The Canton Modified football team wanted to dedicate their last home game of the season to Breast Cancer Awareness. The Bears showed their support for the fighters, admired the survivors, and honored the taken, while proudly wearing their pink gear. The team motto for this week was ‘Stronger Together.’
Daniel O’Neil connected to Daniel Richardson three times for a Golden Bear touchdown. O’Neil fired the ball to three other Bears for key first downs. O’Neil threw for 95 yards and went 12/16 on the day and tallied three passing touchdowns. O’Neil’s Stellar performance earned him The Bill Porter Offensive Player of the Game Award. Kolby Todd, Parker Hurlbut, and Owen Clifford helped contribute to the offense for the Bears. Hurlbut’s outstanding performance earned him The Coaches Player of the Game Award. Key blocks from Noah Friot, Ian Thrasher, Ayden Ashlaw, Murphy Burke, and Landon Bice would allow Richardson to dash for a game high of 195 yards and collect all three touchdowns for the Bears. Richardson’s leadership and determination earned him The Corey Maxner Player of the Game Award. Thrasher capitalized on all the extra point opportunities, including a barefoot kick for two points at the end of the game. Thrasher’s performance earned him The Coaches Player of the Game Award.
On Defense, Ryan Faunce led the Bears in tackles racking up 12 tackles and shut down the Wildcats pass game. Later, Faunce would be tagged The Tim Olmstead Defensive Player of the Game. Faunce was followed by Friot, Gabriel Kellogg, Ben Kenna, Thrasher, and Richardson. Friot, who has consistently been a problem for Offenses and Defenses around the section, tallied six sacks and earn The Troy Miller Lineman of the Game Award. Ethan Foster, Thomas O’Brien, Logan Stiles, Skyler Garrisi, Landon Perry, Ryan Mitchell, Blake Woods, and Trenton Smith contributed to the Golden Bears Defense.
With five seconds left in the fourth quarter, O’Neil found Richardson deep to bring the Bears within six points. Thrasher kicked for two points; however, the Bears efforts were not enough to complete the comeback as they ran out of time. The Wildcats go on to win 27-23 Thursday evening in Canton.
Breast- Cancer Awareness Game Awards
Daniel Richardson #23- Corey Maxner Player of the Game
Daniel O’Neil #11- Bill Porter Offensive Player of the Game
Ryan Faunce #7- Tim Olmstead Defensive Player of the Game
Noah Friot #50- Troy Miller Lineman of the Game
Parker Hurlbut #87- Coaches Player of the Game
Ian Thrasher #42- Coaches Player of the Game
I had the chance to catch up eighth grade Captain Daniel Richardson who was rightfully named The Corey Maxner Player of the Game. Here’s what he had to say about the game.
“We started off slow but picked it up in the second half. Our linemen did a great job in the second half holding their blocks and allowing Daniel O’Neil time to make some great throws. We need to come prepared for our next game on Monday against SLC.”
Richardson was five yards short of 200 rushing yards on the day and was the only Golden Bear to find the end zone.
“These young men wanted to dedicate their last home game of the season to Breast-Cancer Awareness. Some of them shaved their heads and dyed their hair pink for this game,” said Coach Rico Dobbs “This shows us as coaches this was more than just a game. Every year many families are impacted by cancer, and these guys went above and beyond to show support for the cause. I wouldn’t want to coach another group of guys, to say I am proud is an understatement.”
“Definitely not the start we hoped for, but it does make for an exciting finish,” added Coach Grant. “Maybe one of these days we can have another blowout so I don’t have to worry about my blood pressure! Bottom line is it was a fun game, and these guys are playing like a team. We’ve got one more game to go and I hope we make the most of our time together. ”
This post comes courtesy of Kyle Fingar. Photos come courtesy of Amy Hunt.
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Please pass this on to Tom Coakley. His Stlawu email address was not recognized…
Hey Tom –
Don’t forget your brother and his teammates who went to Lake Placid in 1968, after the bus broke down at Seveys Corners, and beat LP 3-2 to win the league. It was a big deal, at least for us!
Still recall a bunch of us, but I was on the very young side, skating on the marsh east of Farmer street. Also the outdoor rinks with lights at the old middle school where the fire department came in each night with a pumper to resurface. Ray Dutcher
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