No. 10 Canyons Rebounds for 21-10 Win at No. 20 Allan Hancock

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

SANTA MARIA — No. 10 College of the Canyons took to the road for a 21-10 conference victory over No. 20 Allan Hancock College to bounce back from its week six home loss.

The Cougars (5-2, 3-1) were led by sophomore wide receiver Da'Marrie Smith who accounted for all three touchdowns on a day in which COC was forced to use three quarterbacks. Canyons also rushed for a season-best 145 yards on the day with freshman Donovan Dunn accounting for 73 yards on 15 attempts. Meanwhile, the Cougars' defense also limited Allan Hancock to just 182 yards of total offense and two scoring drives. The Bulldogs were just 2-of-10 on third down.  

Allan Hancock (3-4, 1-3) was first on the scoreboard with points coming in the form of a 27-yard field goal from kicker Chris Sapey with 13:22 to go in the opening quarter.

Following a blocked field goal attempt from COC kicker Luis Rodriguez the Cougars eventually scored their first points on a 24-yard touchdown toss from Brady Welch to Smith. Welch recorded three completions on the drive while also rushing for 15 yards. Rodriguez' PAT made it a 7-3 ballgame with 11:36 to play in the half. 

Later in the half Smith hauled in a 79-yard touchdown pass, this time from quarterback Luke Coleman, to cap a three-play scoring drive that pushed the score to 14-3. Smith ended the game with five catches for 115 yards, good for an average of 23 yards per reception. 

Coleman's final stat line saw the freshman finish 4-of-9 for 101 yards and the one touchdown. Welch was a similar 5-of-7 for 52 yards and the lone scoring strike.

The Bulldogs opened the second half scoring with a one-yard touchdown plunge from quarterback AJ Vele that kept things close at 14-10 after the PAT. That scoring drive came after the AHC special teams unit managed to block COC's punt from its own 40-yard line.

Following a Bulldog fumble and subsequent recovery from Ajani Smith, Canyons looked to Smith once more for the final exclamation point. This time the speedy sophomore took a handoff 35 yards to the end zone to put his side ahead 21-10 with 3:40 to go in the game.

On Allan Hancock's next drive Vele was picked off by Canyons linebacker Cain Omohundro. The Bulldogs would get another possession late in the fourth quarter, but once again it was Omohundro there to put an end to things with his second interception of the game.

Omohundro finished the game with nine total tackles and the pair of interceptions. Adam Geukens was the team leader with 10 total tackles, including one for loss, and a pass break up. Tony Testa also finished the contest with nine tackles.

Duhron Goodman did his part by forcing a pair of fumbles alongside eight total takedowns, including five solo stops. Ajani Smith, Dylan Flowers and Jackson Forté were all credited with fumble recoveries in the game. 

Canyons currently sits a game behind conference co-leaders Ventura College (6-1, 4-0) and El Camino (5-2, 4-0) in the SCFA National Division, Northern League standings.  

Up next, the Cougars return home to host Moorpark College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at Cougar Stadium. The day's events will also include a recognition of the college's 2004 National Championship football team.

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.