Scoring first and showcasing Shore’s big play ability was Haydn Packer on a 45-yard rushing touchdown scoring the first points. Some good defense by Canton then slowed down the quickness presented by the Jersey Shore offense until Elijah Jordan connected for a second Jersey Shore touchdown late in the first quarter on a 40-yard receiving touchdown as Shore came out early to air the ball out all over the field over Canton.

It turned into a battle between the tackles, as the interior line play was big for both Canton and Jersey Shore as each squad exchanged run stopping attacks. Shore’s big-time return threat Michael Davis cooked up the Canton special teams midway through the first quarter with a huge punt return, juking guys out left and right. An illegal block in the back directly resulted in the nullified score and the ball being brought back to midfield.

“We want to keep playing, we played for 48-minutes tonight even though we made mistakes and even though the other team could make some big plays we always feel like if we just play for 48 minutes, eventually we’ll get the right score on the scoreboard,” said Jersey Shore coach Tom Gravish.

Jersey Shore came back with a big screen play that was again called back for a clip in block in the back call which took Jersey Shore back even further to the 40 yard line of the Bulldogs. Quarterback Brady Jordan was then chased down in the back of the pocket, eventually brought down for a sack. Hybrid strong side outside linebacker/ stand-up defensive/defensive tackle Mason Nelson of Canton did an excellent job at stuffing the run up the middle while finishing plays with vicious hits. The Jersey Shore line was always aware of his presence, with both the quarterback and the center pointing to Nelson. He was able to break through some double teams and rip the Shore ball carrier to the ground.

Kooper Peacock of Jersey Shore celebrates a touchdown as the Canton fans watch him celebrate at Canton High School Friday evening. Jersey Shore won 23-0 to remain undefeated on the season. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

He was also in the backfield causing pressure in the face of Jordan. Nelson along with the help defense of Canton netted the Bulldogs a scoreless offensive possession which is a big rarity for them. The closeness of the game had the intensity raised in the second quarter, with both teams creating big chunk plays on offense while still keeping the ball from getting in the endzone.

“The run game wasn’t as good as we’re accustomed but we just have to take what we can get. We thought we should’ve scored a few more times down their at the goal line and how that all transpired but we’re not gonna cry over it. We’re definitely going to take that and learn from it and hopefully finish the deal next week,” Gravish said.

Gravish knew Canton had the ability to score points, and noted keeping Canton out of the endzone was the biggest challenge for the Bulldogs.

“They scored 70, 80 something points a bunch of times this year so to keep them out of the endzone, it was our goal this week and we thought they had talented players, but we did feel that we could keep them to some minimal points,” Gravish said. “I’m just really proud of our guys and the assistant coaches help they emphasize certain keys with certain motions and that sort of thing but they’re a great football team and it was a very entertaining game here tonight for all of us coaches, players, and fans.”

Shore’s Swiss Army knife Kooper Peacock — who is usually always on the field whether its offense, defense, or special teams — is used as a weapon in the punting game with several Ray Guy-like end-to-end punts from one end of the field to the other.

Kooper Peacock of Jersey Shore breaks a tackle by Weston Bellows (7) of Canton and runs for a touchdown at Canton High School Friday evening. Jersey Shore won 23-0 to remain undefeated on the season. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I just try and go out there and help the guys, we practice hard each week and play for one another,” said Peacock. “We’re happy to get the win here tonight, looking onto Central Mountain.”

Coming out of the half was Jersey Shore, who came out of the locker room fast and furious with a pass completion to Peacock on an end-around flank pass to the outside edge where Cantons corner and outside linebacker lost containment as they each missed with an arm tackle allowing Peacock to break free for an easy long winded touchdown up the sideline.

With the score the Bulldogs went up 21-0 early in the second half. Shore would get the ball back on a quick three and out. Shore’s Brady Jordan then met a wall up the middle by 52 who laid down a bone crushing blow.

