Some of this week's football games might have you double checking your calendars to see if its Thanksgiving but rest assure, it's still October.
Canton and Stoughton will be one of four matchups this week that used to strictly be on Thanksgiving, but with the new playoff format, it's the second year in a row that rivals meet in the regular season. The Black Knights come in with a perfect 4-0 record while the Bulldogs enter at 3-1 after suffering their first setback last week. Stoughton is averaging a league-best 36 points a game while Canton's defense has allowed just 14.75 points per game thus far, third best in the league. Canton's offense is putting up 25.5 points on average, fifth best in the Hockomock while Stoughton's defense has allowed 17.25 points per game on average, fourth best in the league.
Last year, the Black Knights rolled in the regular season with a 40-13 win, but on Thanksgiving it was a much closer game. Stoughton went up early but had to hold on after a late rally from the Bulldogs made it a one score game.
Canton and Stoughton will be one of four matchups this week that used to strictly be on Thanksgiving, but with the new playoff format, it's the second year in a row that rivals meet in the regular season. The Black Knights come in with a perfect 4-0 record while the Bulldogs enter at 3-1 after suffering their first setback last week. Stoughton is averaging a league-best 36 points a game while Canton's defense has allowed just 14.75 points per game thus far, third best in the league. Canton's offense is putting up 25.5 points on average, fifth best in the Hockomock while Stoughton's defense has allowed 17.25 points per game on average, fourth best in the league.
Last year, the Black Knights rolled in the regular season with a 40-13 win, but on Thanksgiving it was a much closer game. Stoughton went up early but had to hold on after a late rally from the Bulldogs made it a one score game.
Stoughton
What can you expect from Stoughton? Simply put: a lot of good things. The Black Knights had some question marks coming into the season but after four games, the only question seems to be 'Who's going to stop Stoughton?'
On offense, the Black Knights are a well oiled machine. The offensive line has been very strong all season and the running backs have been able to run wild because of it. Stoughton mixes their run game up, mixing in sweeps with handoffs to fullback Joey Girolamo to keep defenses off balance. On top of the dangerous run game, Stoughton boasts one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Jake Gibb. Gibb, though only a junior, is also one of the most experienced QBs in the league and he's proved it this year with his league-leading seven passes. A big reason for Gibb's success has been senior Brandon Swain-Price, who has burst onto the scene this year and has four touchdown receptions. Oh yeah, there there is sophomore Ryan Sullivan, who is a big play waiting to happen.
Defensively, the Black Knights are playing traditional Stoughton defense. They are fast, strong and tough to break away from in any part of the field. Swain-Price has been a star on defense as well, playing in the secondary and really preventing teams from getting a pass game going. Brian Crimmins has been a tough player to get by and Brian Nguyen has emerged on the defensive line as a play to watch. Kevin
Canton
The question posed above was 'Who's going to stop Stoughton?' Canton would love to be the answer. The Bulldogs came flying out of the gates, starting the season 3-0 before suffering a loss on the road at Milford last week.
On offense, Canton boasts a great quarterback of their own. Brian Hagan is also one of the most experienced QBs in the league and is second in the league with six touchdown passes, just one behind Gibb. Hagan has another wrinkle in his game where he's able to run the option very well and can beat defenses with his feet. He has four rushing touchdowns on the season, including a season-long 27 yard touchdown run against Bedford. One reason for his successful passing is because of wideouts Derrick Harris and Michael Harris. The Bulldogs also boast a solid two-headed attack with Sterlin Garvin and Jahron Reynolds.
Defensively, the Bulldogs have a lot of talent including linebackers Anthony Ross, Tommy Galvin, Joe Bires and James Bourikas. All four have shown the ability to make a big tackle and they'll have to be on their toes with all of the options Stoughton has. On the line, Wavol Pretence and Mac Brown have been solid and will be put to the test with the Black Knight's run game.
What can you expect from Stoughton? Simply put: a lot of good things. The Black Knights had some question marks coming into the season but after four games, the only question seems to be 'Who's going to stop Stoughton?'
On offense, the Black Knights are a well oiled machine. The offensive line has been very strong all season and the running backs have been able to run wild because of it. Stoughton mixes their run game up, mixing in sweeps with handoffs to fullback Joey Girolamo to keep defenses off balance. On top of the dangerous run game, Stoughton boasts one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Jake Gibb. Gibb, though only a junior, is also one of the most experienced QBs in the league and he's proved it this year with his league-leading seven passes. A big reason for Gibb's success has been senior Brandon Swain-Price, who has burst onto the scene this year and has four touchdown receptions. Oh yeah, there there is sophomore Ryan Sullivan, who is a big play waiting to happen.
Defensively, the Black Knights are playing traditional Stoughton defense. They are fast, strong and tough to break away from in any part of the field. Swain-Price has been a star on defense as well, playing in the secondary and really preventing teams from getting a pass game going. Brian Crimmins has been a tough player to get by and Brian Nguyen has emerged on the defensive line as a play to watch. Kevin
Canton
The question posed above was 'Who's going to stop Stoughton?' Canton would love to be the answer. The Bulldogs came flying out of the gates, starting the season 3-0 before suffering a loss on the road at Milford last week.
