CHS football team falls to Milford, rival Stoughton

Seniors Jahron Reynolds and Sterlin Garvin (Mike Barucci photo)

Update: The Canton High School football team played three outstanding quarters against rival Stoughton Friday night, but it all unraveled in the fourth as the Black Knights scored 21 unanswered points to stun the Bulldogs 28-25 on their home turf. The loss drops Canton to 3-2 while Stoughton stays undefeated at 5-0. See next week’s Citizen for complete coverage of the Canton-Stoughton game and a look at the Bulldogs’ remaining schedule.

This time it counts — not for bragging rights on Thanksgiving Day, but for the first time in the modern era, the Canton Bulldogs will be facing the Stoughton Black Knights with a potential playoff berth on the line. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 10, at Canton’s Memorial Field. The same two teams will then play again in Stoughton for the annual Thanksgiving matchup.

Both teams enter Friday’s game with excellent records. Stoughton is 4-0, coming off last week’s 40-19 win over Oliver Ames, while Canton is 3-1 after losing to a tough Milford squad 31-23 last Thursday night in Milford.

While the game Friday night does not determine the Davenport Division champion, the winner will have an upper hand in seeding for the playoffs.

Last week, the Bulldogs found a tough foe in Milford in what turned out to be a back-and-forth affair. Canton almost pulled even with the Hawks with about two minutes to go, but a Canton player was hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty, causing the extra point attempt to be moved from its usual seven-yard starting point to the 17-yard line, and Canton could not convert. The Bulldogs went on to attempt an onside kick, but it was recovered by the Scarlet Hawks. One big rushing play (33 yards) resulted in an additional Milford score, which cinched the victory.

“No doubt we were all disheartened by this loss,” said head coach Dave Bohane. “Overall, I would say we lacked composure and discipline. All of us have to tighten up, but we have great kids. We believe in ourselves, and all of us believe we can play with anyone.

“There are lessons to be learned from this game: play hard for the entire game, stay within yourself, play with discipline and composure. We can fix these things.”

The Bulldogs found a new weapon in Anthony Ross, who not only threw a 24-yard halfback pass for a touchdown, but scored on a 54-yard reception from quarterback Brian Hagan to cut the deficit to one point late in the game. Ross had 150 yards receiving in his position as a hybrid running back/split end. He also had six tackles and recovered two fumbles. “Anthony is a serious weapon for us,” said Bohane.

Canton led at the half 14-3 thanks to Ross’s touchdown pass to Jahron Reynolds. The Bulldogs’ next touchdown was set up by a 57-yard interception return by Derrick Harris. Ross then made a huge catch at the Milford four-yard line with three seconds left, and Reynolds ran it in on the next play. “I thought we were in good shape coming out of the half if we made the right adjustments and didn’t allow them momentum to get back in the game,” said Bohane.

Milford changed quarterbacks after halftime and scored on a 57-yard touchdown play, bringing the Hawks back to within four. Milford then scored on a 25-yard rushing play as the third quarter ended to take a 17-14 lead.

Bulldog kicker Thomas Monagle tied the game at 17-17 as he booted a 22-yard field goal through the uprights. Ross caught the 54-yard touchdown with 2:12 left in the game to bring the Bulldogs to within a point.

Overall, Bohane said the game was largely decided in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Hawks ran for 247 yards while Canton rushed for 129 yards. Canton had 325 yards of offense and 196 through the air. Hagan was the team’s leading rusher with 64 yards. Defensively, Jake Ragusa had 11 tackles while James Bourikas added seven tackles.

Bohane said Milford was a good example of the caliber of play they can expect from the Black Knights. With Pop Warner Night also set for Friday night, Bohane said the “atmosphere will be electric.”

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Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 9 2014. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.