Following a home loss to Riverside City College last week, the Cougars hosted the No.18 ranked Pasadena City College for the National Central League home opener.
In the end, College of the Canyons defeated Pasadena City College 20-14 for its first win of the season.
“They came out on Monday ready to get better, ready to be coached and ready to work just believing and fighting,” Cougars head coach Ted Iacenda said. “And we came out and did what we were supposed to and got the win and I’m so proud of these kids.”
After losing last week at home in a shootout, the Cougars’ offense carried over to this week with COC not wasting any time scoring on its first drive.
Cougars’ running back Isaiah Rameau broke off for a 38-yard rushing touchdown to secure the first scoring play of the game for COC.
And on the Cougars’ next offensive drive, quarterback Jazel Riley connected with Cole Crawford for an 81-yard touchdown pass as COC extended its lead over Pasadena City College, 13-0 in the opening quarter.
Throughout the first half, the Lancers were unable to score. With seven minutes left to go in the first half, the Lancers had possession on the Cougars’ 13-yard line and attempted a 30-yard field goal that went wide right.
And on the following drive, Rameau scored again for the Cougars on a 60-yard touchdown run as COC extended its lead over Pasadena, 20-0.
“The front side wasn’t open, so I had to hit the cutback,” Rameau said. “The backer flowed to me, and I just had to give him a little move and get outside, and I beat him on speed.”
Rameau’s 60-yard rush was his longest play of the game, and the sophomore back would finish the game with 188 yards on 18 carries.
“Today I really wanted 200 but I got 188,” Rameau said. “I don’t like being complacent, so I just feel like I could have did more. I still feel good about it, we got the win and that’s all that matters.”
With two minutes left to go in the first half, Mylan Walker picked off Lancers’ quarterback Xavier Buckles and shut out Pasadena going into halftime.
In the third quarter, both teams put up a defensive showcase with neither able to get into the red zone.
But on the final play of the quarter, Lancers’ quarterback Max Grizzell threw a touchdown pass to Cam Mitchell for 36 yards as Pasadena cut into the Cougars’ lead going into the fourth quarter.
With a 20-7 lead, the Lancers’ offense drove down the field to the Cougars red zone. And on fourth and 10, COC’s defense forced an incomplete pass and took over possession on their own 20-yard line.
And in the final minutes of the game, Xavier Perry intercepted Grizzell as the Lancers were creeping toward the goal line for another scoring opportunity.
“I was all game waiting patiently,” Perry said. “I was watching film and saw they loved going deep. The quarterback chucked it up and I played center field and made the catch.”
The Cougars ran the clock down in the fourth and secured their first win of the new season at home.
After the game, Iacenda told his team he’s proud of his team for rebounding this week and that a big win over a conference opponent can go a long way toward the standings at the end of the year.
“This win is huge. We’re in the toughest conference in Southern California.” Iacenda said. “We have the most winning percentage teams in Southern California, so this conference is going to be the toughest no doubt. So, to lead it off with a win against a well-coached Pasadena football team is nothing short of spectacular.”
Moving forward, Iacenda is ready for what the rest of the season has to offer now that the team has its first win under their belt, he believes the momentum is now on his team’s side.
“Our momentum was not on our side after those first three weeks,” Iacenda said. “We easily could have gone, ‘Oh well, we’re probably going to lose this game.’ But no, our kids came out and battled, they believed, and we fought.”
The Cougars play again Saturday on the road at Cerritos College with the game set to kick off at 6 p.m.
