That sequence gave Canton a nine-point lead. It also was pure Canton football. Playmakers made plays, linemen made key blocks and receivers unselfishly helped Gardner along his path to the end zone.

Many of the players are new this season, but the results are not, and Canton continues winning.

Fitch threw two touchdowns, Alexis McRoberts kicked a key third quarter field goal, and the defense forced four turnovers Saturday morning at Rodney K. Morgans Stadium as Canton defeated South Williamsport, 17-8. The Warriors (2-0) won at South for a second straight season and answered the Mounties lone scoring drive with a clutch game-sealing touchdown drive.

“Our wide receivers made great blocks, so I just picked out holes and ran as fast as I could,” Gardner said of his highlight 35-yard touchdown play. “We fight to the whistle. That’s how we play.”

Dylan Scheller of South Williamsport and Rylan Wesneski (6) and Ben Fitch (8) of Canton all try to pull in a deflected pass intended for Scheller in South Williamsport. Canton won 17-8. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

That mindset has helped Canton become a perennial Class A power, one which has reached two state Final 4s and played in five district championships over the last six seasons while going 58-12.

This is as young as Canton has been during its outstanding run, but these players have grown up watching the older ones excel. More important, they have absorbed everything the alumni have taught them and shown them. Now, they are embracing their opportunities.

“They’ve come up in that culture. They’ve seen the guys before them,” Canton coach Tyler Sechrist said. “You think about these freshmen that are seniors now, what they’ve seen Canton football do is powerful.”

The fusion of returning leaders and promising newcomers could be a potent blend and it has helped Canton open the season with consecutive road victories, allowing just one touchdown each time. Everything is earned the hard way against Canton and the Warriors did not flinch when South threatened, snuffing out three drives which reached their territory.

Nobody tried to be the hero and everyone did their jobs. Those 11 playing as one helped Canton stay strong when South started gaining momentum and helped it land the knockout blow in the fourth quarter against a team which was battling off the ropes.

“They’re a good group, a close group. That’s what has helped us the last few years,” Sechrist said. “We play for each other. It’s not like one guy gets upset because he doesn’t get enough touches or anything like that. It’s been more of a team and these guys are the same way.”

Fitch hit Zack Colton with a 19-yard second quarter touchdown and McRoberts, after playing soccer in the morning, arrived for the second half, booting a 23-yard field goal late in the third which made it a two-score game, 10-0.

South broke through early in the fourth and Jayden Hamm’s six-yard touchdown run followed by Tadd Lusk finding Dylan Scheller for a 2-point conversion pulled South within 10-8. More than eight minutes remained and South’s defense had allowed just five first downs at that point.

Instead of breaking apart, Canton again pulled together. Linemen Michael Beers, Jake Pepper, Quincy Wesneski, Elijah Kilmer and Blane Wesneski asserted themselves and Fitch (156 total yards) four key runs as Canton started burning precious time off the clock. A 14th penalty, however, threatened to derail the drive as Canton faced a third-and-16 from the South 35.

That is when Fitch, Gardner and the blockers went to work. Fitch bought enough time and stepped into the pocket, avoiding two defenders while locating Gardner. The sophomore took it from there, scoring his fourth touchdown in two games and showcasing his exciting potential.

Kasim Davenport of South Williamsport puts pressure on of Ben Fitch of Canton in South Williamsport. Canton won 17-8. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“They got that touchdown and we just had to pound it back down their throats again,” Gardner said after totaling 85 yards and adding seven tackles. “We came together and were able to get it done.”

Like Canton, South features a super tradition and also is replacing most of last year’s starters. The Mounties return just four senior starters and several freshmen and sophomores already have broken into the starting lineup. The result was not what South (1-1) wanted, but progress is being made and there certainly is a lot of room for growth as the first-time varsity players gain more experience.

South was in a similar situation four years ago and the core of those young players laid the foundation for last year’s run to the state’s Final 4. So, the Mounties have been here before and one game will not define its season, nor the trajectory this group takes.

“The future is bright, and we just have to keep going. The guy that doesn’t give up or give in eventually makes it to his destination and I think that’s kind of where it is,” South coach Chris Eiswerth said. “The kids have worked hard and I’m proud of them and we’ll go back to the drawing board.”

