Chaplin powers Bulldogs to 3rd straight T-Day win

Senior Kareem Chaplin racked up 3 touchdowns in Canton’s season-ending win. (Mike Tureski photo)

The CHS football Bulldogs wrapped up another winning season (7-4) with a dominant and efficient 34-6 victory over rival Stoughton before a relatively sparse crowd on a rainy Thanksgiving morning last week.

The star of the game was CHS senior captain Kareem Chaplin, who was chosen by his teammates to wear the No. 27 jersey in honor of the late Ricky Shannon. An annual Thanksgiving Day tradition, the jersey is given to a player who exemplifies the play, work ethic and character of the former Bulldog legend who passed away in a house fire in 2008.

Chaplin was all over field in all facets of the game, rushing for over 100 yards with three touchdowns and a two-point conversion, catching a pass for 37 yards, and leading the defense with a team-high eight tackles and a pair of interceptions.

“Kareem is just an amazing football player,” said head coach Anthony Fallon. “There are so many ways he can beat you. I wish we had him for another year.”

Also having a strong game for the Bulldogs was junior Nick Crowe, who amassed 92 yards on the ground with two touchdowns and also played well at linebacker with three tackles.

Canton led from the start of the game, racing out to a 20-0 advantage at the half. Their only blemish was a 57-yard interception return by Stoughton’s Arnold Jackson. Canton only had three penalties for the game, which was quite an improvement over their season average and a point of emphasis for the coaching staff.

The Bulldogs dominated play on the ground, combining for 275 rushing yards behind a powerful offensive line. Quarterback JT Norton added 71 yards through the air, completing four of 10 passes with two interceptions.

The Bulldogs celebrate with the trophy. (Mike Tureski photo)

The Bulldogs were also successful on three two-point conversions, with one each from Chaplin, Brody Baldiga and Gavin Pushard.

Pushard also had a strong game on defense, tying with Aaron Wong for the second most tackles with five apiece. Wong and Dan Albert played well in the secondary, while teammates Chris Pirrera and Thomas Rose both registered sacks.

After the game, Fallon praised his team for overcoming adversity the entire year and never giving up. He credited his younger players for stepping up in place of at least two players who were disciplined for an out-of-school incident a few days before the game.

This was the 98th meeting of the two rivals on Thanksgiving and the third straight win for the Bulldogs. Stoughton now leads the all-time series 49-45-4 and will host the game in 2025.

Joining the regular captains for the pre-game coin toss were several members of the 2014 CHS team, which was the first Canton football team in more than 20 years to win a Hockomock League title. Representing the squad were former Bulldogs Dylan Winchell, Derrick Harris, Anthony Ross, Mac Brown, Kevin Wing and Brian Hagan. Hagan has since returned to help coach the Bulldogs, leading the freshman team this year to an undefeated season.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Dec 6 2024. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.