Boot Camp: New coach, strong defensive experience has Canton excited for season

CANTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — The Canton Little Giants want to hang their hats on their defense this year.

Canton has a new coach, a big senior class, and lots of experience on the defensive side of the football.

Nick McCormick, who spent the past six years as an assistant coach at IVC, is the new head coach. And he has 25 seniors helping make his transition to his new team a smooth one.

He also thinks his defense is shining in this preseason.

“Defense is where we feel we have the most starters back and the most experience,” said McCormick. “It’s really our goal to try and lean on them and play ball control offense. Hopefully, that will put us in a good spot at the end of games.”

Canton defensive coordinator Wyatt Mason is in his second year overseeing that unit. He has returners Dane Watts and Greg Brooks on his defensive line and Trevor Taff at linebacker.

Senior Colin Johnson and junior Lakon Otto are splitting time at quarterback. McCormick thinks running back Keiton Lancaster and receiver Braxton Rock are ripe for big seasons.

But Canton’s success may rest with its defense.

“Our defense has been putting in a lot of work and made some changes. We have a lot of returning starters on the defense. I think it will be good for us,” said Watts. “We have a lot coming back, getting a lot more experience on the defensive side.”

Canton opens the season at Eureka on Aug. 30.

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