Historic rivalry resumes as Bulldogs visit Stoughton

As life continues to approach a level of pre-pandemic normalcy, a historic rivalry will be reborn as Canton High travels to Stoughton tomorrow morning for their 95th Thanksgiving Day meeting at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Last year, there were no high school football games played in Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day due to COVID restrictions. Instead, football returned in the early spring as part of a temporary “Fall 2” season and Stoughton prevailed 41-7 in the season finale on a cold, blustery Thursday morning during April vacation week.

Senior captain Billy DeLello (Mike Tureski photo)

The Black Knights last hosted a Thanksgiving Day game in 2016 as they made three consecutive trips to Canton while awaiting the completion of their home stadium — losing two of three during that stretch (2017 and 2019).

Tomorrow’s game marks the first and only meeting between the two schools this season and Stoughton (4-6) looks to be the favorite on paper with twice as many wins as Canton (2-7) and a berth in this year’s MIAA Division 3 playoffs. (The Knights, seeded 13th in the 16-team field, would go on to lose to No. 4 Plymouth South 17-0 in the tournament opener.)

Stoughton comes in as the higher scoring team with 180 points in 10 games compared to 109 points in nine games for Canton. The Bulldogs, however, have been stingier on defense, albeit against some lighter opponents, with 21 points allowed per game compared to 24.4 surrendered by their rivals.

Besides its Davenport Division schedule, Stoughton has played a significantly tougher slate of opponents, including playoff teams Braintree (D1), Brockton (D1), Mansfield (D2), Milford (D2), Norwood (D3) and Middleboro (D4). Against three common opponents, both teams were easily beaten by Foxboro and North Attleboro; however, the Knights beat Oliver Ames 35-7 while the Bulldogs fell to the Tigers 12-7.

Canton, however, has shown its potential in road wins over Dedham (5-5) and Blue Hills Regional (9-2), led by a strong, persistent defense and a steady rushing attack.

CHS head coach Anthony Fallon envisions a fierce battle between two tough football teams. Both squads like to push the running game while not throwing too much.

“I think we are two pretty good, even teams,” said Fallon. “Stoughton, like previous [Black Knight] teams, is tough, tackles well and runs the ball well. For us, our defense has played well and keeps getting better. We have a good, solid rotation with more kids playing and getting better. The question is on offense. Can we limit our mistakes and turnovers? I think if we cut down on our mistakes, we will be right in this one to the end.”

The CHS coaching staff will continue its annual tradition of picking a player to wear No. 27 in honor of former Bulldog legend Ricky Shannon, who died in a house fire in 2008. The coaches choose a player who best exemplifies the competitive, team-first spirit shown by Shannon and the selection will be announced prior to Thursday’s game.

One new addition to the captains’ circle is senior Billy DeLello, whose play at wide receiver and in the defensive backfield has impressed coaches. He now joins fellow senior captains Bahsor Mahn, Andrew Butler, Vinny O’Brien, and Colin Albert for their final game in a Bulldog uniform.

“Billy has shown outstanding leadership qualities and we noticed every time we needed something, Billy has come through,” said Fallon. “He has filled so many roles such as wide receiver, safety, cornerback etc.,” said Fallon.

In another Canton/Stoughton tradition, senior girls from both rival schools will square off in the annual Powder Puff game on Wednesday (today) at 1 p.m. at CHS Memorial Field.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Nov 24 2021. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.