Hart Pumps Canyon Full of Holes, 41-21 : Renfro, Hart’s New Quarterback, Runs for Three Touchdowns, Passes for Two More

What was a two-quarterback show last year turned out to be a one-quarterback show this year.

Those who believed that the rivalry between Hart and Canyon highs had cooled with the departure of last year’s quarterbacks--Jim Bonds of Hart and Ken Sollom of Canyon--were proven wrong.

They underestimated the ability of Hart quarterback Darren Renfro.

Just as Canyon Coach Harry Welch feared, Renfro proved to be exceptionally fleet of foot. And just as Hart Coach Rick Scott had hoped, Renfro was exceptionally accurate.

Renfro, a senior and replacement for All-Southern Section quarterback Jim Bonds, dominated the game as Hart defeated Canyon, 41-21, before more than 8,000 fans at College of the Canyons.

Scrambling like a mailman dodging a pack of pit bulls, Renfro threw two touchdown passes and rushed for three more, while completing 16 of 23 passes for 265 yards.

“What did I tell you,” Scott said. “He’s going to be a great player.”

Said Renfro: “I’m happy, but I think I could have played better.” Prior to the game, Welch and Scott down-played the much-talked about rivalry in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“Look at our players,” Welch said. “They’re not jumping up and down. We’ve never prepared for a game that way.”

Said Scott: “The rivalry isn’t between us. It’s between the communities.”

But the rivalry proved able to treat fans to a good game--for one half anyway.

Hart took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards on 14 plays. Tailback Craig Whitten accounted for 34 yards on six carries. Renfro swept five yards for a score to give Hart a 7-0 lead six minutes into the game.

Thanks to Chris Peery, who returned the kickoff just past midfield, Canyon evened the score in less than a minute and a half. On Canyon’s first play from scrimmage, Peery, the fullback, burst through the middle for a 48-yard touchdown with 4:35 left in the quarter.

Tailback Cam Cross and Peery combined for 54 yards rushing as Canyon drove 76 yards on a 14-play drive midway through the second quarter to take a 14-7 lead. Cross dove for the final yard with 2:41 left in the half.

It took Renfro just 12 seconds to even the score. Tailback Craig Whitten streaked down the left sideline, gathered Renfro’s perfectly thrown spiral and raced for an 80-yard touchdown.

“That was the key play of the game,” Renfro said. “After they scored to make it 14-7, I thought we were in for a long game.”

Hart received the game’s first break when Cross fumbled on Canyon’s 38 and defensive end Jeff Trogan recovered. Six plays later, Renfro scored on an option from four yards.

“It was just like I said,” Welch said. “He’s got a good arm and good feet.”

Canyon quarterback Ric Gombos wasn’t as successful as Renfro. Gombos, a junior who was thrust into a staring role when Rod Baltau broke a finger three weeks ago, completed just 8 of 20 passes for 84 yards and was intercepted twice. Gombos was 1 for 7 in the first half.

Welch replaced Gombos with Baltau on the final play of the first half. But Baltau, who had a cast removed from his right hand last week, did not return.

“He wasn’t prepared to play,” Welch said.

Hart took control in the second half when Renfro hit Whitten with another touchdown pass, this time from 38 yards. Later, Renfro ran for a one-yard touchdown.