Bulldogs’ comeback halted by lightning, curfew
By Mike Berger
Domenic Bires and Matt Bagley celebrate a big play on defense. (Mike Barucci photo)
The 2012 football season got off to an unusual start for the Canton High Bulldogs as the team’s home opener was suspended with just under six minutes remaining before halftime and Canton leading Dennis-Yarmouth 14-12.
A lightning storm forced both teams off the field and led to a lengthy delay, and the game was never resumed as it would have gone well past the 8 p.m. curfew imposed by the superintendent because of the recent mosquito threat.
Whether the game is ever resumed is up to both schools’ athletic directors and head football coaches. The Bulldogs have a bye on October 19, but whether D-Y wants to make the 90-minute trip to Canton to play a half of football is unclear.
The good news for Canton is that it was able to erase a 12-0 deficit to forge ahead 14-12. The Bulldogs’ first score came on a 42-yard pass and catch from quarterback Ian Flavin to receiver Elias Camacho.
After recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, the Bulldogs drove to the D-Y three-yard line behind several strong runs by Shane Nordgren and a swing pass from Flavin to Camacho. Dexter Green then capped it off with a touchdown run and a two-point conversion, aided by the excellent blocking of offensive linemen Tommy Glynn, Justin Rudy, Peter Sheehan, Conor O’Brien, and Ryan Dwyer.
On the next play, the Dolphin kick returner eluded several Canton tacklers and broke free for an apparent touchdown. But the score was called back for a blatant personal foul on a D-Y player.
Lightning continued to appear in the distance, and the referees called both teams off the field and moved the fans out of the stands. Fans waited until around 7:30 p.m., when the game was officially suspended.
Canton had an earlier score called back when Green, defending a pass catch, regained a fumble and sped nearly 75 yards up the sideline for an apparent touchdown. But the score was nullified by a peel-back block called on a Canton player.
Dennis-Yarmouth, last year’s Division 2 Super Bowl winner, took advantage of the Canton secondary to score two long touchdowns early in the game. CHS head coach Dave Bohane said the touchdowns were caused by a combination of coach and player mistakes on coverage responsibility.
“The bad news is that we had two mental lapses and it hurt us,” Bohane said. “The good news is that we showed a lot of character against a tough team, worked hard, and went ahead. We will build on the good things, learn from our mistakes and go forward.”
O’Brien, Rudy, and Sir D’Wayne Reid were impressive on defense, and the offense got going in the second quarter led by the receiving and running of Camacho, and the rushing of Green and Nordgren. Flavin played well at quarterback, showing good form on the long pass to Camacho and showed some good running moves on a QB keeper play.
Canton’s next game is tomorrow night against Quincy at Veterans Stadium. Canton beat the Presidents last year 26-12 with a big rushing game from Green. Quincy will attempt to counter with all-league running back Jalen Green.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=16052
Posted by Mike Berger
on Sep 13 2012. Filed under High School, Sports.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
