Under the lights on Friday night, Canton 8, Potsdam 6
On a cold and windy Friday night in Potsdam the Golden Bears traveled to play against the Sandstoners. As both teams went into the game 1-3 in league play and just one team left to play each, the contest between the Bears and the Stoners had major playoff implications.
On the Bears’ first drive of the game, Senior Quarterback David Zuhlsdorf passed for 47 yards but the Bears inability to run the ball hindered them from scoring and the drive resulted in a turnover on downs on the Potsdam 21-yard line. At the end of the first quarter, neither team had scored or touched the other’s red zone.
The Sandstoners were the first to score. With 8:44 left in the second, Bears sophomore Connor Clifford fumbled in the backfield and the ball was scooped up by Potsdam Linebacker Brodey Hughes who returned the ball for a touchdown. On Potsdam’s two point attempt, they handed the ball to Hughes who was stopped short of the goal line keeping the score at 6-0 Sandstoners.
Throughout the rest of the game, neither team had much success offensively until the Bears made an eight play, 55 yard touchdown drive. The drive started on the Bears own 45-yard line and after gaining eight yards, the Bears were forced into fourth down with two yards to gain. Bears play caller Bill Porter decided to fake a punt and it worked to perfection. After a direct snap to David Zuhsldorf, the ball was handed to Connor Clifford who ran the ball for 30 yards into the Potsdam red zone. With 8:12 on the clock David Zuhlsdorf scrambled out of the pocket to his left and made a spectacular throw while being tackled to sophomore receiver Charlie Todd in the end zone, tying the game at six. The Bears decided to go for the two point conversion and take the lead. Once again rolling out to his left Zuhlsdorf found a wide open Todd in the end zone to give the Bears an 8-6 lead.
The Bears then proceeded to play lock down defense led by Senior James Bailey and Junior Caleb Murcray who made a crucial sack and multiple tackles. Bailey finished the game with 12 total tackles. Murcray had 11 tackles himself with two behind the line of scrimmage.
The Bear will play next on Saturday in an 8-man matchup against Tupper Lake. Kickoff is at noon.
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