Bulldog football kicks off new season with high hopes

The CHS offense looks primed for a strong season with Johnny Hagan under center

Update: The Bulldogs looked to be in mid-season form Friday night as they opened the 2019 campaign with a 28-7 win over Dighton-Rehoboth at home. Check out the next edition of the Citizen for photos and more coverage of the game.

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With at least seven starters on offense and defense returning from last year’s Division 5 south finalist squad, the CHS varsity football team enters the fall campaign with high hopes for a return visit to the MIAA playoffs and a second straight Davenport Division title.

The Bulldogs kick off the season this Friday night at 7 p.m. at home against Dighton-Rehoboth, which reached the Division 4 Super Bowl last year. The game is a rematch of last year’s opener in Dighton, where the Bulldogs came from behind to beat the Falcons 25-20.

Canton will also face another nonleague rematch in week two with Bellingham coming to town on September 13. The Bulldogs opened last season with both games on the road and this year play both at home as part of a two-year scheduling agreement with the schools.

Canton will also host division games this season against Stoughton (twice), Foxboro and Milford with its two road games coming in October against North Attleboro and Sharon. The Bulldogs play Stoughton twice at home because the Black Knights’ field is under construction and it is Canton’s year to host the traditional Thanksgiving game. The Bulldogs’ entry into the MIAA playoffs will be determined by its overall record as of October 25.

Head coach Dave Bohane said his team played well in preseason games against Mansfield and Tantasqua Regional High School and avoided any major injuries.

Canton will have five captains this year, all of whom will play a part on both sides of the ball. They are Johnny Hagan, Kyle Fitzgerald, Jack Connolly, James Murphy and Lucas Bryant.

Hagan returns at quarterback while Fitzgerald will anchor a talented backfield that also features Gersom Rivera and Cam Sanchez. Hagan, who threw for 854 yards last season, will look to receiver-tight end Jace Emma and receiver David Allen as his passing targets in addition to the running backs.

On defense the team goes into the season with tremendous talent and experience, led by an excellent linebacking corps and a stout defensive line with several players topping 300 pounds. “No doubt we are going to be tough to run on,” Bohane said.

On the other side of the line, Bohane is excited about his offensive linemen, who he said can pass and run block quite well. Top linemen include Jack Connolly and Matt Connolly, Bryant, Derrell Brown and Carson Campbell.

Promising new players who have shined in the preseason include juniors Jack Albert (halfback and outside linebacker), Campbell and Brandon Barton (OL), and junior quarterback Anthony Botelho.

Asked to identify the traits of his football team, Bohane said, “We are a bunch of mature, tough football players who love to compete. We have experience in a lot of positions.”

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Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 7 2019. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.