Canyon Feeling Run Down After Loss to Arroyo Grande

Canyon High was dealt a taste of its own medicine Friday night, losing its home opener to Arroyo Grande, 21-13, in a nonleague game at Canyon High.

Canyon (2-2), primarily a running team, gave up 347 rushing yards, most coming in the second half.

“They were bigger, faster and stronger,” Canyon Coach Larry Mohr said. “Our kids played hard like they always do. They were just knocking us off the ball.”

The Eagles (3-1), ranked No. 5 in Southern Section Division III, overcame a 13-7 halftime deficit to hand the Cowboys their second consecutive defeat.

Matt Gregory gained 110 of the Cowboys’ 126 rushing yards in 29 carries, and scored on a three-yard run that tied it, 7-7, in the second quarter. It was the third time in four games Gregory surpassed 100 yards.

The Cowboys dodged a bullet midway through the second quarter when Eagle running back Brian Queresma fumbled at the Canyon two-yard line. Canyon free safety LaMarr Vaultz recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback. The Cowboys marched 80 yards in 13 plays to take a 13-7 lead on the subsequent drive, capped by Luke Petticord’s quarterback sneak with 40 seconds left in the first half.

The Eagles tied it, 13-13, on an 11-yard Cory Lawrence run with 8:14 left in the third. Then took a 21-13 lead on Queresma’s one-yard run, capping a 67-yard drive on the first play of the fourth quarter.