Bulldogs fall to Abington in season opener

The Abington Green Wave, last year’s Division 4 Super Bowl champions and winners of 14 of their last 15 games, scored early and often en route to a 33-14 home win over a very young and inexperienced Canton football team on Thursday afternoon, September 12.

Derrick Harris (pictured above at a youth clinic) led the Bulldogs with almost 100 yards receiving.

Abington jumped out to a 26-0 first-half lead behind sophomore running back Shawn Donovan, who scored three touchdowns in three different ways — one on a long run, another on a 51-yard touchdown pass, and the last one on a 53-yard punt return. The Green Wave added another score just before the half on a three-yard run.

Refusing to quit, the Bulldogs forced and recovered a fumble early in the second half and drove for their first score with quarterback Brian Hagan throwing a 39-yard touchdown pass to receiver Derrick Harris. Canton added its second score on a Sterlin Garvin run from two yards out. Hagan connected with Nick Gustfaston for a two-point conversion play.

“Abington is as good as anyone we will play,” said head coach Dave Bohane after the game. “For a lot of our players, it was their first time playing. So I think once they settled down, they played better. We have a lot of work to do, especially on special teams and in the secondary, but we will improve.”

Defensively, the team gave up 127 yards rushing and 108 yards passing. Canton’s leading tackler was sophomore Joe Bires, who played inside linebacker and had nine tackles and one forced fumble. Outside linebacker Jake Ragusa and defensive tackle Wavoll Prentice added four tackles apiece.

Offensively, Canton picked up momentum in the second half with several sustained drives. The Bulldogs rushed for 137 yards and passed the ball for 97 yards. Hagan, a junior, showed his overall athletic talent as he led the team in rushing with 75 yards. Junior fullback Kevin Wing ran hard for 48 yards, and Harris proved to be a constant threat at receiver, finishing with 94 yards.

The offensive line, although much smaller than Abington’s line, moved the ball well, especially in the second half. The line included seniors Trevor Ruane at center, guards Tommy Glynn and Frankie Powers, and juniors Aaron Faber and James Bourikas.

“The kids made plays and moved the chains,” said Bohane. “We also made some mistakes and there is room for improvement, but the kids worked hard and are excited about playing.”

The Bulldogs’ first home game is tomorrow, September 20, at 7 p.m. against Quincy, which won decisively against Malden Catholic and lost by one point to Braintree (17-16).

“This will be a good test for us,” said Bohane. “I see two evenly matched teams and it should make for a good football game. This is the best Quincy team I have faced in three years.”

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Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 19 2013. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.