Canyons Football Has Seven Players Earn 2016 All-SCFA Honors

The Southern California Football Association (SCFA) has announced its 2016 All-League Teams, with seven players from College of the Canyons included among the honorees from the National Division, Northern League. 

Canyons was recognized with four players earning All-SCFA First-Team honors and three named to the Second-Team.

Included in the group of First Team selections are sophomore offensive lineman Tyler Bjorklund, freshman wide receiver Marquise Brown, freshman defensive lineman Dorian Gerald and sophomore punter Austin McKinney.

McKinney, who was a unanimous First-Team selection, finished the season with 55 punts for an average of 40.1 yards per kick to lead the Northern League. He also recorded a long kick of 56 yards, while helping to pin COC opponents behind the 20-yard line on 13 occasions.

Gerald had a spectacular freshman campaign for the Cougars, with the South Carolina native starting in all 11 games while recording a conference-leading 12 sacks and four forced fumbles. His 54 total tackles ranked second on the team and his 24 tackles for loss were a team best. 

Brown also had a strong season for the Cougars, highlighted by 12 total touchdowns (10 receiving, one kick return and one punt return) and 1,341 all-purpose yards in 10 games played. He finished the year with a team-high 50 receptions for 754 receiving yards, good for an average of 15.1 yards per catch. Brown also recorded 402 kick return yards for an average of 30.9 yards per return, and 182 punt return yards with an average of 20.2 yards per return.

Bjorkland, a two-year starter for the Cougars, turned in a string of dominant performances in 2016 while starting all 11 games at left tackle. His contributions on the offensive side helped COC runners amass a combined 1,333 yards on the ground and an average of 350.2 yards of total offense (121.2 rush yards/229 passing yards) each time out.

COC sophomore safety Blake Austin, freshman running back Tylan McBride and sophomore defensive tackle Sione Taufahema were each named All-SCFA Second Team.

Austin ranked fourth on the team with 48 total tackles in nine games, including 7.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded a fumble recovery and interception while providing ongoing leadership in the Canyons secondary.

McBride led the Cougars with 595 rushing yards on 114 carries, good for an average of 5.2 yards per carry. The speedy freshman also found the end zone five times, and added 14 receptions for 118 yards for an average of 8.4 yards per catch.

Taufahema, who also earned All-SCFA Second Team honors in 2015, finished his sophomore campaign with 24 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack from the nose tackle position.

—Jesse Munoz/COC Sports Information