Canton Football Aims to Snap Thanksgiving Day Losing Streak

For the team, the 2010 season has emerged as a long and arduous one. After enduring tough losses along the way, the Bulldogs are hoping to taste their first victory of a rebuilding campaign in Thursday's 84th  annual Thanksgiving Day showdown against arch-rivals Stoughton.

The Bulldogs, who've struggled though a 0-9-1 campaign, have no doubt suffered their share of injuries, while working in some underclassmen along the way.

Not only are the Bulldogs hoping to snap a prolonged win-less streak, but they're hoping to put a stop to a five-game Thanksgiving Day losing streak to the Black Knights.

In last year's showdown, the Bulldogs succumbed to a tough 35-0 shutout loss. Currently, the Black Knights lead the series 40-39-4.

"It was 0-0 at the half, and then they (Stoughton) were able to take advantage of some mistakes and get a couple of scores early in the second half,'' Canton High School Football Coach Jim Goff said about last year's loss. "We couldn't find the end zone, and Stoughton came through and made some big plays to put the game away."

Leading the way for the youthful Bulldogs is senior co-captain Anthony LaRose, who has emerged as a solid two-way player. Not only has he developed into a solid tailback, but he is the team's leading tackle at inside linebacker. Other key leaders for the Bulldogs include senior co-captain Matt McLaughlin at outside linebacker and at tight end.

"We're a pretty young team, and we've suffered our share of injuries, but we also have some strong leaders as well,'' Goff said. "We've been in some close games during the course of the season, but for one reason or another we've fallen just short of winning ball games."

Another key senior that's also provided some quality leadership for the Bulldogs has been Matt Nichols, who at defensive end has also been among the team leaders in tackles.

Offensively, the Bulldogs have been victimized by injuries as quarterback Ryan Conrad was sidelined for the season with an injury. In his place has been the serviceable replacement of Josh Matt, who managed to hold his own in a tough 17-14 defeat to Oliver Ames.

"We've really been bit by the injury bug this season, and combined with the youth, we just haven't been able to come up with a lot of wins,'' said Goff. "The guys are putting forth an unbelievable effort, but for one reason or another, things just haven't been able to go our way."

Serving as the leading wideout for the Bulldogs has been Elias Camacho, who's hauled in close to 600 yards.

"He's (Camacho) been pretty much our go to guy all season as a receiver,'' the CHS coach said. "He's got great hands, and he's got a ton of speed."

Manning the line of scrimmage for the Bulldogs has been the junior duo of Brandon Sparks, who's listed at 6-2, 265 along with Devon Costa. Other key contributors at the line include Mike Mitton, Brian Glick along with Tim Crews and George Zanetas.

"Those guys have been pretty much been doing it all year for us at the line on both sides of the ball,'' Coach Goff said. "They've really been able to help stop the run and give the opposing quarterbacks fits. We're going to have our work cut out for us against Stoughton, because they're a big physical team."

While the Bulldogs have been victimized by their share of injuries, the Black Knights have also succumbed to the same fate. In the fourth game of the season ,the Black Knights suffered the loss of senior quarterback Sean O'Malley, who was lost for the season with a broken collarbone.

As for quarterbacks, the Black Knights will use the combination of Dan Eckler and Aaron Calixte. Leading the way at the line of scrimmage will be the group of seniors Aaron Rodriguez at offensive line and tight end followed by Frances Ike, Riordan and Ethan Hoffman and Steve Leoffler.

"We have a pretty physical line of scrimmage, and we have to win the battles up front,'' Stoughton Football Coach Greg Burke said. His team currently stands at 3-7. "The guys have been working hard , and we've been in pretty much every game this season."

At running back for the Black Knights will be senior Travis Demko while wideouts Kevin Linehan and Marcus Middleton will aim to shore up the passing game.

"We know we can't take anything for granted,'' Burke said. "Canton's going to be ready, and they're going to throw everything at us. We have to be ready to play our best game of the season."

With 13 seniors on the team, including just five starters, the CHS Bulldogs are hoping that a win would not only place an encouraging end to a tough season, but also provide some promising hope regarding next year's squad.

"We're hoping we can end the season on a great note,'' CHS Coach Goff said. "We've had a great week of practice and we just want to leave it all out on the field."