Sports
OA Football Overcomes 14 Point Deficit to Defeat Canton, 17-14
Tigers defeat Bulldogs despite not having a single offensive possession in the first quarter.
CANTON – Despite the fact that the Oliver Ames offense didn't have a possession until the second quarter, the Tigers overcame a 14-point deficit in the second quarter and defeated the Canton Bulldogs Saturday afternoon, 17-14.
A freak play resulted in Canton's first turnover of the game after a punt attempt hit an OA defender in the helmet and the Bulldogs recovered with great field possession. Canton quarterback Brooks Conrad took advantage of the great field advantage to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead when he hit Elias Camacho on a 32-yard touchdown pass.
After another OA turnover on the ensuing kickoff, Conrad would lead the Bulldogs to a 14-0 lead as he scampered into the end zone on a five-yard run – his second touchdown of the game – at the beginning of the second quarter.
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It did not take long for OA to generate some momentum, however, as senior quarterback Mitchell Johnson connected on a 54-yard pass with junior receiver Connor Timulty on the Tigers' first offensive play of the game. Johnson would sneak in from one-yard for the Tigers' first touchdown of the game.
In the third quarter, sophomore running back Ryan St. Claire gave the Tigers a huge boost of momentum as he took a 60-yard punt return to the end zone for a touchdown to tie things up at 14-14 following the extra point from Ryan McGrath.
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The Tigers were looking to add another touchdown in the beginning of the fourth quarter as they had a first and goal on Canton's three-yard line to begin the period. While they couldn't find the endzone, McGrath kicked a 25-yard field goal to put OA ahead for good with about 7:00 left.
An interception by Sam Langston with about 2:00 left in the fourth quarter sealed the deal for the Tigers as they improved to 3-4 on the year (2-4 in the Hockomock League; 2-0 in the Davenport Division), while Canton dropped to 0-7-1 overall (0-5-1 in the Hock; 0-1-1 in the Davenport).
OA returns to action Friday night at Val Muscato stadium when they host Attleboro. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.