Ray’s 5 TD night enables Canton to top Jacksonville 41-21
Published 3:27 am Saturday, August 29, 2026
JACKSONVILLE – Canton rallied to defeat Jacksonville 41-21 Friday at the Historic Tomato Bowl in the season lid lifter for both teams.
Eagle quarterback Cort Ray sparked his team by throwing four touchdown passes and running for another.
Ray completed 17-of-28 pass attempts for 259 yards. He also gave up a pair of interceptions.
Ray also ran the ball 11 times for 45 yards.
The loss was the 19th straight for the Indians – Jacksonville’s last win came on Sept. 6, 2024, when the Tribe beat Brownsboro 35-7.
Jacksonville raced out to a 14-0 lead with 9:59 to go in the first quarter.
Email newsletter signup
Sophomore Dez Whitaker, playing in his first varsity game, intercepted a Canton pass and returned it 12 yards for the Indians’ second touchdown of the period.
Whitaker hurled a 69-yard scoring strike to Ja’Qualyn Holman on a halfback pass that caught the Eagle defense off guard, which enabled the home team to draw first blood.
The score came with 10:35 to go in the first frame.
Canton led 20-14 at halftime after Ray connected with Trey Martin for a 47-yard touchdown that came with :55 to go in the opening half.
Martin’s touchdown grab came on an acrobatic catch in traffic that took place near the right-front pylon.
Despite the defeat, the Tribe led as late the 4:14 mark of the third stanza.
That’s when Jacksonville quarterback Trent Clater found Christian McGowan open in the middle of the field.
The play resulted in a 44-yard catch and run for six points.
After Turner Wade’s point after touchdown, the Tribe moved in front, 21-20.
Clater completed 20 of 34 pass attempts for 195 yards. He tossed one touchdown and was picked off twice.
Canton scored the final three touchdowns of the evening to win going away.
Jake Robinson had touchdown grabs covering 12 and 8 yards, respectively, in the second half for Canton.
Canton racked up 151 yards rushing compared to the Indians’ 93.
Both teams will continue non-district play Friday. Jacksonville will travel to Dallas Kimball, while the Eagles are scheduled to entertain Commerce.