LEWISTON — Father Time has yet to catch up with Troy Canada.
While the aches and pains begin affecting most semipro football players at an early age, Canada still has a bounce in his step that most players never had. Saturday, the 38-year old Canada returned a pair of punts for long touchdowns to lead the Vermont Ice Storm to a 27-6 win over the Central Maine Shockers in a New England Football League game played at Lewiston Athletic Park.
The Ice Storm (4-1) drove down the field and scored on their first possession.
The nine-play, 48-yard drive was capped by a Chris Coppins three-yard plunge. After the Ice Storm stopped the ensuing drive by the Shockers (2-3), Canada went to work.
He fielded Zach Stewart’s punt at his own 34 and quickly got behind the wall that formed along the left side. He then turned the corner at the sideline and raced 66 yards to paydirt. Just for good measure, Rob Joy stuck Central Maine linebacker Kevin Do with crushing block to seal the way.
“Joy knocks people out on a regular basis,” said Vermont head coach Mike LaBarre, “Of the four hours we practice each week, we put at least one hour in on special teams. You don’t see that a lot at this level. It’s one of those aspects you miss.”
Canada’s second return came late in the third quarter after the Shockers defense had helped gain some valuable field position with the Ice Storm up 21-6. Stewart boomed a punt that bounced toward the sideline through the thick grass.
As the ball came to rest at his own 13 and just inches from the sideline, Canada picked it up and immediately headed to the far sideline.
He collected a couple of key blocks in gaining the corner and then outran the Shockers for an 87-yard score.
“The grass is so heavy here,” said Canada who honed his skills quite a few years ago playing for Ithaca College, “I knew not to give up on it and I knew if I got to the wall I’d be all set. Our team has been together for three years. I have to give them credit for being in the right spots.”
While Canada’s first score dealt the Shockers a staggering blow, his second scored a knockout.
“We have some growing pains,” said Central Maine head coach Matt McKenney.
“Defensively, we did a stand- up job. With special teams, we’re letting up too much yardage on returns. You can’t make a run at the playoffs by not playing well on special teams. We’re finding that out as we go through the ranks.”
The Shockers dominated play in the second quarter. A Stewart interception and subsequent 38-yard return in which he zigged, zagged and performed a nifty, 360-degree spin move set up a three-yard Troy Keach scoring run to close the gap to 14-6. Stewart turned in a solid performance at linebacker with an interception, a fumble recovery and two sacks.
On their next possession, quarterback Steve Coleman (7-for-25, 142 yards) hit wideout Jon McCabe for 21 yards and then connected with Nate Thibodeau down the middle for 32 yards to the Vermont 14. But two short runs by Marvin Langley (36 yards rushing) and a pair of incomplete passes left the Shockers with no points to show for their efforts.
After a six-yard scoring pass from Brad Ruderman (11-for-21, 120 yards) to Joy, the Shockers threatened again late in the quarter. A leaping, 40-yard grab by McCabe (five catches,118 yards) with just four seconds remaining in the half put Central Maine at the Vermont 4, but Coleman was sacked for a 14-yard loss on the final play before intermission.
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