CANTON — Spirit is high but numbers are low as the Canton fooball team looks to bounce back from an 0-9 season in 2011.

“We’re down in numbers with about 23, a few guys decided not to come out, but we’re keeping it pretty positive,” said fourth-year head coach Austin Weakfall. “We have some good football players, but not a lot of depth.”

One of those good players is fourth-year starter Jay Proulx who will step in at quarterback while also seeing time at running back and receiver when quick sophomore scatback, Hunter Yeardon, runs the offense. Many Golden Bears, including Proulx, will be starting on both sides of the ball.

“Jay is a football player. He knows, he understands football and he’d like to play on the next level after high school,” Weakfall said.

Sophomore power-runner Peyton Vanbibber should be the Bears’ feature back this year, replacing the graduated Eb Foote in that capacity.

The Bears moved the ball very well in a season-ending loss to Section 7 power Saranac Lake last season and plan to continue changes in their offensive scheme implemented against the Red Storm.

Other Canton veterans include seniors Cody Peters (WR), Jonathan Pinckney (DL), Ricky Martin (RB) and Nathan Miller (FB/DL), along with juniors TJ Lumbard (OL/DL), Zach Markel (OL/DL), Ryan Denny (RB), Pat Thompson (OL/DL) and Dathon Thurber (WR/DB).

“TJ is a tough-nosed kid for us, we’re looking for big things from Ricky Martin,” Weakfall said.

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