Canton Academy Picks Up First Win of Season

By Charlie Rook

After a difficult start to the season, Canton Academy bounced back Friday night with a 20-14 victory over East Rankin Academy.

The Panthers entered the game coming off a 42-0 loss to Tri-County Academy in their season opener. Canton Academy responded with a much better performance against East Rankin, holding the Patriots to 14 points and picking up its first win of the season.

The victory moves Canton Academy to 1-1 on the season and ends a tough start that saw the Panthers held scoreless in their opening game.

Canton Academy finished 4-7 last season but found success late in the year and earned a spot in the MAIS Class 2A playoffs. After splitting their first two games of 2026, the Panthers will look to begin building some of that same momentum.

Canton Academy returns home Friday night to face Indianola Academy. A win would give the Panthers their first winning record of the young season.