NTL FOOTBALL: CANTON ENJOYS ANOTHER WINNING SEASON ON THE GRID IRON (2023-11-23)

Northern Tier Sports Report
Despite several new faces Canton football kept their string of winning seasons going, finishing the 2023 year 8-2 during the regular season. Injuries, as much as anything, kept them from reaching their full potential, with the Warriors fall in the district semifinals.

The Warriors had a dominating first four weeks of the season, three of which were at home. They out scored their opponents 165-19 during that stretch, beating Sayre (42-0), NP-Mansfield (42-13), Wellsboro (41-6), and Towanda (40-0).

They stayed undefeated with a road win at South Williamsport (27-21), but got a little banged up in the process.

Still, it didn’t slow them down much, as they followed that with wins over Wyalusing (47-14), Montgomery (45-12), and Athens (49-19) to run their record to 8-0.

Their first loss came in week nine as they fell to to a tough Milton squad, 14-7, on the road. Injuries began taking their toll by the time they played Troy in the Old Shoe, losing to the league champions 52-0.

In the district semifinals they lost to eventual D4 champions, South Williamsport, 24-18, nearly pulling off the comeback.

Ben Fitch took over the reins at quarterback, and blossomed from the start. He was 71-for-127 for 1,279 yards through the air with nine touchdowns, and a four picks. 

On the ground he led the team with 700 yards rushing on 124 attempts, and was second on the team with nine touchdowns.

Leading the team in rushing touchdowns was Michael Davis, despite missing several games due to injury. He finished with 576 yards rushing on 98 carries.

Hudson Ward was their third leading rusher, with 49 carries for 338 yards and seven touchdowns.

Davis led the team in receiving with 16 catches for 379 yards and three touchdowns. Holden Ward added 339 yards and three scores on 16 grabs, while Aydin Holcomb had 15 receptions for 246 yards and a score.

In her first year as kicker Alexis McRoberts was 32-for-40 on extra points while also hitting a 28-yard field goal.

Hudson Ward led the team on defense with 150 tackles, two sacks, and seven recovered fumbles.

Davis added 50 tackles with a team high seven sacks, while Holden Ward and Holcomb had 48 tackles, apiece. Fitch was fifth on the team in tackles with 47.

This stretches their run of winning seasons to six in a year few expected them to be as competitive as they were. While they didn’t get quite as far as the past couple seasons, this group made a name for themselves in their own right.

Looking ahead they return Fitch, Holcomb, and Holden Ward, but will once again need to bring along a few youngsters as they go for their seventh winning season in a row.

Print Friendly Version