CHS football edged by Foxboro

CHS head football coach Dave Bohane said the last time he remembers a Bulldog team beating Foxboro on its home field was in 1987.

The Bulldogs came very close to ending the 25-year losing streak last Friday as they stood toe to toe against the Warriors in a 28-22 defeat.

The visitors were plagued by some controversial calls by officials, including a holding penalty on a Canton receiver that negated a touchdown. But the Bulldogs ultimately lost the game due to turnovers at inopportune times and several long gains by the Warriors’ rushing attack.

“I know our record (1-5) should be better and we did make some mistakes,” said Bohane. “We made progress against a very good Foxboro team (6-2), which is tough to play at home. But all three parts of our team played very well and I am proud of everyone.”

Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli said Canton was the toughest team his squad has faced all year. “I take my hats off to the Canton kids,” he said. “They were tough as anyone we have played.” He also praised Canton quarterback Ian Flavin for his clever play, which resulted in several ball fakes and an 11-yard touchdown run.

The most controversial play came with under five minutes remaining in the game and Foxboro leading 21-14. Warrior running back Kivone Howard, who finished with 254 yards rushing, burst through the line for an apparent 62-yard touchdown. The play was initially called back because a Foxboro lineman had used an illegal “cut-back” block on a Canton defender. However, after reviewing the game film, Bohane said the block is legal under Massachusetts rules although it is not legal in other states.

The Bulldog offensive and defensive lines were quite competitive with the Foxboro squad, which fielded 99 players compared to Canton’s 47-member team. Besides having depth, the Foxboro players were among the tallest and heaviest in the Hockomock League.

Canton jumped out to a 6-0 first quarter lead thanks to the running of Dexter Green and Flavin, who led the team in rushing with 32 yards. Foxboro came back to lead at halftime 7-6.

The Bulldogs regained the lead with 6:10 remaining in the third quarter after Sir D’Wayne Reid pounced on a Foxboro fumble and runs by Green, Elias Camacho, and Shane Nordgren set the offense up near the goal line, culminating in a one-yard plunge by Green. A two-point conversion by Nordgren gave Canton the lead at 14-7.

Foxboro came back and converted a long fourth down deep in Canton territory and later cashed in on a seven-yard screen pass to tie the score with 1:25 left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs then mounted a drive but fumbled the ball away at the Foxboro 38-yard line. Howard then sped to a touchdown to give Foxboro a 21-14 lead with 10:50 left in the game.

The Bulldogs never gave up and an electrifying kickoff return by Camacho, a rushing touchdown by Flavin, and a two-point conversion by Camacho made it a one-score game at 28-22 with 1:50 remaining.

Canton tried an onside kick, but the Warriors fell on the ball and ran out the clock to seal the victory.

Leading the team in tackles were linebackers Matt Bagley and Justin Rudy, each with nine, and Brian Hagan with eight. The Bulldog offense only mustered 134 yards on the ground and a well-executed 35-yard screen pass from Flavin to Green.

Canton now prepares for an away game against North Attleboro (5-3) at Community Field this Friday at 7 p.m.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Nov 1 2012. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.