Canyon Still Unbeaten After 34-7 Victory Over Winless Magnolia

Canyon’s football team, off to the best start in school history, defeated Magnolia, 34-7, Friday night in a nonleague game at El Modena High.

Five players scored touchdowns for the Comanches (4-0). Magnolia is 0-4.

Coach Loren Shumer used two quarterbacks--junior Gunnar Strunz and sophomore Adam Hoover--to get his squad ready for Century League play in two weeks.

“Last year Gunnar had to come into the league opener with no experience after we lost our starter, and we don’t want to come in unprepared this season,” Shumer said.

Canyon scored late in the first quarter on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Strunz to Paul Bottiaux.

Magnolia tied the score on a one-yard run by Dennis McCown, who returned after missing two weeks because of an injury and carried 25 times for 86 yards.

The Comanches took the lead for good when Joel Reese scored from the 3-yard line with 2:49 left in the first half.

As Canyon took over the game, Hoover piloted a 25-yard scoring drive, set up by Jerrick Harper’s fumble recovery. Jim Rice scored from the 3-yard line, increasing Canyon’s lead to 20-7.

Hoover scored from one yard out and Strunz scored from the 3 to complete the scoring.

Canyon will face Estancia and Magnolia will meet Cypress in the final nonleague game for both schools next week.