It’s difficult to say Canyon is an underdog
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Heading into Week 5, I’m still having trouble admitting Canyon is the underdog heading into its nonleague finale against Crespi.
Last year, the Cowboys were one of the most dominant football teams in the state and, even though graduation hit them pretty hard, I thought they’d be able maintain at least a good-sized chunk of their former luster. Unfortunately, Canyon is 1-3 after playing a hellfire-like schedule and last week’s 24-21 loss to Chaminade raised more than just a few eyebrows.
Still, considering who those losses were to, you have to figure the Cowboys as one of the upper-echelon teams in the Northern Division no matter what this week’s Southern Section poll says. They remain more than just a veiled threat, and Crespi Coach Jeremiah Ross isn’t underestimating their abilities.
“They’re the best 1-3 football team around,” Ross said. “We’ve been in that same boat before, so we know what it’s like.”
Canyon has had encouraging performances in every game it’s played, but a few mistakes against really talented teams have cost them. The Cowboys have had eight turnovers this season (on fumbles and interceptions) and while that’s not a huge number, you can’t do that against top-notch opponents such as St. Bonaventure or Notre Dame and expect to win.
QB Sean Gavin has looked very strong at times, but he has also thrown seven interceptions. Canyon is still trying to build a reliable running game behind a talented offensive line and RBs Jordan Ferguson and Aaron Dent. There are also some kinks that need to be ironed out on the defensive side, too.
Despite all of these hard-knock lessons, I think Canyon is getting better and the players definitely know what a victory or, at the very least, a strong performance against Crespi will say heading into their Foothill League showdown with Hart next week.
‘We’re expecting a fight against a very physical team,’ said Ross, whose Celts lost, 38-35, to Canyon in a nail-biter last season. ‘Obviously, a win against Canyon, no matter what their record is, would be great for our program.’
As for Crespi, look for another strong running attack spearheaded by Austin Shanks. E.J. Woods will also see more time running the ball now that he’s recovered from a ankle injury that limited his playing time against St. Bonny. And there’s always that Crespi defense that made St. Bonny RB Darrell Scott look like a mere mortal last week.
Also, this game will be available on Vootage.com.
One last thing: I want to give a special thanks to Brian MacGregor for the Crespi photo.
What: No. 5 Crespi (3-1) at Canyon (1-3)
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Crespi 35, Canyon 14
- Austin Knoblauch
