Beloit, OH -- For the past few seasons, one opponent has stood in West Branch's way more than any other: the Canfield Cardinals.
That trend continued Friday night. Canfield arrived with a 1-4 record, but its four losses had come by a combined 22 points, and the Cardinals showed why. Canfield beat the Warriors 24-14, handing West Branch its first loss of the season.
The Cardinals are now 4-1 against Coach Tim Cooper since 2022.
First Half
The night started with promise. West Branch marched down the field on its opening drive before a big hit jarred the ball loose from Grady Hirst, and Canfield came away with it. The first quarter came and went without a point.
Canfield struck first with 8:58 left in the second quarter when its quarterback plunged in from a yard out. The Warriors needed less than three minutes to answer. Hirst bulled his way in from the 1, but the extra point missed and the Cardinals held a 7-6 edge.
A 34 yard field goal pushed Canfield ahead 10-6 with 1:59 left in the half. That was enough time for one more answer. Hirst found the end zone from a yard out with 19 seconds on the clock, Drake Stryffeler ran in the conversion, and the Warriors took a 14-10 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
Canfield came out of the break and put the game on Sami Hout's shoulders. The junior carried 25 times for 212 yards on the night, and his 8 yard touchdown run with 5:11 left in the third quarter gave the Cardinals the lead back at 17-14. Joey Pannunzio added 64 yards on 12 carries as Canfield piled up 265 yards on the ground.
After a steady diet of handoffs, the Cardinals finally went to the air. A play action fake pulled the Warrior defense toward the line, and Canfield hit a touchdown pass with 5:10 remaining to make it 24-14. West Branch outgained the Cardinals 382 to 310, but three turnovers left too much ground to make up.
Offensive Highlights
- Grady Hirst completed 19 of 31 passes for 227 yards, and ran 24 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns
- Gavin Marshall caught eight passes for 112 yards
- Drake Stryffeler caught four passes for 61 yards, and Landon Coffee caught four for 39
- West Branch finished with 382 total yards and 20 first downs
Defensive Highlights
What's Next: West Branch (5-1) travels to Carrollton (1-5) next Friday, Oct. 2. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
