Northern Tier Sports Report

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NTL FOOTBALL: HUDSON WARD LEADS CANTON PAST WYALUSING (2023-09-29)

Northern Tier Sports Report
CANTON — With lead back Michael Davis out Canton needed the next man to step up. That next man was Hudson Ward, and he certainly stepped up, scoring four touchdowns on the day as the Warriors had a happy homecoming, beating Wyalusing 47-14 in NTL football action Friday.

“I’m proud of the way some of these younger guys have stepped up,” said Canton coach Tyler Sechrist. “Some of the guys that have been around have been huge leaders and have played really, really well. “

Hudson Ward finished with 10 carries for 92 yards and three touchdowns while also blocking a punt and returning it for a score.

“I was just trusting our line, and trusting them to do their job, and their blocking assignments,” said Ward. “With Mike going down I had to step up because, obviously, he’s a big machine on offense.”

“He picked it up offensively, and filled that void, offensively, from Michael,” added Sechrist. “Michael is tough, too tough to replace. He’s just strong on both sides of the ball.”

Aydin Holcomb added five carries for 56 yards and a score as Ben Fitch ran the ball nine times for 50 yards and a touchdown. Holden Ward also had a score, running the ball twice for 43 yards.

Fitch was 6-for-8 for 101 yards through the air as Holden Ward had three catches for 56 yards. Holcomb had a 32-yard reception, and Zack Colton had two receptions for 13 yards.

For Wyalusing Casey God had 15 carries for 100 yards with a touchdown, while Ayden Hunsinger had 11 touches for 60 yards. Ethan Vanderpool also had a touchdown run.

Jonathan Earle was 4-for-7 for 30 yards, hitting Dylan Johns four times as he had 30 yards receiving.

“I thought we were ready but we came out totally flat,” said Wyalusing coach Rich Rogers. “We knew, when we were down 14-0, with our type of offense, you’re not coming back in a hurry. And every time we would get some momentum and get moving it there was a holding penalty or something bringing us back. So just try to forget this one as quick as possible and move forward.”

Hudson Ward got the scoring started with a 4-yard touchdown with 7:56 left in the first quarter. Alexis McRoberts added the point after for the 7-0 lead.

Hudson Ward then had his punt block touchdown at the 6:24 mark. McRoberts added the point after for a 14-0 lead.

“I noticed they had a split a little wide,” said Hudson Ward. “I figured I could get through there and make a play. They weren’t really doing anything. I was confused so I just jumped on it.”

In the second quarter Fitch had a 40-yard touchdown run with 4:38 left to play, as McRoberts’ kick made it 21-0.

Hudson Ward then finished off the first half scoring with a 6-yard run with 1:34 on the clock for the 27-0 halftime lead.

In the third Holden Ward started things off with a 38-yard scoring run with 10:23 left to play.

With 5:31 on the clock Holcomb had a 5-yard run, followed by McRoberts’ kick to make it 40-0.

Canton’s final score with 1:19 left in the third as Hudson Ward got a 2-yard run into the end zone. McRoberts’ kick was good for a 47-0 lead.

Wyalusing got two scores in the fourth, the first a God 29-yard touchdown run. Olivia Haley added the point after for a 47-7 score.

Ethan Vanderpool then scored on a 1-yard run with 2:07 left. Haley’s kick made it 47-14.

For the Rams it’s back to the drawing board as they get ready for Wellsboro.

“Back to work Monday, and continue moving forward the rest of the year,” said Rogers.

As for Canton, they’ll look to keep rolling next week at Montgomery for a Saturday day game.

“Football is so important to have players that are selfless and play for each other,” said Sechrist. “That’s been our strength over the last few years, is just being a tight team and not worrying about who gets the stats - just worrying about the win at the end. That’s what we pride ourselves on.”

Canton 47, Wyalusing 14

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

C-Hudson Ward 4-yd TD run (kick good) 7:56

C-Hudson Ward blocked punt recovered for TD (kick good) 6:24

Second Quarter

C-Ben Fitch 40-yd TD run (Kick good) 4:38

C-Hudson Ward 6-yard TD run (kick failed) 1:34

Third Quarter

C-Holden Ward 38-yard TD run (2pt failed) 10:23

C-Aydin Holcomb 5-yard TD run (kick good) 5:31

C-Hudson Ward 2-yard TD run (kick good) 1:19