South had its chances throughout the first three quarters, but Canton’s defense repeatedly made timely stops when it threatened. That included Dawson Burgess and Rylan Wesneski making drive-ending interceptions before Fitch sealed victory with a late interception.

Jayden Hamm of South Williamsport leaps over the tackle attempt by Rylan Wesneski of Canton in South Williamsport. Canton won 17-8. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Holden Ward played a strong game defensively and forced a fumble that he recovered early in the second quarter as South’s 17-yard line. The Mounties pushed Canton back two yards on the next three plays, but Fitch sucked in the defense on an option pass and found Colton all alone in the end zone’s left corner, putting Canton up 7-0.

“That was a big play. Ben is a playmaker,” Sechrist said. “He’s going to make plays with his feet or throwing the ball. He didn’t have his best game but made enough plays to help us win.”

South moved to the Canton 25 late in the half, but Wesneski intercepted a deflected ball along the left sideline. Gardner broke multiple tackles on a 32-yard run in the half’s final seconds, giving Canton a shot at another school but Caleb Johnson made an end zone interception, keeping it 7-0.

It stayed that way until later in the third when a 32-yard Fitch to Ward connection sparked a drive which reached the 1-yard line. South held Fitch for no gain on third down and a procedure penalty pushed it to the six on fourth down. McRoberts helped Troy (which co-ops with Canton soccer) beat Montoursville earlier in the morning and now helped the football team win, drilling her 23-yard field goal with plenty of room to spare.

South responded with its best drive and effectively mixed in runs and passes while going 73 yards on 14 plays. Hamm burst through a good hole up the middle on his six-yard touchdown. Right when it seemed like South was on the verge of an impressive comeback, Canton responded and all but clinched the victory.

Dylan Scheller of South Williamsport pulls in a reception against Canton in South Williamsport. Canton won 17-8. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Everyone picks each other up. If someone gets down, there’s always somebody there to pick him up and encourage him,” Gardner said. “It’s about the next play.”

Two-way lineman Paxton Gephart made a lot of plays for South, collecting a career-high 10 tackles while freshman Kasim Davenport added a sack and two tackles for loss. Dylan Scheller made some spectacular catches, hauling in six receptions for 70 yards.

Dawson Burgess made 10 tackles for Canton and Beers and Quincy Wesneski played monster roles in the Warriors slowing South’s running game. Ward added eight tackles.

The good news for both teams going forward is each knows it can play much better. The futures look bright but both are focused on the present and improving each week.

“There’s so much teaching. I think the seniors are doing a noble job being leaders,” Eiswerth said. “You want the kids to do well and learn but it’s going to be a process.”

Canton 17, South Williamsport 8

Canton 0 7 3 7―17

Warrior Run 0 0 0 8―8

Second Quarter

C–Zack Colton 19 pass from Ben Fitch (Ben Pepper kick), 8:52

Third Quarter

C–Alexis McRoberts 23-yard field goal, 2:04

Fourth Quarter

S–Jayden Hamm 6 run (Tadd Lusk pass to Dylan Scheller), 8:07

C–Bailey Gardner 35 pass from Fitch (McRoberts kick), 4:25

TEAM STATISTICS C S

First Downs 7 13

Rushes-yards 32-132 36-117

Passing yards 90 97

Comp-Att-Int 6-12-1 8-21-3

Total yards 222 214

Fumbles-lost 2-1 2-1

Penalties-yards 14-96 6-43

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Canton, Ben Fitch 16-56; Bailey Gardner 8-50; Aydin Holcomb 4-22; Holden Ward 4-4. South, Jayden Hamm 15-55, TD; Cade Lusk 9-34; Tadd Lusk 7-24; Dylan Scheller 1-6; Eli White 4-(-2).

PASSING: Canton, Fitch 6-12-1, 90 yards, 2 TD. South, T. Lusk 8-21-3, 97 yards.

RECEIVING: Canton, Zack Colton 3-21, TD; Gardner 1-35, TD; Ward 1-32; Holcomb 1-2. South, Scheller 6-70; Caleb Johnson 1-14; White 1-13.

INTERCEPTIONS: Canton, Fitch, Dawson Burgess, Rylan Wesneski. South, Johnson.

SACKS: South, Kasim Davenport

RECORDS: Canton 2-0. South 1-1.