Canyons Holds 12 Spots on SCFA All-Northern League Team, Three Named All-State, Gilmore an All-American

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

College of the Canyons had 11 players representing 12 spots, including four unanimous selections, named to the 2021 Southern California Football Association (SCFA) National Division, All-Northern League Team, while three players were named to the 2021 Region III All-California Community College Football Team.

Sophomore wide receiver Tiquan Gilmore was honored as a unanimous selection on the SCFA First-Team Offense as a wide receiver, and the First-Team Defense as a kick return specialist. Gilmore was joined by defensive tackle Taylor Lewis and offensive lineman Justice Spates as unanimous ALL-SCFA First-Team selections.

Gilmore, Lewis and Spates were also named to the Region III All-California Community College Football Team. Addiitonally, Gilmore was named to the 2021 California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA) All-American Team as an All-Purpose selection.

Gilmore finished the 2021 season with 31 receptions for 658 yards and 10 touchdowns, good for an average of 21.2 yards per catch. That touchdown total was No. 3 in the state. He also returned nine kicks for a total of 244 yards, an average of 17.5 per, with a long gain of 43.

Spates was a key component of a Cougar offensive line that helped churn up more than 4,000 yards of total offense, coming at a rate of 406.3 yards per game. Canyons averaged 29.7 points per game for the season.

Lewis anchored the interior defensive line with 18 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass break up.

COC sophomore defensive end Henry Ikahihifo, sophomore safety Joshua Madison and sophomore punt returner Trevon Elliott were each First-Team Defense selections.

Ikahihifo recorded 32 total tackles and 5.5 sacks, another 5.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and four pass breakups. 

Madison was fifth on the team with 35 total tackles to go with a forced fumble and interception. He also came away with four pass breakups.

Elliott returned 13 punts for 173 yards for an average of 13.3 yards per return, with a long gain of 38 yards. Elliott also added 21 catches for 269 yards and a touchdown on the offensive end.

Freshman wide receiver Calvin Littles was a Second-Team Offense selection for the Cougars after leading the team with 48 receptions and ranking second with 542 receiving yards. His three touchdowns tied for second on the team. 

Earning Second-Team Defense honors for Canyons were sophomore inside linebacker Jonathan Thomas, sophomore outside linebacker/defensive back Ahvie Harris, sophomore cornerback Abdul-Lateef Audu and sophomore safety Camron Bell.

Thomas led the Cougars with 69 total tackles including 46 solo takedowns. He added three sacks, eight tackles for loss a forced fumble and an interception with five pass break ups.

Harris registered 17 total tackles and an interception across nine games.

Audu was second in the state with 11 pass break ups. He added an interception and 22 total tackles in a season in which opposing offensives rarely threw to his side of the field.

Bell finished with 23 total tackles, an interception and three pass break ups.

Canyons finished the 2021 season with an 8-3 overall record and 3-2 mark in Northern League play. The Cougars qualified for the state playoffs for a third straight season (2018, 2019, 2021), and fourth overall under head coach Ted Iacenda. COC did not compete in 2020 due to cancellations brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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. 

—Photo by Dylan Stewart/1550 Sports