Bagley leaves mark on CHS football program

By Mike Berger

When the Canton High School Bulldogs take the field tomorrow morning against rival Stoughton in the annual Thanksgiving Day game, it will be hard not to root for CHS senior captain Matt Bagley — a leader and an inspiration both on and off the gridiron.

Matt Bagley with his mother, Margaret

“Matt Bagley is a special person who has left an indelible mark on the Canton High School community,” said head football coach Dave Bohane. “As a coach, I will use his legacy to help future athletes overcome adversity and be actively involved in the community.”

Bagley lost his grandmother, Patricia Bagley, the day that Canton played Stoughton earlier this season. In 2011, his father, Gerald, passed away after a battle with brain cancer. But Bagley refused to feel sorry for himself and worked harder to become a good student, football player and captain, and help out in the Canton community and beyond through numerous charitable efforts.

“I just didn’t want to give up,” he said. “I just wanted to be the best person I could be.”

Bagley, according to Coach Bohane, has a special relationship with his mother, Margaret, and sister Mairead, a recent CHS graduate and former track team member. Bohane said Bagley takes his role in their household very seriously, helping his mother out in any way he can while even working at various part-time jobs in his limited spare time.

On the football field, Bagley has distinguished himself as a fine leader, according to Bohane. He was the first junior in the history of CHS football to be voted team captain and is one of the most respected and admired players on the team. He is also a talented lacrosse player and was named a captain in that sport for the upcoming spring season.

Besides football and lacrosse, Bagley has run track and wrestled and has also been active in various community service projects.

“In my 22 years of teaching and coaching, I have never had a player as involved in the community as Matt Bagley,” said Bohane, adding that “Matt’s desire to be involved in St. Gerard youth ministries was instilled in him by his parents and sister, and it is a family tradition he proudly and tirelessly continues.”

Bagley has volunteered at the Hope House for mentally and physically disabled people; volunteered for the local Jr. Catholic Youth Organization (CYO); helped to serve food to the homeless; worked at Kids Camp; participated in outreach trips to Louisiana and Springfield (MA); worked at senior Bingo events; and volunteered at a youth lacrosse camp. He has also worked at Suffolk Grille, Kelly’s Place, and John Dolan Flooring.

On the field, one will see Bagley involved in almost every play. He is one of the team leaders in tackles, contributing on special teams as well as at linebacker and defensive lineman. On offense, he is a strong, consistent inside rusher who can occasionally pick up big chunks of yardage.

Bagley has loved football since his earliest years in the Canton Pop Warner program. He started as a lineman, and the experience has helped him as a rusher since he understands offensive formations and blocking assignments.

As he slimmed down in weight, Bagley began to want to carry the ball and became a valuable two-way player. “Offensively, he has shown strength, durability and from day one he has shown what a player he can be,” said Bohane. “If need be, he could punt, kick and even return punts and kickoffs.”

As for tomorrow’s big game, Bagley said he will remind the younger players what a special feeling it was to beat a tough team on the road last season and to bring home the “cup” to Canton.

“Last year’s win was one of the best days of my life, to win that game in overtime,” he said. “This [year’s] game is different. We have a lot of respect for them and they have a lot of respect for us. We know each other pretty well. It’s going to be a great game for us and the fans.”

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