BRADFORD – The Bradford Football Team was presented with an American flag by Sergeant First Class Brian Clum of the Ohio Army National Guard on Thursday.

“It feels good to present to them today,” Clum said. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to do that with the team.”

Flown on an aviation mission by Ohio’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan, the flag was presented to Bradford High School because of its participation in Operation Buckeye Guard. OBG is a grass roots movement where Ohio high school football teams promote patriotic helmet decals to show their support for the men and women of the Ohio National Guard.

Bradford High School and over 370 other high schools statewide are participating in Operation Buckeye Guard in 2012.

James Canan was also presented with the National Guard Player of the Week award for his performance against National Trail on Sept. 8.

For Canaan and the Bradford team, it was a game they won’t soon forget.

During their third match-up of the season, Bradford out-scored National Trail 61-41.

Canan had seven touch-downs, and rocketed over the 1,000-yard mark in just the third game of the season.

“It was a pretty good game, a tough game,” Canan said. “It went down close to the end. I had some good holes and nice blocking. I did what I had to do. We all did.”

By the end of the night Canan rushed 32 times for a total of 455 yards, breaking the single game rushing record at Bradford.

Canan was thankful for the award and wished to recognize his team’s contributions as well.

“It’s pretty awesome. I’ve got to thank my teammates first, they helped me get this far,” Canan said. “And we’re doing pretty good right now, we’re winning. And that’s all that matter to me.”

Canan has brothers serving in the armed forces, and said its helped teach him the value of teamwork.

Clum also presented coins to each team member that completed the National Guard Boot Camp over the summer.