BACK IN BLACK: Resurgent Plymouth holds off Canton, 24-20

It’s official: Plymouth’s football program is back.

Not all the way back, circa 2010, but the Wildcats are constructing an encouraging season under first-year Head Coach Matt Penn.

And while Canton isn’t quite back yet, it’s making some impressive strides.

On Friday night, on the field where the Wildcats and Cobras/Chiefs have orchestrated some classic showdowns, Plymouth persevered with a 24-20 victory over Canton to improve its record to 3-1.

Best start in 7 years

This is the Wildcats’ best start to a season since 2019 when it busted out to an 8-0 start.

Canton slipped to 1-3, but the Cobras have to be feeling better about themselves since their Week 1 setback to Livonia Churchill.

Plymouth exploded to a quick 14-0 lead on Friday thanks to a 2-yard keeper by quarterback Cullen Dixon and a 3-yard run by Xavier Williams (and two extra points from Cam Schlaud).

Canton answered with a solid drive that was capped with a 23-yard pass from quarterback Dylan Parrish to Liam Wilson to cut its deficit to 14-6.

Back and forth

The Wildcats extended their lead to 17-6 with a Schlaud field goal before Canton closed to within 17-14 on a 22-yard TD run by Elliott Patten and a successful two-point conversion pass from Parrish to Patten.

The two teams then exchanged touchdowns that put Plymouth ahead 24-20.

It initially appeared Canton may get one final possession to mount a late rally, but Schlaud (who doubled as the Wildcats’ punter) drew a roughing the punter penalty near midfield, which enabled the winners to run out the clock.

Plymouth faces perhaps its stiffest test to date on Friday when it hosts 4-0 and state-ranked Northville at 7 p.m.

Dixon was dual threat

Dixon was more than solid for Plymouth completing 11 of 23 passes for 119 yards. He also ran for 40 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Williams was the workhorse for the Wildcats’ offense, finishing with 28 carries for 90 yards.

Kaeden Moore and Andrae McSween enjoyed  big nights on both sides of the ball. Moore hauled in five passes for 55 yards and racked up four solo tackles and two assists on defeense.

McSween snatched three receptions — including back-to-back receptions that were nothing short of amazing — for 29 yards. He added one solo tackle and four assists on defense.

A lot of stars

Hayden Schultz, Drake Conte, Eldow Abdel-Rahman, Joel Dewberry, Gabe Watson and Gabe Reyes played well for Plymouth’s defense.

Parrish completed 6 of 16 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Patten ran for 87 yards on 10 carries and Alex Ryce picked up 20 yards on five carries.

Zion Malone and Jordan Banko spearheaded the Cobras’ defense.