Dogs deliver at home

The Bulldogs celebrate after their statement win over the rival Warriors Friday night. (Mike Tureski photo)

Canton football shocks Foxboro behind dominant defense, powerful rushing attack

Amassing nearly 400 yards of offense and with dominant play on the other side of the ball, the CHS football Bulldogs stymied the Foxboro Warriors in a 28-7 rout at home last Friday night.

The upset win brings Canton’s record to 2-3 while dropping Foxboro down to 3-2. It should also boost their standing in the MIAA power rankings, which are used to determine which teams qualify for the playoffs.

Prior to the game, Canton ranked 19th in Division 4 and will need to jump into the top 16 in order to earn their spot in the upcoming state tournament.

An ecstatic head coach Jeff Eckler noted that his team dominated the Warriors on both sides of the line, racing out to a 20-0 advantage after three quarters. Offensively, the Bulldogs rushed for a whopping 356 yards, led by senior co-captain Brody Baldiga, who turned in a career-best performance with 192 yards on the ground, started by an electrifying 80-yard touchdown run on Canton’s first play from scrimmage. Baldiga then added two more touchdown runs of 13 and 14 yards and tacked on a 10-yard two-point conversion for good measure.

Antoine Jamison, who doubles as a receiver and a runner, also topped the century mark with 104 rushing yards. Senior quarterback Dylan Lank also did his part, completing three of four passes for 37 yards while coming up with a key interception on defense in the second half. Senior Gio Thomas Librero also chipped in with a three-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, the Bulldogs were outstanding, shutting down the Warriors’ passing attack until the latter stages of the game. Seventeen Bulldog players had at least one tackle in the game, led by junior Kellen Porter with 10, senior captain Gavin Pushard with eight, and Jamison with seven.

Baldiga’s big run at the start of the game also underscored the impact of the Canton offensive line, who opened huge holes all night behind a group that included Pushard, Arinze Onyemelukwe, Justion Lacey, Noah Laurenco and James Grant McCluney.

Another key play in the game came on special teams early in the third quarter. With the Bulldogs in punt coverage, junior Cooper Millington hit the Foxboro returner hard, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Bulldogs. The fumble recovery ignited the Canton players and the crowd, who spurred on the offense as it marched down the field and into the endzone while chewing up over eight minutes of the game clock.

Eckler also made a point to highlight the play of senior defensive lineman Julian Tavares, who raced to pressure the Foxboro quarterback, leading to the interception that was hauled in by Lank.

Eckler said this team was prepared for the Warriors and had had a great week of practice. “We were pumped for this game,” said the Canton coach. “We last beat Foxboro in 2019 in a playoff game and it meant a lot to the players and the coaches. The opening play on offense started with great running and blocking by Brody and the offensive line. The defense was unbelievable.”

Baldiga gave praise and credit to the offensive line. “The O-line was great,” he said, “not only the first play but throughout the game.”

After the game, Pushard said the win was a big step forward for the team and he praised and appreciated how competitive and physically the team played.’

With some positive momentum on their side, the Bulldogs will now look to keep it going against the 3-2 King Philip Warriors tomorrow night at home beginning at 6 p.m.

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