HURON — A hard-fought, low-scoring homecoming game did not go the Tigers way Friday night, as Canton defeated Huron 14-12 at Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers got a huge break on their first defensive series as Tyson Lien recovered a dropped backward pass, giving Huron excellent field position. A touchdown pass to Teagan Pfitzer was called back due to penalty, which was an issue early on for the Tigers. Instead, Huron was forced into a punt.
Lien broke a big play for the Tigers’ initial first down of the game on the next offensive series, getting Huron to the Canton 14-yard line. However, Cade McNeil threw an interception to Canton linebacker Zach Richardson to end the Tigers scoring threat.
A muffed punt by the C-Hawks gave the Tigers excellent field position in the second quarter on the Canton 28-yard line.
Huron was finally able to punch one in with 4:32 left in the first half as McNeil connected with Max Kranzler. The extra point was no good, leaving the Tigers with a 6-0 lead.
The Tigers went to half with a 6-0 homecoming lead.
Canton took their second drive of the second half deep into Tigers territory for their first real threat of the night. Zander Elling punched in the touchdown, and Canton got the extra point to take a 7-6 lead.
Huron missed on two wide open passes in their next drive before having to turn the ball over to Canton, who pounded the ball on the ground against the Tigers defense, eating up yards and eating up the majority of the fourth quarter clock.
The C-Hawks used that long run-oriented drive to draw the Tigers’ defense in on a play-action play to get a touchdown pass from Seth Peterson to Payton Eben go up 14-6 after the extra point.
On a 4th down and long play in the next Huron offensive series, McNeil connected with Derick Siemonsma, who had snuck behind the Canton defense and outraced pursuers for a touchdown.
The two-point conversion failed, however, leaving the Tigers still trailing 14-12.
The onside kick failed, meaning the Tigers got the ball back with time enough for just one play. While Huron lateraled the ball and made the play exciting, it ultimately fell short.
Canton picked up their first win, moving to 1-2. The C-Hawks were led by Eben with 77 yards rushing and a receiving touchdown.
Huron fell to 2-2 on the year despite a strong night on the ground for Tyson Lien with 11 carries for 98 yards. Derick Siemonsma led the defense with nine tackles and a sack on the evening to go with his long receiving touchdown.
The Tigers will travel west to play the Scoopers of Sturgis next Friday.
