College of the Canyons football closed out its 2024 campaign with an exciting 26-21 victory over Mt. San Jacinto College in the Southern California Football Association Jersey Mike’s Valencia Bowl at Cougar Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 24.

The Cougars (8-3) emerged victorious in a game that featured a two-touchdown performance from quarterback Owen Haughney, a highlight reel one-handed touchdown grab from wide receiver Joseph Saenz and a key fourth quarter forced fumble caused by Domata Peko Jr. that helped keep the Eagles grounded. Despite those exploits, Mt. San Jacinto (6-5) was in the ballgame until the final whistle, scoring a late fourth quarter touchdown before being turned away on back-to-back onside kick attempts.

COC was forced to play catch up nearly from the onset after Mt. JAC recovered a Cougars’ fumble on the game’s opening kickoff and quickly cashed in on an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Christian Kretz to Donte Sams. The PAT made it a 7-0 early lead with 11:24 to play in the quarter.

Canyons cut into that lead a few minutes later at 7-3 on Luis Rodriguez’ 41-yard field goal, that also extended the freshman’s position as the state’s top-scoring kicker.

COC doubled down with a touchdown toss to sophomore running back Donovan Dunn, who ran a wheel-route out of the backfield and took the pass 45 yards to the end zone, swinging all the momentum back to the Cougars’ sideline with 4:12 to go in the half.

Following a brief four-play Eagles drive that ended with a muffed punt, Canyons took over on the Mt. JAC 30-yard line. That was close enough for Haughney who quickly connected with Saenz in the corner of the end zone. Saenz’ one-handed catch appeared to be made with ease and brought the Cougars’ fans to their feet in support of what was now a 17-7 lead following another Rodriguez PAT.

Haughney finished the game 7-of-13 for 155 yards and the two touchdowns. He also rushed for 40 yards on 11 attempts with a long gain of 23 yards.

Dunn hauled in three catches for 60 yards and added 17 yards on the ground.

Rodriguez remained active with a 34-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the half to send Canyons into the locker room ahead 20-7.

The Eagles were able to put together a seven-play, 65-yard scoring drive to begin the third quarter. This time it was Kretz taking it in from three yards out to put the score at 20-14.

Kretz was recognized with offensive player of the game honors after finishing the contest 24-of-48 for 268 yards and two passing touchdowns alongside 92 rushing yards and the score on the ground. He also handled punting duties for the Eagles.

Saenz provided some additional fireworks for the Cougars with his second touchdown of the game, this time in the form of a 10-yard strike from quarterback Luke Coleman, that moved Canyons ahead 26-14 after Rodriguez had his PAT attempt blocked. The score capped a 10-play drive that chewed up nearly seven minutes off the clock.

Saenz finished with four catches for 49 yards and the two scores.

Mt. San Jacinto attempted to answer back with a sustained drive of its own and nearly achieved that goal, driving the ball down to the COC 20-yard line. On a key fourth-and-five play Kretz found an open receiver, but Peko Jr. was able to quickly track down the ball carrier and force the ball onto the turf. Jett McCuullough scooped up the loose ball to put the Cougars’ offense back in business.

The Eagles rallied behind Kretz for a final score with the signal caller finding Daniel Mendoza on a five-yard scoring play with 45 seconds to go in the game.

In what was a potentially disastrous turn off events Mt. JAC then appeared to recover an onside kick, but had that play overturned by an offside call against the Eagles. COC then recovered the second attempt and needed just one offensive snap to end the game.

Peko Jr. was named the defensive player of the game for a Canyons squad that recorded three sacks and eight tackles for loss.

Cain Omohundro led COC with six tackles including one for loss. Tyrell Brown finished with four total tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Tony Testa added two tackles for loss as part of his five total takedowns. Elijah Hall also had a sack in the game while JoJo Massey added half a sack alongside two tackles.

COC was making its second straight postseason bowl game appearance, and third since 2017. That year Canyons claimed a 28-16 victory over Mt. SAC in the Western State Bowl. The Cougars then qualified for the state playoffs in three straight seasons in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Canyons athletic programs did not compete in 2020 due to cancellations brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, Canyons competed in the Western State Bowl once again but were defeated by Citrus College

Prior to Sunday’s meeting, Canyons and Mt. JAC last squared off in the McDonalds Community College Bowl during the 1998 season, a year that marked the Cougars program’s return to community college football, with the Eagles able to emerge victorious from that contest.

Stay up to date on all this season’s action by visiting COCAthletics.com and on social media at @COCathletics on X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.