Dogs fall to Franklin in high-scoring affair

In a battle of 2-4 teams, the Franklin Panthers out-dueled the Canton Bulldogs 35-21 in Franklin last Friday night.

Junior Dexter Green

Canton has now lost five straight games to league opponents after a promising 2-0 start. The Bulldogs have a bye this week and will resume play on Friday, November 4, at Oliver Ames (5-2).

Statistically, Canton had enough offense to win the game, compiling 325 total yards. The team finished with 229 rushing yards, led by quarterback Anthony Bires and running backs Dexter Green and Shane Nordgren. At times, the Bulldog offense had a new look with Nordgren getting more carries and Green operating as a receiver out of the backfield.

The Bulldogs lost the game on defense as the Panthers compiled over 300 yards in the air, most of which came in the first half. Franklin also ran for 125 yards and took control of the game in the fourth quarter.

CHS head coach Dave Bohane said he will be using the bye week to focus on fundamentals, especially tackling and pass coverage as the Bulldogs were gashed by several long passes and runs in the second half.

Defensively, linebacker Conor O’Brien led the way with 10 tackles and two sacks. Brandyn Sparks added eight tackles, and Ian Flavin, Elias Camacho and Justin Rudy each had one sack. Bohane also praised the work of Andre Etienne, who had several tackles on the defensive line.

Canton had a good first quarter, taking a 14-3 lead on touchdowns by Camacho and Green, who both turned a short pass from Bires into a long score after breaking several tackles.

Franklin almost scored a touchdown on its first possession, but a holding penalty and a sack by Camacho limited the Panthers to a 32-yard field goal.

In the second quarter, two long pass plays allowed Franklin to climb back into the game as the Panthers scored to make it 14-10. Canton came right back on its next possession, however, taking a 21-10 lead on a 12-yard run by Bires.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs could not stop the Panthers’ passing attack, and the home team scored again just before the half to cut the deficit to two points at 21-19.

The Canton defense stiffened on its first two possessions in the second half, but they failed to take advantage of a short Franklin punt, while the Panthers made their next possession count, scoring on a long pass play midway through the third quarter to take the lead for good.

Canton made it as far as the Panther 43-yard line in the fourth quarter, but on a third and 15 situation, Franklin intercepted a pass and later would cash in another touchdown.

“I was a little concerned how the team would react after the disappointing loss to Sharon,” said Bohane. “But this is a tough team. There is no quit in them. They went back to work, practiced hard, prepared well.

“We just fell to a few big plays. Defensively, we have to get back to basics. Our tackling has to be better. Our secondary has to play better, and I think they will … Overall, we are getting better each week.”

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=9135

Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 26 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.