Canyon Passing Still Potent in Beating Loara

When Canyon decided to scrap the run-and-shoot for more traditional formations with two backs and three receivers, it was assumed the Comanches would be spending much of the season relearning how to run the ball.

But, as Canyon (2-1) showed Loara in a 35-12 victory in front of an estimated 1,500 at El Modena High, the reports of the death of the Comanche passing game are greatly exaggerated.

Canyon quarterback Craig Scott, throwing mainly crossing patterns and screens to running backs Kody Miller and Troy Mills, threw for three touchdowns--two of them to Miller--and 166 yards by completing 11 of 13 passes.

And when Scott wasn’t airmailing Loara’s first loss of the season, the Canyon offensive line created plenty of space for Mills, who rushed for 75 yards and two second-half touchdowns.

Loara Coach John deFries could only shake his head afterward.

“Physically they beat us up,” deFries said. “The score tells it all. And their quarterback executed very well; he was better than we expected.”

Canyon Coach Bob Hughes--whose team has scored 76 points in victories the past two weeks after a 21-14 opening loss to El Dorado--says this could be one of his better teams.

“This is a very good group of kids,” Hughes said. “I’ve thought since the beginning of the summer leagues they could be really good. I’d be very disappointed for them if they weren’t.”

Loara (2-1) opened the game impressively, taking the opening kickoff 61 yards in 11 plays. Fullback John Duhon ran the final 11 yards for the touchdown; the point-after kick was blocked.

But the Saxons, despite making yardage, never found the magic again until a meaningless 10-yard touchdown pass by Tony Diersing to Eddie Williams with less than a minute left in the game.

And Canyon--despite accruing 90 yards in penalties--found its spark in the second quarter behind the passing of Scott.

On the Comanches’ first scoring drive, with 2:28 left in the half, Scott found the visitors were vulnerable down the middle of the field after a 22-yard screen pass to Mills, and eventually connected with Justin Jackson on a 33-yard touchdown play. Matt Pangborn’s kick gave Canyon the lead for good, 7-6.