Cam Daley scored three touchdowns in Canton’s 42-6 win over Gilbert/Northwestern Saturday.
WINSTED, Nov. 1 – The Warriors didn’t look sharp at times but they were able to make plenty of big plays as the Canton High football team beat Gilbert/Northwestern for the first time since 2008 with a dominating 42-6 Pequot Uncas victory Saturday at Van Why Field.
Seniors Dan Delos and Cam Daley each ran for three touchdowns as Canton improved to 7-1 overall and 7-0 in the Pequot Uncas Division.
“I thought Gilbert did a good job against us defensively. We weren’t as sharp and crisp as we have been earlier in the year,” Canton coach Paul Philippon said. “But our kids settled down and got into a rhythm. They played hard, as they always do, and we were able to mix up our backs.”
Canton had a 14-point lead after one quarter and a 35-6 lead at halftime.
“We’re trying to be more consistent and play well from the get go,” he said.
Canton has three more regular season games against Hyde, Avon and Granby. And if the Warriors keep winning, there could be a CIAC playoff game. “We’re trying to get as good as we can,” Philippon said. “We could be playing an opponent when we can’t give away a series (of plays).”
Canton got the job done against the Yellowjackets (4-4, 4-3 Pequot Uncas). Daley scored on a 50 yard run and Delos scored on a three-yard run to give Canton a 14-0 lead after one period.
In the second quarter, Daley added touchdown runs of 11 and 1 yard while Delos had a four-yard run late in the second quarter after Daley had raced 64 yards downfield. Delos ran for a career-high 193 yards on 14 carries while Daley rambled for 179 yards on 10 carries.
Defensively, Canton played well. Sebby Gumbs made some critical plays that helped his teammates. Linebacker Henry Bonini had a few big hits because Gumbs forced the ball carrier back inside. Shane Toland (12 tackles, sack) and Caiden Permenter had excellent games, too. The Warriors recovered two fumbles and had four sacks for 29 yards.
Canton has given up just 85 points in seven games – the fewest in the Uncas Division. Only Valley Regional/Old Lyme (42 points) has given up fewer points in the Pequot Conference.
Canton moved up to No. 6 in the CIAC Class S playoff rankings. The top eight teams earn a spot in the playoffs. Canton also kept the lead in the race for the Pequot Uncas Division championship. Ellington/Somers and Avon are both 6-1 in the Uncas Division. Canton concludes play in the Uncas Division by hosting Avon on November 15 and Granby on Thanksgiving morning.
With the victory came some school records. Delos both broke the single season record for touchdowns. A year ago, Delos scored 14 touchdowns and a school record 90 points. Delos has currently scored 15 touchdowns and 96 points. Daley has scored 14 touchdowns and 90 points.
Kicker Eddie Melton was 6-for-6 kicking extra points. Melton has set a new single season mark for extra points (35) and a new mark for most points kicking (35). Melton had 28 extra points and 31 points a year ago.
NOTES: Canton beat the Yellowjackets for just the second time at Van Why Field and the 36-point victory was the largest Warrior victory in the series that began in 1945. … Canton tied a school record for most wins in a single season (7). Under Philippon, Canton has won at lease seven games in three consecutive seasons.
Canton 42, Gilbert/Northwestern 6
At Winsted
Canton (7-1) 14 21 0 7 – 42
Gilbert/NWR (4-4) 0 6 0 0 — 6
First quarter
C: Cam Daly 50 run (Eddie Melton kick), 8:27
C: Dan Delos 3 run (Melton kick), 2:36
Second quarter
C: Daley 1 run (Melton kick), 11:10
C: Daley 11 run (Melton kick), 4:45
G: Paxton Franklin 4 run (kick blocked), 1:19
C: Delos 4 run (Melton kick), 0:51
Fourth quarter
C: Delos 15 run (Melton kick), 11:14
You must be logged in to post a comment Login