The Canton Eaglettes will start their bid for a second consecutive Class 4A playoff berth this week when they open District 14-4A play on the road against the Mabank Lady Panthers Sept. 21.
DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com
The Canton Eaglettes took two more steps towards the start of district play last week, splitting matches against Crandall and Rusk.
Canton opened its week at home, tangling with the Crandall Lady Pirates Sept. 11 after posting back-to-back wins over Kaufman and Elkhart. Despite a competitive effort, Crandall would come away with a three-set sweep.
Senior quarterback McGwire Martin stiff arms a Mt. Vernon defender to the ground during the Eagles 29-28 come from behind win.
DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com
The Canton Eagles pulled off a comeback for the ages during their home opener against Mt. Vernon, storming back from a 21-7 fourth quarter deficit to stun the Tigers 29-28 with a last second touchdown and PAT at Norris Birdwell Stadium Sept. 14.
Canton took possession of the ball to open play, losing yardage on two of their first three plays before being forced to punt the ball to the Tigers.
The Canton Running Eagles hosted their invitational on Sept. 15 with approximately 12 schools attending. Canton performed well overall, bringing home several top individual and team finishes at the event.
The varsity boys team finished third overall. Jonathan Bourquin led the way finishing eighth in a time of 18:00, followed by Matthew Hook in 11th with a time of 18:08, Garrett Stapleton in 14th with a time of 18:19, Wilson Null in 27th, Trent McCarver in 38th, Kevin Nixon in 49th, and Gage Bullard in 51st.
For the second consecutive weekend, the Canton Eaglettes stayed within the confines of Van Zandt County for tournament action as the traveled to Edgewood Aug. 23 and 25 to compete against 15 other area schools at this year’s installment of the Back to School Dig-Fest.
Competing in a field that included host Edgewood, Cumberland Academy, Scurry-Rosser, Farmersville, Palestine, Grand Saline, ETCA, Troup, Boles, Hooks, Keene, Lone Oak, Fruitvale, Life Waxahachie and Carthage, the Eaglettes finished fifth overall in the Gold Bracket.
The Canton Runing Eagles returned to work Aug. 25, traveling to Waxahachie to compete in their first event of the 2018 season. Canton runners turned in some good performances for the first meet of the year.
The varsity boys team finished 5th overall out of 13 teams, led by Jonathan Bourquin 7th place individual finish with a time of 18:13. Bourquin was followed closely by Matthew Hook who placed 10th in 18:36.
The Canton Eagles are scheduled to open the 2018 season on the road this week, traveling to Tyler tomorrow night (Aug. 31) for a showdown with the Grace Community Cougars. Canton and Grace last played in week two of the 2017 season with the Eagles pulling away late for a 42-31 victory.
DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com
The Canton Eagles enjoyed another solid campaign in 2017, playing their best football late in the season to finish with a 6-5 record overall in a bi-district round playoff appearance. Outside of a 10-point loss to Wills Point, Canton dominated both offensively and defensively once District 6-4A play.
The Canton Eaglettes, runners-up in District 13-4A last season, will look to reach the playoffs once again when they compete against teams including Athens, Brownsboro, Mabank, Van and Wills Point in 2018.
DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com
Student-athletes participating in cross country, football and volleyball returned to the grind over the past week with two-a-day workouts getting underway in anticipation of the 2018-’19 fall athletic season.
Cross Country
The Canton Running Eagles have consistently been among the most successful programs in Van Zandt County, perennially contending for district championships under head coach Marta Morgan.
The Canton Eagles were the cream of the crop in District 13-4A this season, following up a perfect 10-0 run in 2017 with another clean sweep of Brownsboro, Emory Rains, Mabank, Van and Wills Point in 2018.
Not surprisingly competing coaches recognized Canton's dominance with multiple Superlative and All-District selections.
Canton High School senior standout student-athlete Emily Watson became the latest county athlete to commit to competing collegiately next year, signing her letter of intent May 16 to play golf at East Texas Baptist University. Watson was joined at the signing ceremony by her family, golf coach Paige Lloyd and classmates.
Tristan Nelson represented Canton High School May 14-15 at the 4A State Golf Championships at Horseshoe Bay Resort/Apple Rock. Tristan carded a two-day total 163, shooting 81-82 to finish as 22nd individual medalist in the State. Coach Paige Lloyd stated, "I’m so very proud of Tristan and his accomplishments with the golf team. I look forward to seeing him represent CHS in future State Championships as well."
