What to expect in Little Giants football opener Friday in Eureka
CANTON — Eureka may be the smaller school by a couple hundred students but the Canton Little Giants will try to ignore that fact on Friday when they open the 2022 season on the Hornets' new turf field.
"They got a lot of guys coming back from a really good team last year," said Canton coach Nick Wright, whose team is trying to improve on a 3-6 finish last year.
"They're a quality football team and we've got to prepare for a quality team."
About Eureka:
Playing in the Heart of Illinois Conference, the Hornets went 6-4 a year ago and made the Class 3A playoffs. They return 10 starters on offense and defense, many of them 3-year starters. The team is coached by Jason Bachman.
Fast pace expected:
"You're going to see two spread teams go at it," predicted Wright. "But they probably like to throw the ball a little more than we do."
Key Canton performers:
Cale Barnhardt takes over at quarterback from the graduated Nick Oldfield. The Little Giants return running backs Lashawn Wallace and Joe Nichols.
Wallace, who led the team in rushing last year even though he missed several games due to an appendectomy, returns to carry the ball as does Joe Nichols, who took over as his replacement.
Norton will also lead the defense at free safety.
Little Giants experienced:
Canton can count 21 seniors on the varsity roster.
"We've had close to 90 kids working every day," said Wright. "We've got a big freshman class and a big sophomore class. I've pushed them really hard and our guys are giving each other good looks in practice."
Keys to the game:
"We've got to establish our run game and get the job done up front," said Wright.
"We definitely have to hold their receivers in check. They have three of the top 10 receivers in the Peoria area according to the Peoria Journal-Star.
"We've got to limit their big plays."
What's ahead:
Canton hosts Marengo for a 7:30 p.m. game Sept. 2. before opening Mid-Illini Conference play at Morton on Sept. 9.
This article originally appeared on Canton Daily Ledger: Canton IL High School football team opens the season at Eureka IL
