Canby Herald Online

Cougars dismantle No. 3 Skyhawks

An efficient offense and stout defense key big nonleague win

• By: John Baker  
• Published: 9/18/2009 10:32:34 PM
• Last Updated: 9/24/2009 2:59:40 PM

Photo By: Ray HugheyNice touch
Canby quarterback Josh Yoder puts some touch on this pass in the first half of Friday's win over Southridge.

If rhythm is king, then the Canby High football team owns the dance floor.

The Cougars scored on their first five possessions and used a stout and physical defense to dominate defending state champion and third ranked Southridge 35-7 Friday night.
It was a performance that will open eyes around the state and stamped Canby as a team to reckoned with.

“It’s a great win,” said head coach Mike Doty. “We beat the defending state champs and that counts for something. They were 2-0 and ranked third. Our kids just come to play every Friday night.”

A week ago, the Cougars scored on its opening five possessions against Oregon City, the fact they did it again against the Skyhawks was even more impressive.

After forcing a punt from Southridge in the opening series, Canby launched a seven-play, 52-yard scoring drive that culminated in 24-yard romp by Bryan Takano on fourth and inches. He broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and was off to the races.

It was a play that set a tone that would last all night – the Cougars making plays when they had to.
After another force punt, Canby took the ball 80 yards in 15 plays for another score, this one on a Ricky Nanez two-yard scamper.

While the offense was carving out yardage in chunks, the defense was clamping down on the Skyhawks offense in a big way.
Up front, Zach Killgore, Hayden Sanders and Kyle Bartram were stuffing everything in the running game with help from Jordan Knigge, Make Raub and Marco Zamora. The Skyhawks running game was getting nothing and the passing game did little better.
In all, Southridge had 81 total first half yards, 54 of those on the ground.

“People talk about the offense, but our defense was very good tonight,” said Doty. “We have good speed and our linebackers fill real well and our defensive backs give great support. We use our hands well and play well as a unit. They were tremendous.”

Doty also applauded the defensive scheme of coordinator Mike Vaught and his staff on the defensive side. The kids, he said, are buying in and playing hard and that makes this defense formidable.
Southridge would have to agree.

While the defense was throttling Southridge’s offense, the Cougars tacked on a third score on a 12-play 84-yard drive that culminated in a Jordan Knigge 9-yard run around end with 1:43 to go in the half.

“We’ve had two very good offensive games in a row and we’ve really got a lot of weapons, particularly in the backfield,” said Doty. “Our number two offensive line is also moving the ball down the field, so we’re building depth in these games as well.”

Despite a three touchdown lead, any feelings of security were well-hidden. This was, after all, the defending state champs and there was still a half to play.

Canby didn’t bat an eye. Canby took the opening kickoff and calmly went about its business on a 12-play drive that covered 71 yards and pushed the lead to 28-0 on an Adam Bell one yard plunge.

The Skyhawks got a little something going right after that, battling the Canby defense as they moved down the field and pulled to within 28-7 one play into the fourth quarter on a Kyle Maginnis to Taylor Goodling hookup from 10 yards out.

The Southridge fans starting yelling and the Skyhawk players got a little bounce in their walk with nearly a full quarter to play. Any hope vanished four plays later as the Cougars, facing a fourth-and-five from their own 30, caught a break when the Skyhawks were flagged for an illegal substitution. The five yards gave Canby a first down by a foot and you knew what was coming next.

That’s right, on its fifth possession of the game, Canby took that break and delivered the final nail in the Skyhawk coffin – a 45-yard pitch and catch between quarterback Josh Yoder and wide receiver Cody Smith.
Any starch the Skyhawks had was now gone. It was a win, said Yoder, that this team could build on.

“We came out this week and practiced hard and knew they were going to be a good team,” Yoder said of Southridge. “We knew we had to protect the ball. Our backs did a good job of finding the holes, the line blocked really well and our receivers caught the ball. We need to keep doing the same things and keep working hard.”

Smith echoed his teammates sentiments, “We didn’t know what to expect, but knew they’d be a good team. We came out with a good attitude and just played our game.”
Looking ahead, the Cougars travel to Westview next week as the preseason process continues.

“We need to just keep working hard in practice and elevate our game, we need to keep people healthy and just keep improving as a team,” said Doty.

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