Canton would get the ball back on the next possession and deliver a huge pass to 27 down the sideline, in the red zone near the goal line. Canton was stuffed on four straight tries on two runs and two incomplete passes as a golden opportunity for Canton to score was squandered by the Shore fence that stepped up and delivered a budding stop when they needed it most.

Heading towards the end of the third quarter came some hard-hitting, head-jerking tackles from both sides with some good old fashion off-tackle runs. Much like the beginning of the game, it was more great interior line play coming from Jersey Shore as they were able to move some of the Warrior big bodies off the ball heading into the fourth. This was causing many lineman being pushed back into the secondary linebackers allowing for some easy holes for Shore.

Hadyn Packer of Jersey Shore tries to break the tackle of four Canton tackles at Canton High School Friday evening. Jersey Shore won 23-0 to remain undefeated on the season. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We were a little sloppy but you have to give credit to Canton, their No. 1 in their classification for a reason and any time you play anyone who’s No. 1 in the state, and we really respect coach Tate Sechrist and all those coaches over their for what they do and how this Canton community is really into football, how the whole town seems to love it,” Gravish said. “It feels like a special environment.”

Jersey Shore marched down the field on Canton which led to a Miller missed field goal from 36 yards. Getting mentally back in the game was Canton on the sideline with the coaches trying to refocus the Warrior offense. Canton came out and showed some resilience by producing powerful runs by Tyler Wright, and Ayden Holcomb.

Some tough calls had Canton in difficult spots as it had some penalties go against it. An unsportsmanlike penalty on Nelson for an open hand slap punch to a Jersey Shore lineman along with an ineligible man downfield on a long pass killed the drive, momentum and any last ditch effort at a comeback for the Warriors.

The last play saw Canton starting quarterback Austin Allen scramble around the back of the end zone and then just flip the ball away once he got met by a defender, resulting in a safety to end the game as the Bulldogs take down the Warriors by a final of 23-0 in Canton. Next the Jersey Shore Bulldogs will face off against Central Mountain away next week while the Canton Warriors will play against Troy away next Friday.

“We’re just really proud of our guys, we were a little bit sloppy, part of that was a credit to Canton but we knew this wouldn’t be an easy game,” Gravish added. “So we will just have to take a hard look at the mistakes we’ve made and we’ll draw something up and get ready for Central Mountain next week, because their a 5A program that’s just up the road and they got a lot of good players.”

Kooper Peacock looks for running room against Canton at Canton High School Friday evening. Jersey Shore won 23-0 to remain undefeated on the season. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Bulldogs will head to Central Mountain for the regular-season finale on Friday night.

Jersey Shore 23, Canton 0

Jersey Shore 14 0 7 2 — 23

Canton 0 0 0 0 — 0

First quarter

Elijah Jordan of Jersey Shore is tackled by Austin Allen (9) and Riley Parker (25) of Canton at Canton High School Friday evening. Jersey Shore won 23-0 to remain undefeated on the season. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

JS –Haydn Packer 45 yard run (Miller, kick good), 7:28

JS–Elijah Jordan 40 yard pass from Brady Jordan (Miller, kick good), 2:45.

Third quarter

JS–Kooper Peacock 40 yard pass from Brady Jordan (Miller, kick good), 12:29.

Fourth quarter

JS–Safety, 1:40.

TEAM STATISTICS

JS C

First downs 19 10

Rushes-yards 49-191 28-53

C-A-I 9-16-0 6-13-0

Passing yards 99 104

Total yards 290 157

Fumbles-lost 1-2 1-1

Penalties-yards 7-70 4-45

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Jersey Shore: Elijah Jordan (9-4-1), Kooper Peacock (2-0), Brady Jordan (16-49), Dathan Tyson (1-3), Tate Sechrist (5-26), Hayden Packer (16-99). Canton, n/a.

PASSING — Jersey Shore: Brady Jordan (8-16-99). Canton, Austin Allen 6-13-0 104.

RECEIVING — Jersey Shore: Elijah Jordan (2-6-46-1), Kooper Peacock (3-4-37), Connor Griffin (2-4-9), Dathan Tyson (0-1-0). Canton, n/a.