OGDENSBURG — Controlling the ball meant controlling the ground and the game for Ogdensburg Free Academy against Canton in a rain-soaked Northern Conference football victory on Friday night.

After putting a series of early fumbles behind them, the Blue Devils used a wishbone offense and a dominant defense to secure a 34-6 victory and a 2-1 record for Friday’s home game with reigning Section 10 Class A champion Malone (2-0).

Malone’s early season showdown at Potsdam (2-0) was rescheduled for today because of rain and lightning as was Massena’s home game with St. Lawrence Central.

“Ball security was the key and we had to shift formations to the wishbone to gain ball security. The offensive line and the backs all blocked very well and our defense played well all night,” OFA coach Matt Tessmer said. “We had trouble early in the game with fumbles and Canton played tough. Now we have to get ready for a very strong opponent in Malone.”

The Devils capitalized on a bad snap in punt formation by Canton to open the scoring on a one-yard quarterback keeper by Nate Angel and Jake Garrison followed with the first of two PATs on night.

A fumble recovery by Thomas Lumbard set up what proved to be 0-3 Canton’s only scoring of the night on a two-yard run by tailback Peyton VanBibber (12 carries for 41 yards).

The fumble signaled OFA’s shift to a wishbone formation that immediately generated a ball control drive fueled by determined running of Zach Sharpe (9-80) and Jordan McCormick (13-91). The drive culminated with Alex Farrell racing 20 yards to the end zone on a misdirection play. Farrell scored the two-point conversion on the same play for a 15-6 halftime lead.

The Devils quickly pulled away as Sharpe broke free for a 27-yard touchdown run and Hunter Planty scored on a four-yard run in the third quarter.

The only scoring of the fourth quarter saw Dylan Hoover crossing the end zone on a one-yard run.

The OFA defense forced four turnovers as Kevin Goolden, Chandler Barney and Zach Barr recovered fumbles and Jon Tayler intercepted a pass. Garrison Barcomb and Nate Miller accounted Canton’s second and third fumble recovery of the first half.

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