Bulldogs ground and pound Falcons for opening win

Matt Connolly and the Bulldogs controlled both sides of the line vs. D-R. (Cynthia Rosina photo)

With a smothering defense and a dominating, run-control offense, the CHS varsity football team debuted Friday night with a convincing 28-7 home win over Dighton-Rehoboth.

Canton never trailed in the contest as they opened a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter and scored twice more after halftime — leading 28-0 at one point before D-R recorded a late score in the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs’ second unit.

Senior running back Kyle Fitzgerald was an all-around force for the host team in his three quarters of action, amassing 90 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 10 yards, broke up two passes in the defensive secondary, and gained good yardage on several kickoff and punt returns.

The Canton running attack accounted for 246 yards of offense with several different backs sharing in the action, including junior Cam Sanchez (51 yds.), junior Jack Albert (29 yds.), and senior Gersom Rivera (28 yds./TD).

Senior quarterback Johnny Hagan added 48 yards on the ground and connected on five of 11 passes for 66 yards, including a wide-open completion to senior receiver David Allen for a 30-yard touchdown and another 20-yard connection. He was also intercepted once.

Opening up the holes with big blocks were linemen Jack Connolly, Matt Connolly, Lucas Bryant, Brandon Baron and Derrell Brown.

Equally impressive was the defense, which limited the Falcons to just a handful of first downs and did not allow them to cross midfield until the latter stages of the game.

Seventeen different players made a tackle and four players had at least five, including Jack Connolly, James Murphy, Robbie Gallery, and Lucas Ragusa. Two linemen, Jack Connolly and Nnamdi Onyemelukwe, recorded sacks.

The Bulldogs did have some problem areas, including two fumbles and five penalties which stymied several drives deep into Falcon territory.

For the team’s first outing of the season, head coach Dave Bohane said he was generally pleased, noting that the defense looked to be further ahead of the offense. However, he said, “You could see the potential of our big linemen and the potential of the offense. On defense our strength, toughness and experienced showed through.”

In other news from Friday’s game:

* CHS Athletic Director said the renovation to the opponent’s bleachers will take a few weeks to be completed. Visitors and the D-R cheerleaders were asked to come to the home side of the field.

* Prior to the game, the Bulldogs held a moment of silence to remember the passing of former CHS Athletic Director Stan Masalsky and local philanthropist Don Rodman. Erickson said their work supporting children will be felt for years to come.

* Canton’s upcoming home game against Bellingham will start at 7:30 p.m. This will be the annual Cravens game in memory of Bill Cravens Sr. and Billy Cravens Jr., a former standout player for the Bulldogs and Recreation Department employee who passed away in 2014 due to complications from ALS. The late Bill Cravens Sr. was remembered as a Bulldog superfan and has a special seat in the stands dedicated in his honor. Rose Cravens, Billy Jr.’s wife, will serve as honorary captain for Friday’s game and niece Jamie Piro will sing the national anthem.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 13 2019. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.