DAVID KAPITAN

The Canton Eagles took a massive step towards the kickoff of the 2022 season last week, competing in their first scrimmage against an opponent not dressed in green and white Aug. 12 against White Oak.

The road to the regular season will not get much easier in the week ahead with the Eagles scheduled to scrimmage in Gladewater against the Bears tonight (Aug. 18) beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Norris Birdwell Stadium The Bears have been a model of consistency over the past four seasons, going 12-2 in 2018, 10-4 in 2019, 8-3 in 2020 and 9-3 in 2021.

Last season, Gladewater notched playoff wins over both Bonham (49-10) and Grandview (49-21) before falling to Mount Vernon in the Regional Quarterfinals (40-14).

The Bears will call District 6-3A home for each of the next two seasons, taking on a slate that will include Atlanta, Jefferson, Sabine, Tatum and White Oak.

Canton will start the regular season on the road in Mineola Aug. 26 against an always dangerous Yellowjacket squad before returning home to host Winnsboro Sept. 2.