Cleveland’s Fann Runs for Three Touchdowns

It wasn’t pretty, but Cleveland Coach Steve Landress got the two things he wanted most out of Friday night’s nonleague game against Canoga Park: a balanced attack and a win.

Cleveland’s quarterbacks passed for 149 yards and tailback Albert Fann rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cavaliers to a 23-7 victory at home.

“We have one more win now than we did all of last year,” said Landress, whose team raised its record to 2-0. “We still have to improve, but I thought we improved a lot tonight over last week.”

Canoga Park trailed 17-0 late in the second quarter, but cut Cleveland’s lead to 10 points on a 14-yard touchdown pass from halfback Les Estrada to Garry Knapp. Canoga Park started the drive on Cleveland ‘s 14 after Cavalier punter Jay Rich fielded a bad snap on one knee.

Although Cleveland committed only one turnover in the first half, the Cavaliers displayed a lack of organization and self-discipline. Cleveland’s coaching staff could only scream from the sideline as the Cavaliers were penalized nine times for 90 yards in the first half and had to use all three of their timeouts.

Cleveland started the game strong, however, marching 83 yards on six plays for a touchdown on its first possession. Fann, a senior tailback, scored a 28-yard run. Fann carried four times for 39 yards on the drive.

Canoga Park had apparently stopped Cleveland on its next possession, but the Hunters’ Mike Conover fumbled on the punt return and the Cavaliers took over at Canoga Park’s 33-yard line. Cleveland moved the ball to the 12 and led, 10-0, when Derek Chernow kicked a 29-yard field goal.

Estrada fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Cleveland took over on Canoga Park’s 27, where Brian Taylor had fallen on the ball.

It took the Cavaliers only three plays to score, with Fann capping the drive with a 3-yard run over left tackle.

Fann, who rushed for 243 yards last week against Chatsworth, gained 82 yards on 14 carries in the first half. Cleveland received improved performances from both of its quarterbacks, who completed only three passes last week. Jamie Grossman hit on 4 of 7 for 70 yards in the first half. Mario Hall was 2 of 6 for 18 yards.

Canoga Park, playing without both of its starting offensive tackles because of injuries, was unable to establish its running game. In the first half, the Hunters were held to minus 4 yards on 8 carries. The Hunters passed for 90 yards, but 58 of those were on halfback options by Estrada. Canoga Park quarterback Jeff Myers completed 4 of 11 for 32 yards in the first half.

In the second half, Cleveland scored when Fann scored on a 7-yard run in the third quarter, capping a 36-yard drive.