This year's Canton-Plymouth gridiron match-up promises to be a barn-burner

  On a scale of Joey Harrington (zero) to Joe Montana (100), tonight's Canton vs. Plymouth football showdown is shaping up to be a Tom Brady (95) in my book.
  Throw in the fact that there will be a live pep band on hand playing the schools' fight songs, perfect late-summer weather and a large, frenzied crowd, and the anticipation meter should get pushed well past the century mark.
  Tonight's clash (7 p.m., PCEP varsity football field) has everything you could want in a classic rivalry game: proximity (you can't get any closer than the fact that the

desks players sit in during classes are literally just a few feet apart), success (both teams made the playoffs last season and are 2-0 in 2009) and diversity (if you can find two more polar-opposite offenses than Plymouth's no-huddle spread and Canton's no-nonsense fullhouse, tight-T scheme, your first tub of popcorn is on me tonight).
  The entertaining festivities should start unfolding a little before 7 p.m. tonight when Plymouth's new giant Wildcat head tunnel is inflated just outside the team's locker room. 
  When the Wildcats -- who I'm guessing will be decked out in black-on-black uniforms with their new sparkling silver helmets -- come pouring out of the giant Wildcat's wide-open jaws, the stadium's west stands will surely explode with a thunderous cheer.
  But the greeting will be no louder than the one the Chiefs' faithful heap on their team when it explodes 65 players strong toward the visitors' bench.
A NIGHT TO BE THANKFUL
  It is at this point that I will look skyward and thank the man above for blessing us with the forthcoming two-hour spectacle that will surely pack more entertainment than three complete seasons of "Dancing With the Stars" could ever hope to.
  Being able to watch the two teams' backfields alone is worth more than the price of admission. Plymouth running back Jernarian Caldwell is a blur who can make a lot out of absolutely nothing.
  "(Caldwell) had a couple long runs against Brighton," said Canton coach Tim Baechler, "that he made all on his own. If there was a hole, it was a small one, but he made something happen."
  Baechler was equally impressed with Plymouth's first-year starting quarterback Victor Hicks, who resembles a right-handed Michael Vick with the way he can turn sacks into points.
  "The quarterbacks we played in our first two games were similar in style (to Hicks)," Baechler said, "but I'm not sure they were as strong or as fast as he is."
POUNDING THUNDER
  The Chiefs will counter with an offense that reminds me of the Lindell Drop Forge that I grew up not far from in Lansing, the one that kept pounding out steel with thunderous booms throughout the night.
  And if Canton's meticulous, down-to-a-science blocking schemes don't get you, its one-of-a-kind ball-faking skills will.
  Plymouth's stellar defense -- led by Brennen Beyer, Daryl Cohn and Tyler Grosh, to name a few -- will be tested by the Chiefs' fleet of lightning-quick running backs, including Kevin Buford, Davion Stackhouse and Adam Payter. Senior quarterback Kevin Delapaz is also a threat to score every time he keeps the ball or throws it.
  "Canton is Canton -- they'll continue to do what they do well and that's run right at you," said Plymouth coach Mike Sawchuk. "I don't know if they're quite as big as they've been in the past, but they're close. And they're as fast as ever."
  The most impressive stat Canton has compiled the first two weeks are zero points allowed -- an impressive feat considering the two offenses the Chiefs have faced may go on to average 30 points a game throughout the remainder of the their schedule.
  I have no clue what the score is going to be tonight and I wouldn't even want to guess which team is going to win.
  But I know one thing for sure: Victory isn't going to come easy for either team on the PCEP varsity football field tonight -- a reality that will only make it that much sweeter for the eventual victors.

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