Canton has opportunity to win a league title, earn a state playoff berth

Canton defensive lineman Pearse Walsh (70) and linebacker Henry Bonini (7).

After seven games, the possibilities lie ahead of the Canton High football team.

For the first time in 46 years, the Warriors have a legitimate shot to win a league championship. And they have an opportunity to play in the state playoffs for the first time. But three things have to happen.

• Stay healthy and avoid crucial injuries. Most players play on both sides of the ball.
• Don’t look ahead. If they do, they’ll stumble and their dreams will be dashed.
• Keep winning.

It’s a challenging slate ahead for Canton (6-1, 6-0 Pequot Uncas) as they enter the final month of the regular season.

Canton plays its final road game Saturday at 1 p.m., against Gilbert/Northwestern, which went to the Class M playoffs a year ago. Canton hosts an athletic Hyde-New Haven team on Saturday, Nov. 8 before hosting Avon for the final time on Nov. 15. The Warriors close out the season on Thanksgiving morning against Granby in the battle for the old red milk jug.

Canton’s last football pennant came in 1958 when they went 5-0 to win the North Central League, beating Berlin, Gilbert, Farmington, Housatonic and Simsbury. If Canton can beat Gilbert/Northwestern, Avon and Granby in the next four weeks, the Warriors could be Pequot Uncas champions.

Canton has built its success this year on a strong running attack, fueled by an outstanding offensive line and some quick backs in Cam Daley (11 TDs), Sebby Gumbs and Henry Bonini along with hard-nosed back Dan Delos (12 TDs). Its defense creates turnovers (8 interceptions, 9 fumble recoveries) and has played with discipline for most of the season. They did break down in the second half against a big and quick Morgan team two weeks ago in a 31-7 loss.

There are no cupcakes left on the schedule and Canton will be pushed in its final four regular season contests. Gilbert/Northwestern (4-3, 4-2 Pequot Uncas) is a hard-hitting team with an outstanding back in senior running back Paxton Jackson.

In Avon (5-2, 5-1 Pequot Uncas), quarterback Ian McDonald has returned to the lineup after missing four games with an injured hand. He gives the Falcons a dynamic presence in the backfield with his outstanding running talents and his ability to throw the ball. And the Falcons haven’t forgotten last September’s 16-13 loss to the Warriors on opening day on the final play of the game that essentially kept them home from the playoffs.

Granby (5-2, 4-2 Pequot Uncas) has two outstanding running backs in Connor Field, who rushed for 300 yards or more in four consecutive games, and quarterback Dom Pagano, who ran for a 1,000 yards a year ago as a sophomore.

Canton also has an opportunity to participate in the Class S playoffs for the first time – if they can continue to win. The top eight teams in the CIAC rankings qualify. The Warriors were ranked No. 1 in the Class S rankings before losing their first game of the season to Morgan, 31-7. Four wins will put Canton into the playoffs. Three wins will have the Warriors counting bonus points to see if they could qualify.

In Class S, like the other three classes, the eight qualifiers will be split up into two four-team divisions based on enrollment. Semifinal games will be Saturday, Dec. 6 with a championship game on Friday, Dec. 13 or Saturday, Dec. 14.

Among the top 10 ranked teams in Class S on Monday, Canton was ranked No. 7 in enrollment and it’s a little early to be projecting who might face each other. However, Morgan (6-1), North Branford (5-1) and Coginchaug (6-1) are each very close to Canton in enrollment and would probably be in Canton’s four-team tournament along with Capital Prep/Achievement from Hartford, Derby and Northwest Catholic in West Hartford.

Canton coach Paul Philippon doesn’t speculate on upcoming games and/or possibilities. He and his staff zero in on their next opponent.

The march to the playoffs and a league title continues Saturday at Van Why Field in Winsted against Gilbert/Northwestern.