Chatsworth Uses Durr’s Fumbles in 9-0 Victory

Chatsworth’s opportunistic defense set up both scores Friday night as the streaking Chancellors beat Canoga Park, 9-0, at Chatsworth to earn at least a share of the Sunset League championship.

Chatsworth converted two of Canoga Park running back Kenny Durr’s three fumbles into a 28-yard second-quarter field goal by Craig Spencer and a one-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run by junior running back Steven Smith.

It was a mistake-filled game not befitting its championship status as the two teams staggered and stumbled offensively as they combined for 135 penalty yards on 17 infractions.

But, as Chatsworth Coach Myron Gibford said afterward, “We got it done. That’s about all I can say. It wasn’t pretty, but we haven’t been pretty all year.”

Still, the Chancellors have won six straight since losing their first two games to Granada Hills and Cleveland.

Chatsworth, which shared the league title with Monroe last season, will take a 4-0 league record into its Sunset League finale against Monroe next week at Chatsworth.

Canoga Park (6-2 and 3-1) will meet Birmingham next week at Canoga Park.

Chatsworth set itself up to win the title outright with an inspired defensive effort that limited Canoga Park to nine rushing yards on 22 attempts, including seven quarterback sacks.

Right end John Dunn, especially, seemed to be in Canoga Park’s backfield as much as Tony Cantrell, Canoga Park’s quarterback. Dunn had three sacks, but even when he didn’t get to Cantrell for a tackle, he reminded the quarterback of his presence by plowing his shoulders into Cantrell’s ribs.

On several occasions, nobody blocked Dunn and he had a clear path to the quarterback.

Gibford said Dunn’s sole assignment was to go after Cantrell.

“They send a guy like that every year,” said Canoga Park Coach Ed McCarthy, “but I didn’t react. It was my fault. I didn’t do a very good job of coaching.”

Said Gibford: “We’ve got a great defense. We get opportunities. Our defense puts out a tremendous amount of pressure.”

It created an opportunity in the second quarter when Fred Lindsey recovered Durr’s first fumble at Canoga Park’s 31-yard line. Chatsworth drove to the 11 before Spencer gave them a 3-0 lead with his 28-yard field goal 3:51 before the end of the half.

Canoga Park drove 81 yards to Chatsworth’s 15-yard line in the fourth quarter before Cantrell was intercepted in the end zone by Cornelius Taylor.

Chatsworth then drove back down the field, but was stopped on downs at Canoga Park’s eight.

On the Hunters’ second play after taking possession, Cantrell threw a pass to Durr, who was carrying the ball with one hand when he was hit and fumbled as he attempted to avoid a tackler. Brett Ratcliffe of Chatsworth fell on the ball at the one-yard line.

Smith scored on the next play.

Maybe the sign behind the Canoga Park bench--”Hunter Football: Take It Away”--should have read: “Hunter Football: Give It Away.”

Not that Chatsworth didn’t earn it. The Chancellors’ offense never really got untracked, but it produced 209 total yards, which is more than its season average. Included were 106 passing yards by Rogelio Vargas and 63 rushing yards on 17 carries by Smith.

And the defense, which gave up 147 passing yards to Cantrell, came up with the big plays.

“We were sloppy,” Gibford said, “but we’re always sloppy. We still make lots of mistakes, but we’re making less mistakes.”

CHAT--FG Spencer 28

CHAT--Smith 1 run (kick failed)