On offense, Canton boasts a great quarterback of their own. Brian Hagan is also one of the most experienced QBs in the league and is second in the league with six touchdown passes, just one behind Gibb. Hagan has another wrinkle in his game where he's able to run the option very well and can beat defenses with his feet. He has four rushing touchdowns on the season, including a season-long 27 yard touchdown run against Bedford. One reason for his successful passing is because of wideouts Derrick Harris and Michael Harris. The Bulldogs also boast a solid two-headed attack with Sterlin Garvin and Jahron Reynolds.
Defensively, the Bulldogs have a lot of talent including linebackers Anthony Ross, Tommy Galvin, Joe Bires and James Bourikas. All four have shown the ability to make a big tackle and they'll have to be on their toes with all of the options Stoughton has. On the line, Wavol Pretence and Mac Brown have been solid and will be put to the test with the Black Knight's run game.
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com
I think this one is going to be much closer than others think. The last two Thanksgiving match ups have been very good games despite what either team's record was heading into it, with each team taking a win. Now Stoughton comes to play under the lights at Canton, which I'm sure will be a little different for Greg Burke and staff. I think Stoughton's defense makes enough plays for the win.
The Pick: Stoughton 28, Canton 20
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
Coming into the season, the question was whether Stoughton could find the offensive punch to go with it's usual stingy defense. At more than 35 ppg, the Black Knights have answered that emphatically. Canton is a strong team, but Stoughton has been the top team in the league this year and that continues on Friday.
The Pick: Stoughton 35, Canton 20
Jeffrey Pickette, Stoughton Media Access
Between QB Jake Gibb, FB Joey Girolamo, RB Ryan Sullivan and WR Brandon Swain-Price, the Stoughton offense has too much firepower. And they are protected by a stellar o-line. And the Stoughton defense ain't bad either. But the Black Knights will be tested by Canton QB Brian Hagan, who is second to Gibb in TD passes and can hurt you on the ground too. It still won't be enough for the upset, however.
The Pick: Stoughton 34, Canton 14
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
Despite Canton and Stoughton's stingy defenses, I still see this one playing out in high-scoring fashion. Every week it seems like the Black Knights have a new devastating play-maker coming out of the woodwork. Stoughton has too many weapons to be slowed down.
The Pick: Stoughton 34, Canton 23
Danny Ventura, The Boston Herald
The game lost a little bit of its luster when Canton was upset by Milford last week, ruining a potential battle of the unbeatens. Stoughton has a variety of weapons in its offensive arsenal and will cause problems for the Bulldogs. For Canton to have any shot, quarterback Brian Hagan and linebacker Joe Bires are going to have to have monster effort.
The Pick: Stoughton 28, Canton 13
I think this one is going to be much closer than others think. The last two Thanksgiving match ups have been very good games despite what either team's record was heading into it, with each team taking a win. Now Stoughton comes to play under the lights at Canton, which I'm sure will be a little different for Greg Burke and staff. I think Stoughton's defense makes enough plays for the win.
The Pick: Stoughton 28, Canton 20
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
Coming into the season, the question was whether Stoughton could find the offensive punch to go with it's usual stingy defense. At more than 35 ppg, the Black Knights have answered that emphatically. Canton is a strong team, but Stoughton has been the top team in the league this year and that continues on Friday.
The Pick: Stoughton 35, Canton 20
Jeffrey Pickette, Stoughton Media Access
Between QB Jake Gibb, FB Joey Girolamo, RB Ryan Sullivan and WR Brandon Swain-Price, the Stoughton offense has too much firepower. And they are protected by a stellar o-line. And the Stoughton defense ain't bad either. But the Black Knights will be tested by Canton QB Brian Hagan, who is second to Gibb in TD passes and can hurt you on the ground too. It still won't be enough for the upset, however.
The Pick: Stoughton 34, Canton 14
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
Despite Canton and Stoughton's stingy defenses, I still see this one playing out in high-scoring fashion. Every week it seems like the Black Knights have a new devastating play-maker coming out of the woodwork. Stoughton has too many weapons to be slowed down.
The Pick: Stoughton 34, Canton 23
Danny Ventura, The Boston Herald
The game lost a little bit of its luster when Canton was upset by Milford last week, ruining a potential battle of the unbeatens. Stoughton has a variety of weapons in its offensive arsenal and will cause problems for the Bulldogs. For Canton to have any shot, quarterback Brian Hagan and linebacker Joe Bires are going to have to have monster effort.
The Pick: Stoughton 28, Canton 13
HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
Danny Ventura |
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Game of the Week Staff | ||||||||||
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
SMAC |
The Enterprise |
The Boston Herald |
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Stoughton @ Canton Friday, 7:00 |
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Attleboro @ North Attleboro Friday, 7:00 |
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Milford @ Foxboro Friday, 7:00 |
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King Philip @ Franklin Friday, 7:00 |
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Mansfield @ Taunton Friday, 6:00 |
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Oliver Ames @ Sharon Saturday, 2:30 |
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Total | Lanigan 20-15 |
Perry 21-14 |
Pickette 20-15 |
McDaniel 19-16 |
Guests 3-3 |