Eagles dominate second quarter in 35-20 win

The Canton Eagles tallied their second consecutive win in as many weeks Sept. 15, jumping out to a big lead and never looking back in a 35-20 home win over the visiting Mabank Panthers. The 15-point win by the Eagles was the largest in the series since a 46-17 win by Canton during the 2014 season.

Canton made the most of Mabank’s decision to begin play on defense, getting a huge return from McGwire Martin to set up a short touchdown drive less than one minute into the game.

Following a wide path set up by his blockers, Martin electrified the home crowd by fielding the opening kickoff just inside his own 5-yard line and returning 90 yards to the Panther five. Two plays later Simon Miller scored on a short two-yard keeper to give the Eagles an early lead. Jair Rodriguez knocked home the PAT, putting Canton in front 7-0.

Things went from bad to worse for the Panthers on Canton’s first kickoff of the night with the Mabank fumbling the ball back to the Eagles just inside the Panther 40-yard line.

Canton could not capitalize on the drive, however, struggling to overcome a holding penalty on the second play of their drive before turning the ball back over on downs at the Mabank 22-yard line.

The Panthers would proceed to run the ball 11-consecutive plays during the drive, including eight by Alynn Gentry for 48 yards to move into Eagle territory. Mabank’s drive would eventually stall out at the Canton 27-yard line, forcing the Panthers to settle for a 37-yard field goal by James Coker.

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