Santa Clarita Sports Report: October 26, 2015:

Santa Clarita High School Football

The most exciting game of the weekend was at College of the Canyons Friday night, a double overtime, 24-21 game between Golden Valley (1-2) and Hart (3-0).

Fans of both teams were on pins and needles as momentum swung back and forth all night, climaxing with a game-winning interception in the end zone from Hart standout defensive back AJ Stanley.

Stanley’s record-breaking fifth interception of the game saved the Indians perfect Foothill League record, but they did not leave Cougar Stadium unscathed. Quarterback Nick Moore exited the game late with a non-contact knee injury and he’s scheduled for an MRI this week according to Eric Sondheimer of the LA Times. Leading Foothill League rusher Nelson James also went down with a thigh injury and his current status is unknown.

Certainly not a consolation for devastating injuries, but the Indians have vaulted into 4th on the CIF-SS West Valley Divisional Rankings Poll after San Juan Hills (5th) and Upland (4th) both lost last Friday. Last week they were 6th.

Questions now arise for Golden Valley as they let a great opportunity slip away. Needing just three points to push the game to a third overtime with the ball on the six yard line, head coach Dan Kelley opted to throw the ball with Victor Corona (who had already thrown four interceptions with a fifth wiped out by a penalty)  instead of pound it with workhorse Jesse Camacho.

Hindsight is 20/20, but massive calls such as that are usually the difference between making the playoffs and being stuck on the couch at home.

Harry Welch Stadium hosted the KHTS Game of the Week at Canyon High School between the Saugus Centurions (2-1) and Canyon Cowboys (0-3), and it was all Centurions, smothering the Cowboys, 31-21.

The Centurions pulled away late in the 2nd half, and led 31-14 in the 4th quarter behind powerful running from Louis Eusebi and David Aubrey. The QB/HB duo combined for 171 on 26 carries and 3 touchdowns. Saugus controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, with the defense racking up a staggering ten sacks.

In a season filled with major disappointment, the Cowboys continue to spiral downward and Friday might have been the worst the team has looked yet. Mental miscues doomed them on both sides of the ball, with penalties extending two Saugus touchdown drives and killing several drives offensively.

Down 17-14 in the 3rd quarter and in the red zone, Markeill Taylor dropped a swing pass that resulted in a fumble due to it being a pass behind the LOS. With all the momentum on their side aiming for the go-ahead score, the feeling of the game changed in an instant.

Speaking of penalties, the Cowboys had 20 of them in the game for 125 yards. That’s right, 20 penalties.

The West Side Rivalry at Valencia High School was anything but, as the 3-0 Vikings embarrassed the West Ranch Wildcats (0-3), 44-6. Truth be told, it wasn’t even that close with the running clock in the 2nd half and Valencia’s foot off the gas.

West Ranch played to their average on defense, and that’s not a good thing. Giving up 44.2 ppg the last five games, the 44 was just par for the course for the Wildcats, who have had no answers for any Foothill League opponents.

Valencia looks like the six-time defending champions they are, and have not been tested at all in league play. The Vikings have put most games out of reach in the first half, outscoring Foothill League teams 73-7 after two quarters.

Mary Star of the Sea gave Trinity Classical Academy (4-3) a dose of reality in 11-man football Friday, blitzing the Knights, 48-14 in San Pedro. Ian Caddow made 22 tackles in the loss.

The old writer’s jinx bit Santa Clarita Christian Saturday night at Canyon, where the Cardinals dropped a crucial San Joaquin league game against the lowly Capistrano Valley Christian Eagles, 37-21. Classic trap game test for the Cardinals and they did not pass it with flying colors.

Now, the Cards must take care of business against 3-0 Saddleback Valley Christian to force a three-way tie atop the league standings.

COC Football

Fresh off a bye, the Canyons Cougars (6-1) got back on track after routing Allan Hancock, 42-24. The offense finally came alive for the Cougars, with sophomore quarterback Devon Dunn turning in his best performance of the season. Dunn completed 18 of 29 passes for 305 yards, and had four total touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing). COC remains undefeated in the Western State Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers

It was announced today that LA Lakers fan favorite and NBA champion Metta World Peace has made the 2015 Lakers opening day roster. The artist formerly known as Ron Artest completed his NBA comeback after stints in China and Italy. He last played in the NBA for the New York Knicks late in the 2013-14 season.

The 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the rest of the Lakers take the Staples Center court Wednesday night to open the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders, who was taken much too early at the age of 60, succumbing to cancer.

This is your place for Santa Clarita high school football news, if you have any news items about our teams to share please send them to jp@hometownstation.com and follow me @jallenpowell17 on Twitter.