Half of Matter Is Enough for Hart

It was all a Matter of Hart when the Santa Clarita Valley’s oldest rivalry was renewed Thursday night at College of the Canyons.

Junior Kyle Matter, who should be the latest in Hart High’s string of All-Southern Section quarterbacks, completed all 10 of his passes for 234 yards and five touchdowns in the first half to lead the Indians to a 55-8 rout of Canyon.

Hart (10-0, 5-0) won its 43rd consecutive Foothill League game and wrapped up its ninth league title in a row.

The Indians finished the regular season undefeated for the third time in the last 10 years and reached their season average of 42 points by halftime. Hart was also unbeaten in ’92 and ’94.

Matter threw a shovel pass to Tim Gregory for an 11-yard touchdown on Hart’s second play from scrimmage. He added scoring strikes of nine, 14, two and 34 yards, giving him 41 touchdown passes this season.

He returned briefly to engineer Hart’s first scoring drive of the second half, which ended on Gregory’s 66-yard touchdown run.

“I don’t care if I play in the second half or not,” Matter said. “I like seeing my teammates get a chance to play. That means I’ve done my job.”

Jared Bazar caught three passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns for Hart, upping his season totals to 48 receptions and 13 touchdowns. He also scored on a 61-yard punt return.

Indian receiver Chris Ciccone caught four passes for 57 yards and one touchdown. Gregory finished with 124 yards rushing in five carries.

After falling and breaking his ankle on the sidelines during last week’s game against Valencia, Canyon Coach Jack Bowman watched the game from the press box.

The Cowboys (3-7, 2-3), who lost their two best running backs to academic ineligibility last week, scored their lone touchdown on a six-yard run by sophomore Mark Barr late in the fourth quarter to complete a 15-play, 78-yard drive.

Bowman was the last Foothill League coach to beat Hart when he was with Saugus in 1991.

Hart, ranked No. 1 in Southern Section Division III, has won the last nine meetings and 12 of 13 against Canyon. The Indians hold a 20-11 series lead. Canyon last defeated Hart in 1990.