By Jessie Sawyer and John Fitts
Just before a thunderstorm rolled into Avon Thursday night, something historic happened to make Canton Warriors fans roar.
But for the Warriors, it was was more than the 16-13 win for Canton that made the game monumental.
Avon had the lead in the last play of the game, with eight seconds remaining, when Canton's Terrence Brophy received the hand-off from the Warriors' quarterback, Eric Scott around the six yard line, skirted past his Avon opponents and sealed the victory with a dramatic dive into the end zone before the clock expired, according to the Collinsville Press.
As Canton's second-year coach Paul Philippon told Patch on Friday, "it was like something you see in a movie."
Just before a thunderstorm rolled into Avon Thursday night, something historic happened to make Canton Warriors fans roar.
But for the Warriors, it was was more than the 16-13 win for Canton that made the game monumental.
Avon had the lead in the last play of the game, with eight seconds remaining, when Canton's Terrence Brophy received the hand-off from the Warriors' quarterback, Eric Scott around the six yard line, skirted past his Avon opponents and sealed the victory with a dramatic dive into the end zone before the clock expired, according to the Collinsville Press.
As Canton's second-year coach Paul Philippon told Patch on Friday, "it was like something you see in a movie."
"I think yesterday's game was like a microcosm of why people - for as long as they've existed — have loved competition," he said.
Philippon credited players on both team for working hard until the end. He also said the victory reinforces that message.
"It's a big win and it just reinforces to the kids what we can accomplish if we work hard and work together," he added.
Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It was also the first time Canton football defeated Avon, according to the Collinsville Press.
It looked like it was going to be a first victory for Avon in the team's season opener. Senior James Murphy scored the Falcons' first touchdown of the season, according to the Hartford Courant. Murphy was recognized as an All State athlete last season.New Avon varsity coach James Caouette expected the season opener to be difficult.
Caouette said that Avon has a rebuilding season ahead of it after graduating 19 players, including Gatorade Football Player of the Year Colin Moore. However, he characterizes this year's team as "a physical, tough football team."
The game was Caouette's debut as the new Avon varsity football coach. He takes the helm after last year's varsity coach Brett Quinion retired following the close of the football season.
"I am excited to be the new coach at Avon," Caouette wrote in an email to Patch, who said he has big shoes to fill replacing Quinion, praising Quinion's career in Avon.
He added, "I welcome the challenge. When I first got hired Brett was very helpful in terms of providing me with some information to make the transition a bit easier."
What would make Caouette a happy coach? It's not just about the football, he said.
"I want all of our players to be great students and citizens," Caouette said. "That would make me happy. As I mentioned about, we want to compete every week and make others earn it against us. Earning a conference championship and trip to the playoffs would be awesome."
See complete game coverage at the Collinsville Press. The site also contains season previews.
A special thank you to Debbie Sugar for the photo.
Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
