Bulldogs fall to Attleboro in rain-soaked affair

On a rainy and windy night in Attleboro, the Canton High football team went toe to toe with an undefeated Bombardiers team before losing in the end by a touchdown, 26-20.

The Bulldogs are now 1-2 on the season and will host unbeaten Sharon in a key Davenport Division matchup tomorrow night at 6 p.m. The Eagles improved to 4-0 after a last-second win over Taunton on Saturday, September 29.

Attleboro is also now 4-0 after outlasting Canton on its home field last Friday. The Bombardiers struck first in the opening quarter, going up 7-0, but Canton responded with a pair of rushing scores in the second quarter — one by Shane Nordgren and a long 54-yarder by Dexter Green — to make it 14-14 at the half.

Undeterred, the Bombardiers surged ahead in the third quarter, scoring back-to-back touchdowns to take a 26-14 lead into the final frame.

The Bulldogs managed to cut the deficit to six on a three-yard run by Elias Camacho with 8:24 left in the game, and they had a couple of chances to tie or go ahead, but could just not get that one big play down the stretch.

The wet weather did affect play as Canton lost the ball twice and regained it once. Attleboro fumbled five times and regained possession twice.

Both teams had similar rushing totals, with Canton outgaining the Bombardiers 151-149. Green led the Bulldogs with 103 yards and a touchdown. Attleboro’s Malique Clark rushed for 146 yards and two scores.

The big advantage for Attleboro came in the passing game, as the Bombardiers threw for 119 yards, including touchdown passes of nine and 36 yards in the pivotal third quarter. The Bulldogs, by contrast, connected on only one of 11 pass attempts for a measly 13 yards.

All things considered, Bohane said the Bulldogs competed well against a Kelly-Rex Division opponent on the road in rainy conditions. The Bulldogs were without two key defenders because of injuries. Bohane is hoping that linebacker Conor O’Brien and safety Joe McCabe will be able to return against Sharon.

“We didn’t throw the ball well, and we have to improve on defending the pass,” said Bohane. “That includes coverage and communication. All of us, players and coaches, have to work on it.”

Bohane singled out the play of Joe Rudy, who excelled on the offensive line and at linebacker, finishing with nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Safety Brian Hagen led the team with 10 tackles and also recovered a fumble, while defensive lineman Frank Powers applied constant pressure against the Attleboro quarterback.

However, the best player on the field was Green, who, in addition to his impressive rushing totals, had one catch for 13 yards, four tackles as a cornerback and one forced fumble.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 3 2012. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.