Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Canfield's Broc Lowry celebrates his third quarter touchdown against Howland with teammate Jimmy Scharrer.

HOWLAND — The Canfield Cardinals have been one of the most complete teams in the area all season and Friday night in Howland was no exception as they thrashed the Tigers 42-14 for their seventh straight win.

The victory improves Canfield’s record to 8-1 with the only blemish coming in a 21-14 loss to undefeated Dover in Week 2.

The Cardinals have a plethora of stars on the roster including senior Drew Carrocce.

“It’s been a great season so far,” Carrocce said. “The only game we lost was on the last play of the game. It was a heartbreaker. Our quarterback, Broc Lowry, completed a pass to Paolo Papalia but they said he was out of bounds and that’s how it ended.

“We’re confident going into the playoffs. We’re going to take it week by week and get it done.”

Canfield got it done on the first drive of the ballgame by driving the field and punching it in from 3 yards out for a 7-0 lead.

The Cardinals looked like they might be in some trouble on their second drive, when they faced a 3rd and 11 from their own 1-yard line. But, Lowry found Oliver Kovass for an 18-yard gain over the middle. On the very next play, Lowry hit sophomore Danny Inglis with a screen pass and Inglis raced down the sideline for an 81-yard touchdown.

“We want to improve each week,” Inglis said. “We’ve gotta keep it going. The goal is to get to the end and get that ring.”

The Cardinals finish the regular season next Friday against Boardman.

“We have a major challenge, next week, against Boardman,” Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky said. “They’re going to be one of the most talented teams that we have faced all year long. We need to prepare for Week 10 and not worry about anything else.”

First, Canfield wrapped up Week 9. With the Tigers on the move, Carrocce stopped Howland with back-to-back tackles on third and fourth down. The Cardinals followed with a 8-play, 62-yard drive that Lowry finished off with a touchdown run. Canfield led 21-0 at halftime.

Carrocce had a big punt return to start the third quarter and then Lowry capped off the drive by running it in from 10 yards out for a 28-0 advantage. When Canfield kicked off, Inglis punished the Tigers with a crushing tackle.

A long punt return by Kovass set up another score for the Cardinals. This time, Mike Crawford pounded it in for a 1-yard touchdown making it 35-0.

Canfield forced another punt and Carrocce made a couple of moves and returned it for a touchdown. Canfield led 42-0.

Howland finally gave the home fans a reason to get excited when senior Matthew Woomer took a handoff 80 yards down the left side of the field for a touchdown. It was 42-7 heading to the fourth.

Woomer found the end zone again as he ran it in from 4 yards with 5 minutes left.

Canfield rested Lowry and other starters as the fourth quarter winded down.

“We’re improving,” Pavlansky said. “But, we’re certainly nowhere near where we need to be if we want to contend in our region. Our region is really talented and difficult. We’re improving and I’m excited about that.”