Eagles fall to Panthers on Homecoming night

The Canton Eagles officially hit the halfway point of the regular season Sept. 29, wrapping up the non-district portion of their schedule with a 35-13 Homecoming night loss to the visiting Paris North Lamar Panthers.

Canton began play on offense, picking up just three yards on their opening series before being forced to punt the ball to Paris North Lamar. The Panthers fared no better on their first series of the night, also picking up just three yards before being forced to punt the ball.

Taking possession at their own 30-yard line, the Eagles would control the ball for more than six minutes en route to the first points of the night for either team.

Canton’s drive began with a five-yard penalty against the Panthers, followed by a six-yard run by Dylan Cox for a first down. McGwire Martin pushed the Eagles into Paris North Lamar territory by completing three straight passes, one to Cameron Sullivan and two to Tanner Moore, to reach the Panther 45-yard line.

After another first down, Canton’s drive nearly fizzled out but a 28-yard gain on a fourth and 12 to go play courtesy of a pass completion from Simon Miller to Martin on a pass back to the quarterback breathed new life into the Eagle drive.

Five plays after the completion, Canton found the end zone on a one-yard keeper by Martin. Jair Rodriguez knocked home the PAT, staking the Eagles to a 7-0 lead with 3:08 to play in the first quarter.

Paris North Lamar attempted to answer Canton’s touchdown with a score of their own on the ensuing drive, marching from their won 34-yard line to the Eagle 11-yard line on just six plays. The Eagle defense, which held a talented Life Waxahachie team to just 267 yards of total offense the week before, fought back the Panther challenge by forcing the first turnover of the night on a Yabdiel Crespo fumble recovery to end the Paris North Lamar scoring threat.

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