NTL FOOTBALL: CANTON FOOTBALL HAS ANOTHER ONCE IN A LIFETIME RUN (2022-12-08)

Northern Tier Sports Report
It was another dream season for Canton football, as this group of Warriors added even more to their legacy. They went undefeated in the league, they blew through the District IV tournament, and, once again, reached the state semifinals.

Things didn’t quite turn out like they hoped - their 28-21 loss to Steel-High in the last minute of the game was one of the more heartbreaking scenes you’ll find on the gridiron - but they set the bar high, not just for Canton, but for the NTL as a whole.

The Warriors went 9-1 on the season, opening with a road game over four hours away as they defeated Union, 31-18. Union would go on to win the District VII title, and reach the state title game.

Canton’s defense then bared their claws, holding their next four opponents scoreless, as they defeated NP-Mansfield (53-0), Wellsboro (35-0), Towanda (63-0), and South Williamsport (50-0).

Wyalusing ended the streak, though Canton still won handily, 51-13, followed by a 73-6 homecoming win over Montgomery.

The final three weeks of the season were a little tougher, beginning with Athens, and a hard fought 21-0 win over a Wildcat team that reached the District IV, Class AAA semifinals.

Their lone loss was 23-0 to state ranked Jersey Shore, who cruised to the District IV, Class AAAA title.

They retained the Old Shoe, though Troy gave them a fight. Canton would prevail, tough, 28-14.

The Warriors would roll through the district playoffs, beating South Williamsport 42-13, and then crushing Muncy 42-7 in the title game.

They didn’t stop there, getting a measure of redemption as they went back to the site of their state semifinal loss last year - Mansion Park - and posted a resounding 42-13 win over Northern Cambria.

Then, in a back and forth game against Steel-High, they had too many penalties and turnovers to overcome. Their defense shone bright once again, though, as they held the best offensive team in the state for Class A to just one touchdown every 16 offensive snaps.

Steel-High went on to win the state title by a comfortable margin, making the Eastern Regional Final the true title game.

On offense it was a multi-pronged attack for Canton, led by Riley Parker’s 1,453 yards rushing to go with 25 touchdowns. Weston Bellows added 571 yards on the ground with four scores, while Hayden Ward had 433-yards and nine scores. 

It was quarterback by committee, and, somehow, Canton made it work. Austin Allen had the most throws, going 24-for-38 for 352 yards and three touchdowns with two picks.

Bailey Ferguson was 16-for-28 for 252 yards with two scores and two interceptions. Weston Bellows was 4-for-10 for 85 yards with an interception and an interception, while Holden Ward ran the option under center, going 3-for-10 for 41 yards and a score. He also ran for 300 yards and four touchdowns.

Bellows led the team in receiving, with 17 catches for 290 yards and a touchdown, while Hayden Ward and Riley Parker had two receiving touchdowns each.

Ferguson was also a consistent kicker, going 60-for-68 in PAT’s, and 4-for-4 in field goals. Also in special teams Bellows had a kick-off return and punt return for a touchdown.

Defense was their calling, though, led by the Wards. Hudson Ward had 141 tackles and three sacks, while Hayden Ward finished with 109 tackles, and five sacks.

Brenen Taylor added 79 tackles and multiple defensive scores. Lineman Gage Pepper had 52 yards, defensive back Bellows led the team with five picks, and finished with 48 tackles, while defensive end Michael Davis finished with 41 tackles, and three fumble recoveries.

The list goes on and on from there - Mason Nelson on both sides of the line is another - showing not just the talent, but the depth, of the Canton defense.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, they graduate most of those players, with 14 leaving the program after this year. 

This group will go down as one of the best classes in program history, their argument made with two state semifinal appearances, two district titles, and three league championships.

Canton may have other standout years, but they’ll never had a class like these seniors.

The cupboard isn’t bare coming back, though, as they return Hudson Ward, Holden Ward, Davis, and Mason Harold - all four key players to their success this past season.

Sophomore Ben Fitch also looks ready to step into a bigger role, and everybody on the team has gotten a big gulp of what winning tastes like, and there’s no substitute for that.