Ben Merbler scored on this 76-yard first-half run. (Rob Bryden photo)

Chiefs hit the ground running
in 48-21 romp over John Glenn

  How potent was Canton's ground game Friday night?

  Senior running back Davion Stackhouse averaged a Barry Sanders-like 7.9 yards per carry, which was just the fifth best total on the team against Westland John Glenn.

  Altogether, Canton racked up 504 yards rushing in its 48-21 trouncing of the Rockets. With the win, Canton improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the KLAA South Division.

  The Chiefs host Livonia Churchill Friday night at 6:30 p.m. on the P-CEP junior varsity football field.

  The most productive Chief of all Friday night was quarterback Ben Merbler, who came within six yards of achieving the elusive double-triple: over 100 yards passing and 100 yards rushing.

  Merbler ran 10 times for 107 yards and completed 2 of 4 passes for 94 more. One of his aerials ended up in the hands of senior tight end Garrett Bryden, who turned it into a 65-yard touchdown.

  Along with turning in a productive night offensively, Bryden excelled on "D", picking off his third pass of the season while racking up a team-high seven tackles.

  Canton led 42-7 at the half as Stackhouse and Kevin Buford accounted for two touchdowns each.

  Merbler started the scoring parade less than four minutes into the contest when he sprinted 76 yards to paydirt to put his team ahead, 7-0.

  Merbler capped the Chiefs' 42-point half when he connected with Bryden on a 65-yarder.

  Canton's final tally of the night came on a 30-yard run by Stackhouse with 15 ticks left in the third quarter.

  Stackhouse compiled 87 yards on 11 carries. Other Chief back who turned in stellar efforts were back-up quarterback Kyle Adams (63 yards on six carries), Buford (54 yards on five attempts) and Aaron Laurentius, who gained 49 yards on two hauls -- one which covered 44 yards.

  Bryden and Matt Gunnis both recovered fumbles for the ball-hawking Canton defense.

  Bryden kicked four extra points for the Chiefs.

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

Aaron Laurentius had two carries for 49 yards. (Rob Bryden photo)

Back-up quarterback Kyle Adams picked up 63 yards on six carries. (Rob Bryden photo)