T-Day streak on the line as Dogs prep for rival Stoughton
By Mike Berger
Juniors JT Norton and Nick Crowe anchor a high-powered offense for the Bulldogs. (Mike Tureski photo)
The CHS football Bulldogs (6-4) hope to keep their Thanksgiving winning streak going as they prepare to do battle with rival Stoughton (1-9) on Thursday, November 28, at 10 a.m. at Canton High’s WWII Veterans’ Memorial Field.
Last year, the Bulldogs shut out the Black Knights 19-0 at SHS, and the year before that Canton won convincingly on its home turf 28-14. A win on Thursday would make it three in a row for Canton — a feat last accomplished more than 30 years ago, when the Bulldogs strung together nine straight victories (1983-91).
Since that streak ended, Stoughton has largely dominated the series, including a stretch where the Knights won 11 of 12 (2005-16), although Canton has since regained some ground with wins in four of the last six meetings (excluding 2020 due to COVID). Thursday’s game will mark the 98th meeting of the two rival schools, with Stoughton currently holding a 49-44-4 edge in the all-time series.
In last year’s game, the Canton defense was excellent, allowing only three drives of 25 yards or more. The Bulldogs had four sacks on the day, including two by Effrem Gnepo and one each by Nicholas Crowe and Thomas Rose. Luke Laguerre was also able to get consistent pressure, and the Canton secondary held up well with strong performances from Kareem Chaplin, Aaron Wong and Jaylen Thompson.
The difference this year may be Canton’s dominance on offense. Stoughton has scored only 84 points all season while the Bulldogs have racked up more than three times as many (275 pts). On defense, the Black Knights have given up 291 points while the Bulldogs have allowed 220.
Bulldog quarterback JT Norton’s talent in passing and leading the offense is quite evident. He is currently tied for second in the Hockomock League with 11 passing touchdowns while adding three more scores with his legs. Norton also has several weapons with running backs Crowe and Chaplin and a fleet of receivers, including Tyler Kelly, Thompson, Crowe, Dillon Albert and Gavin Pushard.
The one player who could hurt Stoughton in many ways is Chaplin, who has proven he can score from any point of the field, including on kickoffs and punt returns and as a ball hawk in the defensive secondary.
Despite a disappointing, 30-27 loss to Duxbury last week in the Division 4 state playoffs, CHS head coach Anthony Fallon is not worried about a letdown. “We have consistently battled back from adversity,” he said. “We have a very resilient team, and Thanksgiving has and will mean a lot to us. But everyone enters Thanksgiving Day at 0-0 and we have to finish strong.”
Fallon said Stoughton is a tough team that battles hard and has had some close games against some very competitive teams. The Knights come into the game with a 1-9 mark, with their only victory coming against winless Sharon 41-0. Stoughton’s losses have come against Norwood, Attleboro, Somerset-Berkley, Hingham, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Foxboro, Oliver Ames, and Whitman-Hanson.
The Bulldogs were due to decide on Tuesday which CHS player will wear the No. 27 jersey in memory of the late Ricky Shannon. This has become an annual tradition in which the team honors a player who exemplifies the play, teamwork, and character of the former Bulldog legend, who passed away in a house fire in 2008.
Thursday’s game will be the final one in a Bulldog uniform for 15 seniors, including Dan Albert, Dillon Albert, Correns Alix, Seamus Brown, Chaplin, Kelly, Gnepo, Laguerre, Alyssa Malafronte, Jimmy Podgurski, Luke Richards, Nessiah St. Juste, Thompson, Omari Valeur, and Wong.
Tickets for the event are digital only and can be purchased via the Tickets link on the CHS Athletics website. Tickets are free for children under 8 and $10 for adults/$6.50 for students and seniors if purchased by November 27. All tickets purchased after November 27 will be $13, and all are encouraged to purchase their tickets prior to arriving at the gate to avoid a long wait. No booster passes will be accepted.
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Posted by Mike Berger
on Nov 27 2024. Filed under Top Stories.
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