Canyon Finds Going Tough in 42-6 Loss

As the third quarter drew to a close, and the Canyon High football team trotted to the opposite end of the field, the school band broke into a lackluster rendition of the theme from “Rocky.”

But the band’s attempt to fire up the Cowboys was far too little, far too late.

The Cowboys, with three Southern Section championships in the past five years, have been accustomed to punching out opponents. But Friday night at Hueneme High, the Cowboys found themselves in the unusual role of punching bag.

With the skill and finesse of an accomplished boxer, the Channel Islands offense trapped, countered, rolled out and rolled over Canyon, 42-6, in the semifinal round of the Coastal Conference playoffs.

Channel Islands (11-2) wil play Marmonte League rival Thousand Oaks for the championship next week. Thousand Oaks, which defeated Antelope Valley, 34-14, Friday, beat Channel Islands, 27-6, in the regular season.

The defeat was the largest in Coach Harry Welch’s six years at Canyon.

“I don’t have anything to say about tonight,” Welch said. “It was a wonderful year and I’m exceptionally proud of these kids.”

Led by tailback John Johnson, who rushed for 223 yards and 4 touchdowns in 15 carries, Channel Islands confused the Cowboys with a diverse running attack that sent backs in opposite directions with Canyon defenders often tackling the one without the ball.

Channel Islands took a 7-0 lead on its second play from scrimmage. Johnson raced 68 yards around left end for the first of his four touchdowns. He also scored on runs of 57, 24 and 50 yards.

Canyon quarterback Rod Baltau, who completed 11 of 19 passes for 130 yards and an interception, was sacked five times for 25 yards. Baltau scored Canyon’s lone touchdown on a six-yard run in the fourth quarter. Chris Peery ran for 47 yards in nine carries.