped them, they punted, we got the ball and went down and scored right away, and I was like, 'Wow!', I didn't really expect that," said Baechler.

  "It was a lot like last year."

  The Chiefs are well on their way to matching or exceeding last season's 10-2 mark thanks to a convincing 27-7 victory at Walled Lake Central, which is never an easy place to play.

  While the offense was churning out 278 total yards, the defense was in attack mode, yielding just 86.

  "Our defense played very well tonight," said Baechler. "We got a little blitz-happy on one play and their fullback ran a belly for about 30 yards, but other than that, they were awesome. The front seven played very well.

  "Offensively, Davion Stackhouse ran well and (senior quarterback) Ben Merbler was very sharp. He had a great run on a keeper, audibled into a pass play that worked and overall did a nice job leading the team. Our offensive line was more than adequate."

  Senior linebacker Garrett Bryden picked up where he left off last season when he led the Chiefs in tackles. Bryden racked up 13 tackles, 10 of which were solo stops. Senior Jack Slater registered seven tackles while Braden Price had six.

  Stackhouse grabbed the game's lone interception.

  Stackhouse led all rushers with 118 yards on 11 carries (10.7 yards per carry). Fullback Zac Merillat was super effective in his Chiefs' debut, rushing for 65 yards on 6 hauls.

  Merbler completed 3 of 5 passes for seven yards and ran for 47 on 8 attempts.

  Stackhouse capped the season's first scoring drive -- a nine-play, 74-yard beauty -- with a 2-yard TD run.

  The Chiefs padded their lead to 13-0 on the ensuing drive when Merbler took a keeper to the house on the first play of the second quarter.

  Merbler's sneak with 2:23 left in the first half expanded the visitors' advantage to 20-zip.

  "That third touchdown just before halftime was huge," said Baechler.

  Central's Zac Leimbach put the Vikings on the board with a 1-yard run mid-way through the third quarter, but the Chiefs' defense stiffened the rest of the way.

  Canton's final score came on Merillat's 29-yard burst up the middle with 5:05 to play.

  Bryden was good on 3 of 4 extra points.

  Canton doubled up Central in the first-down department, 15-7.

  The game was virtually whistle-free as Canton committed just three infractions for 15 yards while Central was penalized twice for 10.

  The Chiefs converted their only fourth-down try. Central, on the other hand, was 0-for-3 on fourth-down attempts.

  Canton will face another stiff test Thursday night when it hosts Grand Blanc. The opening kick-off is set for 7 p.m.

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

Garrett Bryden wraps up Connor Rzeznik. (Rob Bryden photo)

Ben Merbler scored on this 46-yard keeper. (Rob Bryden photo)

Davion Stackhouse rushed for a game-high 118 yards on 11 carries. (Rob Bryden photo)