Freshman Canon Day accounted for five touchdowns in his first varsity start as the defending state champions opened the Class 6A football playoffs with a 42-7 victory over Dickson County.
It’s the second year in a row the Mustangs (9-2) opened the postseason with a win over the Cougars and was part of a second straight sweep by Region 8 teams over their Region 7 counterparts.
Impressive. But none more so than Day, who was thrust into starting duty after his older brother Chandler was injured in last week’s regular-season finale with Collierville. It’s uncertain when Chandler will be able to return.
But for now at least, Houston is in good hands with Canon.
“Obviously with a week of practice he was a little bit better,” said Houston coach James Thomas. “He looked poised out there and he made some incredible plays. Like I told the news last week, when you have a Day out there, you know you have a competitor.”
The talented Day had been getting reps at wide receiver for the last month or so in an effort to get him on the field. He and the offense took a while to get going in the 17-13 victory over Collierville that gave Houston the top seed from Region 8.
But they were firing from the get-go Friday.
Houston’s first play from scrimmage was a 55-yard pass from Day to Andre Allen down to the Dickson County 1. Celley Davis scored on the next play.
After a three-and-out, Day rolled to his left and found a wide-open Jonas Jimerson for a 62-yard touchdown that made it 14-0. On the next possession, he dropped a 63-yarder into the arms of D.J. Miller.
With not even seven minutes off the clock, Houston led 21-0.
“I was nervous at first but after that first play, all nerves went away,” said Day. “We had to take care of business. Win or go home and we had to take care of business. It was a rough performance against Collierville and this game will boost my confidence a little bit.”
The best highlight came late in the first quarter. Day dropped back to pass, was forced out of the pocket and reversed field twice before weaving down the sideline on a 53-yard scamper down to the 3. He did the honors himself on the next play.
Then in the second, he scored on a 30-yard run and just before halftime, found Miller again on a 26-yarder. For the game, he was 8 of 11 passing for 286 yards while also topping 100 on the ground.
“Even after the first day of practice (this week), you could tell he was way better,” said Thomas. “It takes timing, it takes time with the offense ... that one play where he made about 17 people miss, that’s what Canon Day can do for you.”
Houston’s opponent next week will be Bartlett, which traveled to Kirkwood as the third seed and returned home with a 44-7 victory.
Geron Johnson opened the scoring for the Panthers (7-3) before Alex McAlpin and Dylan Shannon teamed up for two touchdown passes, including a 52-yarder.... Click here to read full article
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