A new era for CHS football gets underway

Intriguing is the word to describe the opening of the 2011 CHS football season. With former head coach Dave Bohane returning to the helm, a schedule that includes five consecutive home games, and a pair of dynamic all-purpose football players in Elias Camacho and Dexter Green, there will be no shortage of story lines when camp gets underway early next week.

Dave Bohane

Bohane, who teaches physical education at the Hansen School and recently founded the middle school football program, said he is not making any predictions about wins and losses.

“All I want is [that] we are improving every game and playing good, competitive football,” he said.

The Bulldogs were winless last season (0-10-1) under head coach Jim Goff, who resigned in the offseason after leading the program for six years. Bohane was selected as Goff’s replacement by CHS Athletic Director Danny Erickson in early April.

On Monday, August 22, Bohane will welcome approximately 50 players to the program, including four to five veterans on both sides of the ball. Bohane said there are three or four candidates for quarterback and two players in Camacho and Green who can be used in a variety of different positions.

The duo flashed some of their potential in the first half of last year’s Thanksgiving Day game — an eventual 26-6 loss to Stoughton — when Green connected with Camacho on a 35-yard halfback pass. Green, who had not played a single snap prior to Thanksgiving because of a variety of injuries, did a little bit of everything in that game, connecting with Camacho for two deep passes and running the ball for 38 yards. He also fielded punts and kickoffs and saw some time at quarterback.

Bohane said he could envision Camacho as a wide receiver, slot receiver, or a running back. Other key running backs returning this season are Logan Cerrutti and Shane Nordgren.

Summarizing the offense, Bohane said he plans to focus on the fundamentals and simplify the offense for the players.

On defense, the focus will be on team pursuit and gang tackling. With Camacho and Green playing key roles in the defensive backfield, Bohane is counting on veterans Brandyn Sparks and Devin Costa to lead the defensive and offensive lines.

Defense 101: gang tackling

The schedule is unique this year, with the first five games being played at home, beginning Friday, September 9, against nonleague Weston. Canton will then host Quincy, another nonleague opponent, on September 16, followed by games against North Attleboro (Sept. 23), Foxboro (Oct. 1) and Attleboro (Oct. 6). Canton then has nine days to prepare for its first road game of the season — at Sharon on October 15 — followed by away games against Franklin (Oct. 21), Oliver Ames (Nov. 4) and King Philip (Nov. 11). The Bulldogs will end the season at home on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24) against traditional rival Stoughton.

The Bulldogs get a bit of a break this year as they will not have to face perennial league powerhouse Mansfield, which finished atop the Hockomock in 2010 with a record of 12-1. Bohane also likes the fact that there is a two-week break between the Franklin and OA games, giving the team more time to practice and rest.

Assisting Bohane this season will be former CHS athletes Jeff Eckler (defensive coordinator), Anthony Fallon (offensive and defensive line coach and head JV coach), Steve Slavin (running backs and linebackers coach) and Kevin Foley (head freshman coach), who is also a Canton police officer.

Bohane said he will still take an active role in the development of the middle school program, whose new head coach is expected to be announced soon by GMS Athletic Coordinator Bill Bendell.

The Bulldogs will hold an informational meeting for parents and players tonight at 7 p.m. at CHS. Team pictures will be taken tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. and the first practice is Monday at 8:15 a.m. The team will play two scrimmages: one against Dedham on August 30 at 3:30 p.m. and the other at Hanover on September 3 at 10 a.m.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Aug 17 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.