By Nate Graham
For The Signal
It seemed like it was going to be déjà vu for Canyon High football on Friday at home as they took on Burbank.
The Cowboys were unable to cross the 50-yard line in the first quarter but figured it out in the final three, winning 14-6.
After an interception by free safety Henry Vera put the Cowboys on their own thirty-yard line, the offense never looked back.
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Junior quarterback Shawn Gallagher was also forced to rely on the run after seven of his eight passes were thrown incomplete. He ended the game scampering for 30 yards on 13 rushes and scoring the first Cowboys touchdown of the season on a three yard run off of Vera’s interception.
It was more of the ground game that helped carry Canyon (1-1) to victory as seniors Ryan Valdes and Taylor Tepesano combined for 158 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield.
“They’re gritty and a really good changeup crew,” said head coach Rich Gutierrez. “You have Ryan (Valdes) who’s more of a gritty hammer runner and then you have Tep (Tepesano) who’s more of a breakaway type runner.”
The Cowboys defense also turned it around after allowing Moorpark to score 41 points last week. It looked like a completely different defense this week holding the Bulldogs (1-1) under 250 total yards and limiting them to one touchdown, according to Gutierrez.
“We just try to continue to work on what we do. Moorpark is a pretty legit team so there’s definitely a difference, but I just thought the kids fought,” said Gutierrez. They had a good week of practice so I was really happy with them giving up six.”
Canyon will look to keep things going as they next take on Oxnard at home at 7 p.m.
