The Canton Bears Modified Football team opened the season with a strong 24-6 win over Potsdam.
The Bears’ A unit defense set the tone right from the start with a strong effort during the opening 10-play period against the Potsdam offense. Landyn Clifford, Gavin Brown, and Mak Brassard each recorded two tackles, while James Brunet and Connor Hicks added one apiece. Gabe Sogoian stripped the ball from Potsdam to force a fumble, and Landon Nolan recovered it for Canton.
The Bears’ A team offense opened their first 10-play period with a 65 yard touchdown run by Connor Hicks, but unfortunately, the play was called back due to a penalty. After a yard run by Landyn Clifford, Mak Brassard weaved around an unblocked defensive end and took it 60 yards into the end zone, with a key block from Clifford at the 10 yard line. Brassard also connected with Ian Taylor and Gabe Sogoian for a combined 25 yards through the air.
The B team defense took the field to start the second quarter. Dominic Foote and Jackson Dawley each recorded two tackles on the D-line, while Jaxon Shippie and Nolan Archer came up with key tackles for loss to keep the Bears’ momentum going. Jace Chase finished the 10 play period with a pass breakup.
The B team offense opened their possession with a five yard run from Landon Huntley and a four yard run from Zayden Martin. After a penalty pushed the offense back, Nolan Archer found a cutback lane and exploded for a 63 yard run, before getting tripped up at the one yard line. Zayden Martin punched it in from there for the touchdown. On the 10th and final play of the quarter, Ryder Peets connected with Landon Huntley on a short pass that Huntley turned into an explosive 40 yard gain, just missing the end zone.
During the extra halftime period, Miles Coakley, Nolan Archer, Ryder Peets, Hudson Quicke, Christopher “Blaze” Harris, and Ellie Murdock each picked up tackles, while Jackson Dawley and Jeremiah Wilson added two tackles apiece.
Nolan Archer got the Bears started on offense during the extra period with a 49 yard run. Huntley finished the drive with a 19 yard touchdown run of his own. Zayden Martin added 28 more rushing yards before the horn sounded to start the second half.
The A team offense opened the third quarter with a 5 yard rush from Mak Brassard. The Bears continued to move the ball with a 20 yard jump pass from Brassard to Landyn Clifford, followed by a 19 yard Brassard run. Penalties eventually stalled the drive and forced Canton to punt.
The Canton defense came out flying to start the next possession, with Landyn Clifford recording a fiva yard tackle for loss. James Brunet added a tackle, and Mak Brassard came up with a sack to force another punt. The Bears picked up a 20 yard rush from Brassard before the clock expired to end the quarter.
The B team defense continued the strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter, with Jackson Dawley recording two tackles in a row and Gaige Timm adding one of his own. A corner blitz from Xzabier Coffey forced an errant throw, which Jaxon Shippee picked off and took all the way in for a house call! Nolan Archer added a five yard tackle for loss before Shippee came up with his second interception of the quarter, giving the ball right back to the Canton offense.
Nolan Archer added another 20 yards on the ground before penalties once again forced Canton to punt.
The game finished with two tackles each from David TeRiele, Ellie Murdock, and Gaige Timm.
Players of the Game (Left to right in the photo)
Mak Brassard – 45 passing yards, 104 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 3 tackles, and 1 sack.
Gaige Timm – 3 total tackles and stepped in for a sick starter, getting his first career start on the offensive line.
Jaxon Shippee – 2 interceptions, including 1 for a touchdown, along with 1 tackle for loss.
Nolan Archer – 140 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 tackles for loss.