New head coach to lead Canfield in 2024

CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) – The Canfield football team has a new head coach for the 2024 season after Mike Pavlansky stepped down.

Pavlansky held the position for 23 years with 13 playoff appearances and a state championship win in 2022.

In 2024, it’s up to new head coach, Joe Ignazio to lead the Canfield Cardinals.

“Just getting my feet wet again, knocking the rust off from from not being a head coach the last three or four years,” said Ignazio.

The Cardinals’ new head coach was previously a defensive coach and assistant with the team. He also was the head coach of the Boardman Spartans for eight years.

“The tradition here, and you know what it means to be a Canfield Cardinal, they have to live up to that,” said Ignazio.

Canfield is coming off a playoff winning season in 2023 with an overall record of (7-4).

“Expectations are definitely what they’ve been the last few years,” said senior defensive end Angelo DeLucia . “We expect to win, we want to win, and we practice to win.”

The Cardinals bring back nine starters for this season, four on offense, five on defense.

“I just want a good season with the guys I’ve grown up playing with,” said DeLucia. “Hopefully a good playoff run. Every year it’s kind of it’s the culture, it’s the same expectations.”

DeLucia is a two-way player for the Cardinals at tight end and defensive end. The Canfield senior recently committed to play football for Ohio University after graduation.

The Division I commit will lead the Cardinals with fellow senior, receiver Nick Berardino, as the two upperclassmen show by example to a team dominated by sophomores.

“I was just kind of doing the stuff the guys before us did,” said Berardino. “We had good leaders in the past, like Danny Inglis , Broc Lowry, just doing that. Also rising to the leadership role and doing what the team needs.”

“A lot of them have some raw talent and if we can get them coached up the right way, get them where they need to be, then they can be great role players for us this year,” said DeLucia.

Canfield returns 18 letter winners for the 2024 season.

“Lot of fun a lot of success in the games,” said Berardino. “Working hard, playing tough, meeting that Canfield standard.

Coach Ignazio said the Canfield standard will live on as the team prepares for Week 1.

“The kids show up every day with a willingness and desire to work and work hard,” said Ignazio. “That’s the foundation they set before they got here. They know that’s something they need to live up to.”

Canfield gets ready to play at West Branch for Week 1, Friday, Aug. 23.

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