The Canton High football celebrates after beating Granby Tuesday, 43-13 for a school-record 10th win and a berth in the Class S playoffs.
CANTON, Nov. 25 – Seven years ago, the Canton High football resumed varsity play after a 43-year absence. Four years ago, the Warriors didn’t win a game –going 0-10.
On Tuesday, Canton completed one of the greatest regular seasons in school history. With a dominating 42-13 win over Granby, they won a school record 10th game. Canton went undefeated in the Pequot Conference Uncas Division winning all nine games and claiming its first league championship since 1958. And they clinched their first-ever berth in the CIAC Class S football playoffs.
“We’re so excited to be 10-1,” Delos said. “It’s just awesome. Our freshman year, we were 0-10 but we’ve continued to build up the program.”
Coach Paul Philippon, now in his third year, usually has a razor focus on next week’s opponent. He seldom acknowledges the big picture with the media. “I think I will enjoy this for the first time tonight to be honest,” he said. “There is a certainly finality with the final regular season game. I’ll enjoy this a bit.”
Canton (10-1, 9-0 Uncas Division) will play in the Class S Small Division playoffs on Saturday, Dec. 6. They’ll have some time to heal some injuries and get ready for the state semifinals.
Canton’s swarming defense didn’t give Granby much room to run in Tuesday’s game in Canton.
The Warriors won the same way they have all season long. They were stronger and faster than the opposition. They ran the ball with relentless efficiency.
Sebby Gumbs, who has rushed for 577 yards and seven TDs in the last three games, led the Warriors by running for a game-high 199 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. Dan Delos ran for 123 yards and two TDs on 20 carries. Canton scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to build a 28-0 lead.
“They’re bigger and stronger,” Granby coach Rich Gadoury said. “They came out here and muscled us around. I told my boys to take a look at them. That’s a playoff team.
“They’re a machine. You can tell they’ve been playing together for four years,” he said. “They’re very confident in their ability. They came out here and make their blocks and opened up some holes for their backs.”
Canton took a 6-0 lead on a 34-yard run by Gumbs with 5:39 left in the first quarter. Kicker Eddie Melton, who has set a new single season record for most points by a kicker, hit the upright with the extra point attempt.
The Warriors took control in the second quarter. Delos scored on runs of two and one yard and Gumbs added a 53-yard run. Melton kicked three extra points for a 28-0 lead. Gumbs and Henry Bonini scored in the third quarter for the Warriors.
Connor Field led Granby (7-4, 5-4 Pequot Uncas) with 127 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. The seven wins is a single season school record for the Bears.
Canton’s Dan Delos (34), Cam Daley, Henry Bonini (7) and Shane Toland (58) hoist the old red milk jug which goes to the winner of each year’s Granby and Canton Thanksgiving Day football game.
NOTE: The game was scheduled to be played on Thanksgiving morning but was moved due to the weather forecast for snow and rain on late Wednesday and early Thursday morning. … Melton’s first extra point hit the upright and bounced away. … Melton has 45 extra points this year, breaking his own record for most points by a kicker set a year ago with 31 points. …. Delos owns the single season record for most TDs (20) and most points scored (124). He broke the record he set a year ago with 90 points and 14 TDs. … The game was delayed for about 30 minutes in the fourth quarter when Granby’s Fred Moffa was hurt. An ambulance came on the field and took Moffa to a local hospital. Granby coach Rich Gaudoury said that Moffa would be OK and it was a precautionary move. … Canton First Selectman Richard Barlow and David Gilchrist, captain of Canton’s 1949 football team, presented the ceremonial old red milk jug to the Warriors after the game. … Canton won 10 games. It’s previous best seasons were campaigns of 7-3 and 7-4 in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
Canton 42, Granby 13
At Canton
Granby (7-4) 0 7 0 6 — 13
Canton (10-1) 6 22 14 0 – 42
First quarter
C: Sebby Gumbs 34 run (kick failed), 5:39
Second quarter
C: Dan Delos 2 run (Delos run), 7:09
C: Gumbs 53 run (Eddie Melton kick), 6:41
C: Delos 1 run (Melton kick). 1:20
G: Trevon Samuels 2 run (Fred Moffa kick), 0:20
Third quarter
C: Gumbs 30 run (Melton kick), 5:33
C: Henry Bonini 5 run (Melton kick), 0:09
Fourth quarter
G: Connor Field 40 run (kick failed)
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