OA Freshman Football Squad Gets Back Into The Win Column Against Canton

The OA Freshman football team got back in the win column by beating a resilient Canton team 30-20 to go to 8-1 with two games remaining in the season.

Things started well for the Tigers when they had back-to-back 15 yard runs by Jameson Dixon and Mike Ferrara to move the ball into Bulldog territory. However, OA fumbled on the next play and Canton took advantage with their quarterback eventually scoring and taking a 6-0 lead. OA blocked the extra point attempt.

OA made sure things turned out better on their next possession. With the Tigers starting on their own 15 yard line, Mike Ferrara had two 15 yard plus runs and Joey Tepper carried for another 8 yards as they entered Canton territory. With Jordan Schuster-Southern and Copper Johnson replacing the injured John McMillan at quarterback, the duo was doing just fine keeping the Tiger offense moving. On the next play, Tristan Flynn found a huge hole opened by Patrick McNeely, Noah Ryan and Joey Tepper to run 8 yards for a touchdown and even the score at 6-6.

Canton's next possession was stopped by the tough OA defense and a nice tackle by Noah Ryan and was forced to punt.

With OA getting the ball again they quickly went to work as Schuster-Southern hit Kyle Nichols for a 40 yard pass play down the left side and than again with a 5- yard pass to get OA to the Canton 10 yard line. Quarterback Cooper Johnson handed the ball to Joey Tepper who busted over the right-side and into the end zone for another 6 points and the lead 12-6. With Canton setting up for the run Johnson stepped back and tossed a 2 point pass to Schuster-Southern and a 14-6 lead with 2 minutes remaining.

Canton turned to their Quarterback to move the ball and he delivered. With a 30 yard run, a 20 yard pass and than another 15 yard TD pass, the Bulldogs tied the game just before halftime and OA went into the break with a 14-14 score.

Canton took the kickoff to start the second half but failed to capture a first down and tried a fake punt. Jameson Dixon made a great move on the line and broke into the backfield to block the punt and OA had the ball on the Bulldog 45 yard line. Mike Ferrara broke free for a 20 yard run and OA was moving the chains. On 4th down and 4 to go, Joey Tepper got the call and bulldozed his way to a first down to keep the momentum going. At 3:02 remaining in the third quarter, Mike Ferrara scored on a 5 yard run and again on the 2 point conversion to make the score 22-14 for the Tigers. 

With only 49 seconds left in the third quarter, Canton fumbled the ball and Joey Tepper was there to recover the ball on the OA 45 yard line. OA started to move the ball in the 4th quarter behind QB Schuster Southern who got the call to throw to Kyle Nichols sprinting down the left side and he hit him perfectly with a 30 yard pass for another TD and a 28-14 lead. The 2pt conversion was good when Schuster Southern took the snap and darted into the end zone for a commanding 30-14 lead.

With Canton moving the ball into the OA redzone, Patrick McNeely and Tom Ingargiola made two nice stops and kept the the clock moving. Unfortuantely, Canton eventually scored but Tepper and George Saad brought down the Canton fullback to stop the 2pt conversion and the score was now 30-20 with 1:44 left in the game.

Cantorn tried the onside kick and OA was ready as Ben Jennings made a nice play to recover the ball. The Tigers than handed the ball to Anthony Petrillo to burn the clock and secure the victory.

Nexts weeks game is against Stoughton at OA High School at 3:30pm.