A case of the first-game jitters was in full effect for the Cougars in their season-opener against the visiting Antelope Valley Marauders on Saturday night, as College of the Canyons fumbled the ball six times – losing three – before riding the ship and cruising to a 27-17 win.
The Cougar defense was a force to be reckoned with all night long, as they held the Marauders to a measly 27 yards rushing on 27 carries, and COC quarterbacks Eric Brown and Justin Morales combined for 250 yards passing, one touchdown, and two scores on the ground.
It was the Cougars that scored first in the start of the new season, when Brown burst through the line early in the second quarter and dashed for a 11-yard touchdown. It was Brown again in the second, this time finding a speeding D.J. Stephens in stride with a 65-yard strike to give the Cougars a 14-0 lead.
Antelope Valley fought its way through tough Cougar resistance on the ground by turning to the air, as Marauder quarterback Josh Firm hit Terrence Wells on a 17-yard strike. The ensuing point-after attempt was blocked, and nearly returned by the Cougars for points, leaving the score at 14-6 at half.
The Marauders kept their momentum going to start the second half, marching 52 yards on seven plays that resulted in a 30-yard Benjamin Royce field goal, and a 14-9 score.
But the Cougars turned on the gas in the fourth quarter and pulled away. University of Idaho transfer Morales led COC on a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard scoring run by Morales himself, and a 21-9 lead. With the ball again late in the fourth quarter, the Cougars tacked on another score when Nick Hale barreled his way through the line on a 1-yard plunge. The PAT was no good, putting the score at 27-9. The Marauders caught COC napping late in the fourth, as Firm found Brandon Mims on a 23-yard touchdown pass, and, with a good 2-point conversion, a score of 27-17. An Antelope Valley onside attempt was no good, and the Cougars ran out the clock.
Cougar quarterback Eric Brown finished 11-of-21 for 155 yards and a score, and rushed for 36 yards and a score on 11 carries. Running back Nick Hale led the Cougars with 57 yards and a score on eight carries, while wide receiver Stephens shined with 118 yards receiving on five receptions, and a score.
Justin McKillop led the defense with five tackles, while Arron Fisher added four tackles and an interception, while Evan Harrington had two tackles and a sack of 13 yards.
