Bulldogs win opener behind ferocious D

Down 14-0 at halftime on the road versus Dighton-Rehoboth, the Canton High football team stormed back with a ferocious defense and an improved offense to come away with a hard-earned, 25-20 win in Friday’s season opener.

Kyle Fitzgerald made an impact on both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs. (Mike Barucci photo)

Senior linebacker Brendan Albert led the way with 10 tackles, a fumble recovery, and two sacks while also helping to block as a tight end in an outstanding two-way performance.

Also aiding in the impressive defensive performance was linebacker James Murphy, who finished with six tackles, and defensive back Kyle Fitzgerald, who had seven tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Fitzgerald also contributed offensively with 27 rushing yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Johnny Hagan executed a revived offense in the second half, rushing himself for 71 yards and lofting a beautiful pass to receiver Jace Emma for Canton’s first points. Running back Gersom Rivera also played an important part on offense, rushing for 90 yards with all of his carries resulting in positive gains.

The Canton comeback was inspired by the defense, which shut down the Falcons’ offense for most of the second half. At least 14 Bulldog defenders assisted on a tackle. Albert, Murphy, and Ben Seaman were constantly in the Falcon backfield either stopping the run or pressuring D-R quarterback Harrison Pray before he was ready to throw.

CHS head coach Dave Bohane said he made some adjustments at halftime but said the comeback was fueled by Canton’s big-time players. “I think nerves on the road in the first game [was a] factor,” he said. “But the kids just dug down deep. We have a good team with good players and the big players came through.”

Bohane said it took a while for the offensive line to get into a rhythm as they were adjusting to new assignments due to the absence of Jack Connolly, who broke his arm in the Norwood scrimmage. Bohane is hopeful that Connolly, who had an operation last week, will be able to return at some point later this season. Improving as a unit in the second half were linemen Matt Connolly, Lucas Bryant, Brendan Baran, George Kent, and Brian Campagna along with Albert at tight end.

The comeback began early in the third quarter with a 43-yard run by Rivera and the Hagan to Emma 24-yard touchdown pass. The score remained at 14-6 until Canton’s first offensive series of the fourth quarter, when Hagan scampered himself for a 30-yard score, hurdling defenders en route to the end zone. Canton missed the two-point conversion attempt and trailed 14-12 with 10:49 left in the game.

A sack by Seaman forced the Falcons to punt from deep in their own territory and a return by Rivera set up the Canton offense at the Falcon 43-yard line. Runs by Hagan, Fitzgerald and Rivera kept the drive going and Rivera capped it off with a three-yard rushing touchdown to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game at 18-14.

Canton would later add to its lead with a five-yard touchdown run by Fitzgerald off of a turnover to make it 25-14. The Falcons did mount a scoring drive to pull them within five with two minutes to go in the game, but the Canton defense thwarted a late drive with a game-sealing interception by Fitzgerald.

The Bulldogs will go on the road again this Saturday to play Bellingham High School starting at 6 p.m. The team’s first home game is not until week five (October 5) versus rival Stoughton.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 14 2018. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.