Cougars to Host Citrus College in Saturday’s Home Opener

Coming off a big week one win, the College of the Canyons football team will next face Citrus College at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Cougar Stadium.

The game will also be broadcast live on KHTS AM 1220. Listeners can access the live audio by clicking the 'Listen Live' located on the COC football home page, here, or by visiting www.hometownstation.com and clicking 'Listen Live.'

Last weekend head coach Ted Iacenda and the Cougars shook up both the national and state rankings by defeating defending California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Champion and No. 1 state ranked (No. 2 nationally ranked) Mt. SAC 30-6.

Canyons (1-0) has since jumped into the statewide rankings and will enter the contest as the No. 8 team in the state.

Meanwhile, sophomore quarterback Devon Dunn has been named the Southern California Football Association (SCFA) Northern League Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Mounties, which included a 17-of-35 passing night for 364 yards and three touchdowns.

Included among the highlights was a long scoring strike from Dunn to COC freshman wide receiver Nicholas Jones and a pair of scoring tosses to sophomore Vincent Strange.

Jones finished the game with four catches for 170 yards, including a long gain of 69 yards. Strange's eight catches and 172 receiving yards led the team in both categories.

COC freshman running back Kenny Torrence led the Cougars will 36 yards on the ground, capped off by a two-yard touchdown plunge late in the third quarter.

Sophomore linebacker Garrett Updegraft led the team with seven tackles, and sophomore safety Isaiah Foster, playing in his first game in nearly two years, had four tckles and two fourth quarter interceptions to help seal the victory.

Citrus College (0-1) opened its season last Saturday at home vs. No. 24 Palomar College, eventually falling 24-14 to the Comets.

In total, the Owls committed four turnovers and racked up more than 120 yards worth of penalties on their way to the loss.

Despite being shutout in the second half, the Citrus offense showcased a knack for throwing the ball.

Owl quarterback Brian Meyette finished the game 32-of-52 for 344 yards and two touchdowns. The freshman from Chino Hills also threw two interceptions.

Top receivers for Citrus included freshman Andre Long who led the Owls with five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, and Christian Beltran who hauled in five balls for 69 yards.

Owl running back Lawon Carney led the team with 18 yards on 11 carries. However, Citrus was limited to a net of just two rushing yards on the night.

Hart District Staff and Students Invited to COC Football Home Opener

The COC Athletics department is inviting all staff and students from the William S. Hart Union High School District to attend Saturday's COC football home opener at Cougar Stadium free of charge.

All Hart District staff and students who present a valid form of identification (student ID card, employee badge/ID, business card and corresponding ID) will be admitted to the game free of charge.

General admission tickets are $5. Kids 10 and under are free.

"We would like to show our appreciation for the tremendous amount of fan support we receive each season by inviting the community to come out and experience Cougar football," said COC head football coach Ted Iacenda.

Included on the 2015 COC roster are 22 players who attended a Hart district campus, with Canyon, Hart, Golden Valley, Saugus, West Ranch, Valencia each represented.