No. 5 College of the Canyons football started its 2022 campaign in winning fashion, with the Cougars posting a 44-13 road victory at Antelope Valley College on Saturday, Sept. 3, behind three first quarter scores and a stout defensive performance that included three interceptions.

Canyons (1-0) needed just 3:30 seconds to score its first touchdown of the season, a nine-yard scoring reception by Calvin Littles that came from Cougars quarterback Chayden Peery, capping a nine-play drive and setting the tone for the rest of the evening. Ty Morrison’s PAT made it a 7-0 score, the first of his six successful conversions in the game.

AVC (0-1) made some first quarter noise of its own when a bad snap led to Morrison’s first quarter punt attempt blocked and recovered by the Marauders on the COC 21-yard line. Two plays later it was quarterback Caden Hinton with a 14-yard touchdown run that eventually tied the game at 7-7.

On the ensuing possession, sophomore Jordan Anderson put the Cougars in business with a 50-yard kick return to the AVC 46-yard line. Three plays later it was Anderson on the other end of a 31-yard touchdown pass from Peery, moving COC ahead 14-7.

A quick three and out by the Cougars defense gave Canyons the ball back with 4:20 to go in the quarter, plenty of time for Peery and the offense to produce a nine-play scoring drive. This time it was running back Anthony Spearman finding pay dirt on three-yard plunge that put the game at 21-7 with :42 to go in the opening quarter.

Both teams struggled to find consistency in the second frame with the two sides trading interceptions on three straight possessions.

First it was Jeremiah Cox picking off Hinton and returning the ball 30-yards to the AVC 39-yard line. That turnover, the first of the game, was followed by COC quarterback Cam Fouts getting intercepted by Dazhon Sanders deep in Marauder territory to stall a potential Cougars’ scoring drive.

COC defensive back Semaj Williams then returned the favor with another interception of Hinton, this one cutting short an eight-play drive that have moved into the Cougars’ side of the field.

Hinton finished the game 12-of-23 for 60 yards and three interceptions. Warren Daryos also took snaps for the Marauders, going 5-of-5 for 53-yards and a second-half scoring drive.

Canyons took a 21-7 advantage into halftime then extended its hold on the game with a 16-yard scoring run from Damon Banks.

The scoring run was the first of two for Banks, which were sandwiched between a defensive safety by the Cougars and brought the score to 37-7 with 1:05 to go in the third quarter. Banks finished the game with 39 yards on six carries.

COC freshman Bryce Dickson added the exclamation point with the Cougars’ final scoring strike, an 87-yard touchdown pass to Tavious Jenkins that moved the game to 44-7 after Morrison’s final PAT of the evening.

Peery finished the game 12-of-19 for 134 and two touchdowns while leading the Cougars on five scoring drives. He also added 50 yards on eight carries with a long run of 27 yards. Those totals led Canyons in both categories.

AVC was able to convert early in the fourth quarter on a 28-yard pass from Daryos to Robert James. The Marauders then successfully converted the two-point attempt for what would be the final 44-13 score.

Amir Bankhead led Antelope Valley with 64 yards on 21 carries and added five catches for 32 yards through the air.

The Canyons defense was credited with six team tackles, a forced fumble and two tackles for loss, including the safety. Individually, sophomore linebacker Cole Bullock led the way with six total tackles, including one for loss.

Cairo Rhodes recorded the third interception for Canyons. Koy Mortensen finished with five solo takedowns, while Brian Snoek and Tylan Foster had four tackles each.

Littles finished the game with five catches for 35 yards, while Anderson ended his night with 178 all-purpose yards on his efforts rushing, receiving, and returning punts and kicks.

The Cougars started the season as the No. 5 ranked team according to the JC Athletic Bureau statewide coaches poll.

Canyons will now return to Cougar Stadium for its 2022 home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Southwestern College.

Stay up to date on all this season’s action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department.