Warriors hope to rebound from loss under the lights Friday against Gilbert

Canton’s Sam Jenkins (21) looks to clear the way for Eddie Melton (4) in Saturday’s Pequot Conference game in Woodbury. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

Nonnewaug running back Zach Mauro is off to a great start for his senior season. In two of three games, he has run for nearly 300 yards. He has rushed for 12 touchdowns to help the Chiefs win two of their first three games for the first time in their football history.

Mauro was off to the races Saturday in Woodbury with a dominating performance in a 35-0 win over Canton. Mauro ran for a school-record 297 yards on 17 carries and scored five touchdowns. That is one touchdown shy of the school record he set on opening day with six TDs and 292 yards rushing in a 24-point win over Enfield.

Canton (0-3, 0-2 Pequot West) showed some flashes of success but made too many mistakes to pick up a victory. The Warriors had five turnovers (three interceptions, two fumbles) and struggled to keep the Chiefs away from quarterback Alex Higley, who was sacked three times.

Canton coach Chris Currier hopes that the Warriors can continue to grow and improve with Friday’s game against Gilbert/Northwestern (2-1, 2-1 Pequot West) looming on the horizon. It’s the only night game of the season at home for the Warriors. The field will be illuminated with portable lights. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m.

“It brings another aura to the game,” Currier said of the lights. “Hopefully, we can go make something special happen. We have the ability. It’s the matter of finding the drive when you get hit in the face.”

Canton will be facing a Yellowjacket team that is coming off a 34-7 win over Lewis Mills on Saturday. Gilbert/Northwestern QB Ben Schiffer completed 7-of-14 passes for 123 yards and two touchdown passes to Gabe Schwartz in the victory. Schwartz also ran for a score. Gilbert’s Jake Roth rambled for 50 yards and two touchdowns.

Canton senior linebacker Elliot Moreau had eight tackles and a sack on Saturday against Nonnewaug while Brock Steinfeldt had four tackles – two for losses. Higley completed a career-high 10 of 14 passes for 104 yards but was intercepted three times. Melton caught five passes for a career-high 63 yards. He also ran for 25 yards on the ground.

“We’re working on pass protection, working on linebackers filling in the gaps and learning their responsibilities,” Currier said in regard to this week’s preparations for the Yellowjackets. “We’re working on tackling. It’s a young and inexperienced team.”

Canton displayed the ability to move the ball against Nonnewaug (2-1, 1-1 Pequot West) but penalties and turnovers hurt the Warriors.

For the host Chiefs, it was their third shutout since they began playing varsity football in 2007. The first two shutout wins came against Lewis Mills. It was the first shutout against Canton since October 2011 against Enfield.

Nonnewaug 35, Canton 0
At Woodbury
Canton (0-3)             0    0  0    0 –   0
Nonnewaug (2-1)     0  14  7  14  – 35
Second quarter
N: Zach Mauro 72 run (Mike Criscione kick), 11:31
N: Mauro 8 run (Criscione kick), 2:17
Third quarter
N: Mauro 35 run (Criscione kick), 0:19
Fourth quarter
N: Mauro 17 run (Criscione kick), 10:14
N: Mauro 71 run (Criscione kick), 8:54
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Canton – Eddie Melton 11-25, Matt Bangs 6-16, Alex Higley 11-minus 43, Sam Jenkins 2-2; Nonnewaug – Zach Mauro 17-297, Fraser 8-67, Nastri 3-0, Torto 2-3, Southard 3-8, Krizan 1-3
PASSING: Canton – Alex Higley 10-18-3, 104; Nonnewaug – Dominic Nastri 1-7-0, 14
RECEIVING: Canton – Eddie Melton 5-63, Mekiah Davis 3-18, Braeden Bean 1-3, Click 0-0, Matt Bangs 1-20; Nonnewaug – Paige 1-14