Eagles hang tough versus top-ranked Gilmer
Photo by Doug Stuart
Defensive lineman Adolfo Rivera blows up a Gilmer play by knifing in the backfield and bringing down Kelton Collier.
The final score may not show it, but the Canton Eagles gave the Gilmer Buckeyes everything they could possibly want and more in a 45-19 loss on Friday night.
The Buckeyes entered the contest on an extreme high, having defeated a well-regarded Melissa team 60-0 the week before. All of those points were scored in the first half of that game, with coaches opting to keep a running clock the entirety of the second half.
Things would be far different against the Eagles at Norris Birdwell Stadium, with Canton, despite four first half turnovers offensively, narrowly trailing by a 21-12 margin entering intermission. Gilmer raised its level of play after the break, outscoring the Eagles 24-7 to close out the 45-19 win, but Canton showed more than enough to put other District 5-4A teams on notice.
The opening stages of play between the Buckeyes and Eagles had all the potential makings of a runaway, with Gilmer getting a big return from C.J. Grimmett to set up shop in the Canton end of the field on the 35-yard line.
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