Canton Tigers show promise, face early tests in 2025 football season

Special to The Canton News 

The Canton High School Tigers began the 2025 football season with a promising start under new head coach Dameon Brown, splitting their first two games as they prepared for district play.

The Tigers opened the season on August 29 with a 35–28 road win over Velma Jackson. In Brown’s debut as head coach, Canton overcame a scoreless first half to explode offensively in the second. Sophomore Jayden Cration provided the spark, with a pivotal 60-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass, putting the Tigers on the board and shifting momentum before halftime.

Canton’s offense caught fire in the third and fourth quarters, eventually building a 35–12 lead in the final period. Though Velma Jackson mounted a late comeback with two quick scores, the Tigers recovered an onside kick in the closing minutes to seal the win. The defense, which held Velma Jackson scoreless for most of the first half, bent but didn’t break, as the Tigers notched their first victory of the season.

Coach Brown, a Canton alumnus, said before the season that discipline and fundamentals would be key areas of focus for the team. The Tigers showed flashes of both in their opener but also revealed areas for improvement—particularly in closing out games and avoiding costly turnovers.

In their home opener on September 5, Canton hosted Terry High School, but fell 43–13 in a lopsided contest. The Tigers struggled to contain Terry’s offense, allowing six touchdowns. The loss dropped Canton to 1–1 on the season. Through two games, the Tigers had scored 48 points while giving up 71.

As of mid-September, Canton had not yet begun district play, leaving their region record at 0–0. The team will look to rebound as they move into the heart of their schedule and continue building under Coach Brown’s new leadership.

Despite the early challenges, the Tigers’ performance—especially in their season-opening win—offered glimpses of a competitive team capable of growth. With a young roster and new coaching direction, Canton will aim to tighten its defense, sustain offensive momentum, and turn early lessons into late-season success.