holds a long and proud tradition. In the late 70s and 80s the Bulldogs dominated most of their opposition and even made Superbowl appearances. In the past decade, the team has had mostly losing seasons, has gone through several coaches and has suffered in the Hockomock League which is one of the toughest in the state.
However, a program’s value cannot just be measured with wins and losses and that is why Canton football is still very-well respected. With obstacles including low numbers, high expenses and such a small school, the football team battles every week to the best of its ability and more importantly, with the respect of its opponents.
This season, there are no guarantees of a Division title or winning record, but there will be some very positive and exciting changes on the field for Canton.
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Former Head Coach Dave Bohane is back on the sidelines to lead the Bulldogs and is very familiar with the players, the town and the program, with little transition time needed. Bohane held the same coaching position from 1994-1998. Bohane teaches Physical Education at the and helped to develop the Middle School Football Program.
“It is important to have quality football at the middle school level if you want to get better at the high school level,” said Bohane. “Hopefully improving a feeder system will begin to pay off with more players trying out in high school. With more and higher quality players, it will lead to more wins.
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The coach said the middle school program will help him keep key players in Canton, playing for CHS.
"The teams we play have these successful feeder systems and it shows," he said.
“We are going to make it simple and not promise anything except to improve every game and play smart and very competitive football,” said Bohane. “We’re going to focus on fundamentals and team play and limiting our mental mistakes.”
The football team has increased in numbers, with close to 30 freshmen and near 50 varsity players suiting up each week.
Canton has a slightly revamped schedule of ten games instead of 11 that includes the first five games at home. The Hockomock League will be split into two separate divisions. In the Kelley-Rex Division (large schools, Division-2) will be defending State Champion and powerhouse Mansfield, along with North Attleboro, Attleboro, King Philip and Franklin. These are all teams that give Canton a very tough matchup and have more size and depth.
However, this season Canton doesn’t play Mansfield and the other four games will not count in the divisional standings. Canton will be in the Davenport Division (small school, Division-3) with Foxboro, Oliver Ames, Sharon and Stoughton, with the winner of this division going on to post-season play.
Canton will host Stoughton and Foxboro and play at OA and Sharon. Canton will have extra time to prepare for Sharon (nine days) and Stoughton (13 days.) After starting the season with five home games, the Bulldogs will play their next four at home and then conclude the regular season, at home with the annual
The other two contests will be non-league, with the season-opener today (Friday, September 9) against Weston and September 16 against Quincy, both at home.
Another promising note to begin the season is the return of many players to the lineup that will help the Bulldogs’ effort. A pair of juniors, Dexter Green and Elias Camacho, will play on both sides of the ball. Both players are very versatile with Green able to play quarterback and halfback and also field punts punts and kickoffs. Camacho has great hands as a receiver or a running back. The running attack will also be aided by the return of senior Logan Cerrutti and junior Shane Nordgren. Nordgren will also see action as a linebacker.
On defense look for senior Brandyn Sparks and senior Devin Costa to join Green and Camacho to create a defensive unit that will combine speed with power. Sparks and Costa are going to be looked at to anchor both the offensive and defensive lines.
A quintet of seniors will also boost the efforts of the Bulldogs. Evan Feldman (halfback and defensive back,) Calvin Winchell (offensive tackle and linebacker,) Anthony Bires (quarterback and safety,) Josh Matt (quarterback and defensive back) and Jakiel Moses-Harris (halfback and linebacker) will all play important roles. Bires will be looked upon to generate a passing game to go along with a solid and deep running attack. Cerutti, Sparks, Matt and Moses-Harris will be the captains.
“We have speed, skill, solid runners, a great attitude, quality leadership and we’re in great condition, but we lack depth (many players playing both offense and defense) and size compared to the other teams in the (Hockomock) League,” said Bohane. “We have to stay away from the mental mistakes and beating ourselves. We looked very good in pre-season scrimmages against Dedham and Hanover. We need to get off to a fast start and build momentum and a winning attitude.”
With a new, but familiar face returning to the helm, a solid group of returning players, a more fitting schedule with a better chance of post-season possibilities and a heart like a lion, along with great administrative and community support, wonderful facilities and a new attitude in the air–don’t count out the Canton High School Football team.
The Bulldogs will continue to climb back up the Hockomock League ladder against very tough competition. It still may be a David versus Goliath story in the league, but the Bulldogs all know who won that one.
