Eagles upend Gladewater in bi-district play

Submitted by Canton1 on

Courtesy photo
The Canton Eagles show off the Bi-District championship trophy they earned Nov. 13 by defeating Gladewater 34-27. The Eagles travel to Mansfield this week to face Lorena in the Area round.

By David Kapitan Sports Editor
Set sights on Lorena in Area round
There’s an old adage in boxing that styles make fights. Fans that attended the bi-district round playoff game between Canton and Gladewater likely feel that idea carries just as much weight on the gridiron as it does in the ring after watching the high-flying passing attack of the Eagles outlast the ground and pound Bear rushing attack 34-27 in Hallsville Nov. 12.

Canton entered the contest as a slight underdog, having finished District 5-4A play as the third seed behind defending state champion Gilmer and Bullard in the final standings. Gladewater, on the other hand, ended District 6-4A play on a high after notching a co-district championship finish.

The Eagles began Thursday night on offense, picking up just seven yards before being forced to punt the ball to Gladewater less than two minutes of play.

In a sign of things to come, the Bears rushed the ball on 12 consecutive plays to start their night on offense, chewing more than six minutes of the game clock and coming away with a 7-0 lead in the process. Big plays on the drive included a 48-yard run by Cameron Callaway and a 3-yard touchdown run by Justice Centers.

After a short pooch on the ensuing kickoff, Canton held the ball just three plays before fumbling the ball back to Gladewater with excellent field position.

The Bear offense couldn’t duplicate the success of their first touchdown drive, failing to pick up a first down and punting the ball back to the Eagles with just 21 seconds to play in the first quarter.

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