No. 20 Canyons Falls 23-13 at No. 16 Ventura

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

VENTURA — No. 20 College of the Canyons fell 23-13 at the hands of conference foe Ventura College on Saturday, halting the momentum of the Cougars' two-game win streak to set up an all-important week 10 matchup vs. Long Beah City College.

Canyons (4-5, 2-2) spent much of the first half playing from behind as Ventura (6-3, 2-2) built an early 20-0 advantage. The Pirates scored with 8:08 to go in the first quarter on a Chris Reaves touchdown catch from quarterback Samuel Marquez, his first of three in the half. 

After a second straight three-and-out by the Cougars' offense Ventura again found pay dirt on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Marquez to Ja'ron Glenn, moving ahead 14-0 with 3:28 to go in the opening quarter.

On the ensuing drive Canyons quarterback Bryce Dickson was picked off at midfield by Dzjon Hall who returned the ball all the way down to the COC 25-yard line. Three plays later Marquez found Kevin Tate for a 17-yard score. The PAT was no good, but the Pirates were in control at 20-0. 

The Cougars finally got on the board with a 27-yard field goal off the foot of Ty Morrison with 3:12 to go in the half, which is where things stayed heading into the third quarter.

With COC starter Chayden Peery back under center to begin the second half the Cougars put together an eight-play drive but could get no further than midfield before being forced to punt.

Three plays later Semaj Williams picked off Marquez to put the Cougars offense back in business at the Ventura 23-yard line. The interception was the third of the season for Williams, one off the team lead.

A roughing the passer penalty against the Pirates brought the ball down to the VC 11-yard line. Facing a 4th-and-2 at the Ventura three-yard line Canyons turned to Koy Mortensen who fought his way into the end zone. Morrison's PAT brought the game to 20-10 and the Cougars seemed to have new life.

The Cougars' special teams added to the swing by forcing a Ventura fumble on the ensuing kickoff and recovering the ball at the Pirate 34-yard line. But after a five-play drive Morrison's field goal attempt went wide right. 

The COC defense added another takeaway when Victory Vaka strip-sacked VC quarterback JQ Brown allowing Jeremiah Cox to pounce on the loose ball.

This time the Cougars' 11-pay drive resulted in another Morrison field goal, this time from 24-yards to cap the momentous third quarter and draw within a score at 20-13.

Ventura controlled the ball for the majority of the fourth quarter and managed to chew 8:48 seconds off the clock with a 16-play drive that brought the ball all the way down to the Canyons four-yard line. VC would get no further after Tylan Foster forced, and recovered, a fumble after a two-yard loss on third down.

Canyons took over with 3:47 to go in the game but eventually turned the ball over on downs deep in its own territory after being forced to try to convert on a long 4th-and-13 play.

Ventura added an insurance field goal to push the score to 23-13 with 1:41 to go in the game. COC's final drive saw the Cougars move the ball to midfield before another incompletion on fourth down.

Peery finished the game 14-of-33 for 114 yards. Jakai Torres led the rushing attack with 35 yards on nine carries. Calvin Littles was the leading receiver for the second straight week, hauling in seven passes for 50 yards.

Cole Bullock finished with 13 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss to lead the COC defense. Will Maafu was next with seven tackles and Brian Snoek finished with six. Joshua Christopher has the other Canyons interception to go with five tackles. 

Despite the loss, Canyons is still in the running for at least a share of the SCFA National Division, Northern League championship. COC, Ventura, Allan Hancock, Bakersfield, East L.A. and Long Beach all share identical 2-2 conference records heading into the final week of the regular season.

Canyons will host Long Beach at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Cougar Stadium. Tickets are on sale now. The game will also be live streamed to fans free of charge via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network through a broadcast partnership with SoCalCollegeSports.com.

Additionally, Allan Hancock will travel to Bakersfield for a 4 p.m. start and East L.A will host Ventura College at 6 p.m. in week 10 SCFA action.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

—Dylan Stewart/1550 Sports