Ryan Catches Crescenta Valley by Surprise and Canyon Wins

Wide receiver Tim Ryan couldn’t have picked a better time for the first two touchdown catches of his life.

Ryan’s scoring receptions came within a two-minute span early in the fourth quarter to help Canyon High to a 21-10 victory over Crescenta Valley on Friday night at Canyon.

The Cowboys ended Crescenta Valley’s 14-game regular-season winning streak that stretched over three seasons.

The Cowboys (3-0) are off to their best start since 1990.

“We’ve played some good teams and we’ve got some tough games ahead,” Canyon Coach Larry Mohr said. “But I think there’s some real momentum going on here.”

In their first two games, the Cowboys relied on their rushing game. This time it was Ryan who provided the boost.

Canyon trailed, 10-7, after three quarters and quarterback Jason McKeon had completed only three of eight passes for 18 yards.

Then Ryan came to the rescue, making a 13-yard reception at the Crescenta Valley 17 on the first play of the final quarter.

He followed it up with a brilliant over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone on the next play to give Canyon its first lead.

After Crescenta Valley (2-1) was stopped on downs at its 44 on its next possession, McKeon and Ryan hooked up on a 44-yard touchdown pass on first down.

“I was wondering what it would feel like [to score] and after the second one it was just unreal,” Ryan said.

Crescenta Valley, which outgained Canyon, 329-218, dominated the first half.

The Falcons led, 10-7, at the half and it could have been worse.

Crescenta Valley drove 80 yards in 11 plays on their second possession of the game, only to have running back Bryan Henry lose a fumble on the Canyon goal line.

The Falcons scored in the second quarter on a 28-yard run by Derrel Furutani and a 23-yard field goal by John Barbaro for 10-0 lead.

Following a 54-yard kickoff return by Julio DeLeon, Canyon got its first points with 1:20 left in the half on a six-yard run by McKeon.

“We didn’t have field position in the second half,” Crescenta Valley Coach Alan Eberhart said. “Their [punter Pat Terry] did a good job of pinning us back and we could not move the football.”

Jimmy Perry had 89 yards rushing in 15 carries for Canyon.

Furutani rushed for 167 yards in 16 carries for the Falcons.