The Bears opened the game on defense for the first 10-play series, and they came out aggressive from the jump. Kullen Buchardt set the tone early with a five-yard tackle for a loss. The defensive pressure continued with standout plays by Gabe Sogoian, Laden Nolan, Charles Foster, and James Brunet, holding the Huskies in check.
On offense, the second unit wasted no time. Gavin Brown burst through the defense for a 65-yard touchdown run, and on the very next play, Landyn Clifford matched it with a 65-yard score of his own. Brown and Clifford followed up with two more explosive runs of over 30 yards before a five-yard TD by Brown was called back by penalty. Despite that, the Bears finished their 10-play series with two touchdowns.
Canton’s defense remained dominant during Malone’s next series. Troy Zuhlsdorf opened with a 10-yard sack, and the rest of the defense swarmed to the ball, with key tackles from Ian Taylor, Mak Brassard, Owen Buffham, Max TeRiele, and two clutch stops by Avner Jacobs. The Huskies didn’t get close to midfield.
Despite losing starting QB Mak Brassard to injury, Ryder Peets stepped in and led the offense with confidence. The team responded immediately: Max TeRiele broke free for his first touchdown of the season with a 65-yard sideline run. Avner Jacobs followed with back-to-back gains of 33 and 32 yards, capping things off with another TD for the Bears. TeRiele ended the series with a tough, tackle-breaking 35-yard run carrying defenders up the sideline.
The defense kept its foot on the gas. James Brunet, Gabe Sogoian, and Zayden Martin combined for four key tackles to force another turnover on downs.
Gavin Brown struck again on the Bears’ first offensive play of the half, cutting back across the field and taking it 50 yards for his second touchdown of the day.
The Bears’ defense forced another stop, highlighted by tackles for loss from Miles Coakley, Lukas Reynolds, and Avner Jacobs, and capped by Zuhlsdorf’s second sack of the game.
On the very next play, Jacobs took it 54 yards up the middle for yet another Bears touchdown.
The final blows of the game came from Owen Buffham, who had a big tackle for loss, and Kullen Buchardt, who read a swing pass perfectly, intercepted it, and returned it for a pick-six as the final horn sounded.
Special teams also showed resilience. After missing his first two PATs, Owen Buffham bounced back with four straight conversions, adding eight points to the Bears’ total.
Players of the Game
- Troy Zuhlsdorf: 2 sacks
- Kullen Buchardt: 2 total tackles (1 for loss), 1 INT returned for a touchdown
- Ryder Peets: Steadied the offense with 15 passing yards in relief
- Gavin Brown: 148 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 2 tackles
- Avner Jacobs: 109 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 4 total tackles (2 for loss)
