No. 10 Canyons Soars Past Host Antelope Valley 48-7

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

LANCASTER — No. 10 College of the Canyons used an overwhelming air assault to defeat host Antelope Valley College 48-7 on Saturday, with freshman quarterback Logan Scarlett accounting for five of the Cougars' seven passing touchdowns.

Canyons (4-1, 2-0) has now won four straight contests following its opening week loss, including back-to-back victories over National Division, Northern League opponents. The Cougars passed for a season-best 409 yards alongside the seven touchdowns with six unanswered scoring drives. 

After forcing the Marauders into a quick three and out on the game's first possession Scarlett and company took over, needing just one offensive snap to put points on the board. Scarlett's first scoring strike came by way of a 41-yard pitch and catch to wide receiver Ray Hall. COC's two-point conversion failed forcing Canyons to settle for a 6-0 lead. 

Antelope Valley (0-5, 0-2) took a brief 7-6 advantage with 10:15 to play in the opening quarter on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Sharmon Rester II to Omar Lopez. However, the Marauders would not score again in the contest.

The COC defense contained AVC to just 209 yards of total offense while limiting the Marauders to a 2-of-14 mark on third downs. Antelope Valley won the time of possession battle but was forced to punt on 10 occasions.

Scarlett's second touchdown toss went to Joseph Saenz, this time from a distance of 45 yards. Luis Rodriguez' PAT was good to put the score at 13-7 for the Cougars with 10:04 to go in the second quarter. 

Canyons went on to score twice more in the quarter with touchdown receptions by Chaz Hilst and Da'Marrie Smith. Hilst's 30-yard grab capped a quick three-play, 72-yard scoring drive, while Smith found the end zone, for the first time, on a 35-yard touchdown drive that required just one snap and pushed the score to 27-7 with 3:20 to go in the half. 

Smith was back at it to begin the third quarter, this time hauling in a 62-yard touchdown grab, his second of the game, from Scarlett on what was COC's third single-play scoring drive of the day. Following another Rodriguez PAT the Cougars were in full control at 34-7.

Scarlett finished the game 10-of-16 with 279 yards and the five touchdowns, with a long gain of 62 yards. 

COC quarterback Brady Welch entered the game late in the third quarter and wasted no time orchestrating a pair of his own scoring drives.

Welch was first able to hook up with Deandre Kermah on a 21-yard touchdown pass with under a minute to go in the third.

Jett McCullough's 40-yard touchdown reception from Welch with 11:35 remaining in the game capped the Cougars' scoring at 48-7.

Smith led the Canyons receivers with 97 yards on his two touchdown receptions. Hilst ended the game with two catches for 73 yards and Ray Hall was next with three catches for 56 yards.  

Welch was an efficient 4-for-5 for 96 yards in the game. Scarlett and Welch combined to connect with eight different receivers on a day in which the passing game pushed the Cougars to victory. 

On the defensive side of the ball it was Jackson Forté leading the Cougars with six total tackles including 2.5 for a loss. Ajani Smith and Tyrell Brown both ended with five total tackles. Brown's stat line also included 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Judah Plett forced a fumble in the game.

Canyons recorded 10 tackles for loss alongside five sacks in the game with Jackson Stein (.5 sack), Roderick Colquitt (1.5 sacks), Domata Peko Jr. (one sack), Nafitalai Nauvai (one sack) and Ahmad Fisher (one sack) all getting to the AVC quarterback and contributing to that stat category.

The Cougars now enter their week six bye but will continue conference play vs. El Camino College on Thursday, Oct. 17. That game is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. and will be preceded by the annual College of the Canyons Homecoming Celebration festivities beginning at 4 p.m.

Homecoming attendees will enjoy a variety of pre-game activities including: T-Shirt giveaway (first 500 fans), music, pre-game activities, lawn games and snacks, food and concession sales and halftime entertainment sponsored by the college's Associated Student Government (ASG) and student Inter-Club Council (ICC). Additionally, a variety of college departments and organizations will be on hand to provide information, demonstrations and giveaways. Electronic tickets are currently on sale now. 

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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.   

—Photo by Brooke Steedman / AVC Athletics