Streetsboro’s offense hasn’t been slowed by too many … well … anyone through eight games.

The Rockets’ football team has averaged more than 52 points per game, one of the most potent forces in the state.

Canfield’s defense has allowed two touchdowns in the past three games. The one against Kenston came in the waning seconds.

The Cardinals held St. Vincent-St. Mary this past weekend to six points — a team that lambasted its first two playoff opponents.

“Our kids played tremendously hard for 48 minutes,” Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky said about the win over SVSM. “To hold that team to six points, which is the least they’ve scored all year long, is a tremendous feather in our defensive cap. We’re really pleased with the type of performance they had.”

That stout Canfield defensive presence will be tested Friday in a Division III, Region 9 semifinal at Streetsboro High School, starting at 7 p.m, in a battle of 8-0 teams.

Senior running back Richtell McCallister has had 96 rushes for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns. He went over 200 yards on nine carries during the first half and finished with 21 carries for 310 yards and four touchdowns in Streetsboro’s 54-21 win last week over Dover.

Canfield beat Dover 31-10 in Week 4.

McCallister has verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky University.

“Our guys have to know where he’s lined up and in what positions,” Pavlansky said. “We have to stop his speed. We have to be in great pursuit lanes. If we’re not, he gets one crease, nobody is going to catch him. Nobody has caught him all year. Nobody is going to catch him Friday night if he creases us.”

This is the furthest any Streetsboro team has made it in the postseason.

The Rockets have a balanced attack with quarterback Maysun Klimak. He is 38-of-56 for 866 yards and nine touchdowns, with only one interception.

“That makes it real difficult on the defense,” Pavlansky said. “Secondary guys are going to have to read their keys, make sure they’re covering the pass. Guys up front have to make sure they’re putting pressure on the quarterback. If there’s no pressure on the quarterback, he sits back there all day long. It doesn’t matter what coverage you’re in, eventually it’s going to break down.”

Canfield has a balanced offense as well, led by a strong offensive line.

The Cardinals only had 10 plays for 12 yards before Friday’s game against SVSM was postponed due to lightning. The two teams resumed Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., with a much different approach for the Cardinals.

Pavlansky said things were simplified on what the offensive line needed to do against the Irish.

“Those guys did a tremendous job,” he said. “We averaged over four yards a rush, which we want to do against a good defensive front. We were able to mix in the pass to keep it balanced.

“Those guys have been the workhorses all year long for us. We’re going to go as far as they let us.”

The line helped sophomore quarterback Broc Lowry succeed. He had 111 passing yards and 111 rushing yards as Canfield imposed its will against the Irish.

“He’s mature beyond his age,” Pavlansky said. “He’s just that gifted. That offensive line did a tremendous job protecting him. He got hit Friday night. He wasn’t touched Saturday night, honestly.”

Canfield has five players that have rushed for at least 145 yards, while there are five receivers with more than 111 yards. Ethan Fletcher leads with 368 yards receiving on 33 receptions.

“He’s got some weapons on the outside,” Pavlansky said. “It wasn’t just one or two guys. We completed passes to six, seven guys. He was able to spread the ball. That makes it more difficult on the defense, too.”