by CHARDON, Ohio – In a battle between two of the top three teams in Division III, it took only a few minutes to show who would stand tall. The Chardon Hilltoppers excelled on both sides of the ball, dispatching the Canfield Cardinals 38-6 at Chardon Memorial Field.
The Hilltoppers, the #1 team in Division 3, improved to 10-0 and claimed their first regional championship since 2003. The sweeter thing was doing it on their own home turf and being able to “Defend the Hill.”
For Chardon, both the offense and defense made “critical plays” as head coach Mitch Hewitt called them, allowing the Hilltoppers to roll to a win. Three defensive turnovers led to three scoring drives.
“Critical plays,” Hewitt said. “We have big-time players making big-time plays in big-time games. That’s ultimately why we’re one of the four teams left standing. It’s a testament to the talent that we have out here. We have really good football players.”
Chardon opened the game with the ball and it took one drive to decide the outcome. James Pettyjohn capped a four play, 60 yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Chardon jumped out front 7-0, just 82 seconds into the game.
James Pettyjohn puts Chardon up 7-0 with a 1 yard TD run. 10:38 left in 1st Quarter. pic.twitter.com/w1yaFbjT18
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 7, 2020
It took only three plays for Chardon before Vince Ferrante made up with a key interception off Canfield QB Broc Lowry, ending the inaugural Canfield drive. Evan Ash capitalized for the Hilltoppers on a one-yard touchdown run.
After a Vince Ferrante pick, Evan Ash punched it in from the 1-yard line. 14-0 Hilltoppers 3 minutes in. pic.twitter.com/0Jugr4lER6
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 7, 2020
Canfield started the second quarter with a drive that ended in the red zone, but it didn’t equal points for the Cardinals. Following a fumble from Lowry, Nathanael Sulka scooped the ball up and took it 90 yards for a scoop and score. The defensive stop made it 21-0 Chardon with 8:51 left in the second quarter.
After a fourth down stop of the Hilltoppers, the Cardinals were attempting to gain some late first half momentum. As Canfield drove into the red zone, Sulka struck again with a interception for Chardon as the Cardinals were turned away. Sulka later left the game with a shoulder injury.
Nathan Tager added a 25-yard field goal before halftime as Chardon led 24-0 at the intermission.
Chardon capitalizes on an INT from Nathaniel Sulka and adds a Nathan Tager field goal from 25 yards out.
Hilltoppers lead 24-0 at halftime.@sports_kee pic.twitter.com/unf9PH8mTl
— Tony Bogan (@TBoges2010) November 7, 2020
Canfield exited the locker room at halftime and turned in a nine play, 64 yard scoring drive. Lowry scored on a two-yard keeper for the first Canfield points of the game. The two-point try was no good as the score sat at 24-6 with 7:36 left in the third quarter.
Broc Lowry punches it in from two yards out to put Canfield on the board. They trail 24-6 after the failed two point try.@sports_kee pic.twitter.com/aJgOhngLaS
— Tony Bogan (@TBoges2010) November 7, 2020
Chardon wasn’t phased by the Canfield score as they delivered almost “twice.” The kickoff was nearly returned for a touchdown but an illegal block in the back call brought it back. Chardon returned to their bread and butter with a 13 play, 90 yard drive that ate seven minutes off the clock.
Drew Fetchik capped the drive with a keeper and he pushed the needle to 31-6 as the third quarter came to a close.
Drew Fetchik on a 4-yard keeper for Chardon. It’s 31-6 Chardon as the end of the third quarter is upon us. pic.twitter.com/HVrn1yotBU
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 7, 2020
James Pettyjohn put the running clock into effect with a one-yard score in the fourth quarter.
James Pettyjohn punches it in from a yard out for his second score of the game. Running clock will be in effect shortly. Chardon leads 38-6 with 7:42 to go.@sports_kee pic.twitter.com/VeEw8GQXoF
— Tony Bogan (@TBoges2010) November 7, 2020
The Chardon faithful were able to roar one final time on the Hill as the clock ticked to zero, crowning the Hilltoppers as regional champions.
The Chardon Hilltoppers are heading to the D3 Final Four! pic.twitter.com/7gk8ov52BI
— Tyler Stotsky (@tstotskySID) November 7, 2020
Chardon was outgained in the game by Canfield on offense but Hilltoppers used their might on the ground.
Chardon totaled 290 yards of offense with 236 on the ground and 54 in the air. Pettyjohn ran for 132 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns. Sean Carr added 55 yards rushing on ten carries. Sulka had one catch for 47 yards along with his fumble recovery and interception.
Vince Ferrante and Nathaniel Sulka share their thoughts on @topperfb regional championship win over Canfield.
@sports_kee pic.twitter.com/kbp3TeDuOs
— Tony Bogan (@TBoges2010) November 7, 2020
Canfield tallied 319 yards of offense with 193 passing and 126 rushing yards. Lowry completed 15 of 30 passes for 193 yards with 81 yards on the ground. Ethan Fletcher (5 catches, 55 yards) and Tony Pannunzio (5 catches, 72 yards) were the leading receivers for the Cardinals.
Chardon will now play Tiffin Columbian next Friday (Nov. 13) in a Division III State Semifinal at a site to be determined Sunday. Tiffin Columbian defeated Holy Name 17-14 in Region 10 action.
