By Max Clark
For The Signal
Valencia High School got off to a fast start against Canyon High on Friday night, scoring a touchdown within the first minute of the game.
The Vikings (6-1, 3-0) kept their momentum going to earn a dominant 55-3 win over the Cowboys (1-7, 1-3) in Foothill League play.
It took just two plays for Valencia, ranked No. 29 in the Southern Section by MaxPreps, to score. After a 30-yard gain by running back Justin Pointer, quarterback Brady Bretthauer connected with wide receiver Nico Funez for a 35-yard touchdown. Bretthauer, who had thrown for five touchdowns and 470 yards in a win against Saugus the previous week, continued his strong play.
Despite the early success, the Vikings were plagued by penalties throughout the game.
“I didn’t like the way we played in the first half,” Valencia head coach Larry Muir said. “We made way too many mistakes. It wasn’t the football we’re accustomed to, but to the team’s credit, we really flipped it in the second half.”
Both teams committed penalties early in the game, but Valencia’s big-yardage plays helped overcome their mistakes. The Cowboys, on the other hand, couldn’t recover, and the game quickly got out of hand.
After a string of short possessions by both teams, Valencia started a drive at Canyon’s 45-yard line. On the first play, running back Brian Bonner broke free for a 45-yard touchdown, giving Valencia a 14-0 lead.
Canyon quarterback Julian Carlin, under pressure, threw off his back foot and was intercepted. The pick-six, returned by Valencia’s Logan Thompson, pushed the Vikings’ lead to 21-0.
The Cowboys tried to get back into the game, forcing the ball to running back Semaj Richardson, but the ensuing drive ended in a three-and-out. The Vikings did a solid job keeping Canyon playmakers Richardson and Keyshawn Wooten silent throughout the game. Neither player was able to get the big-yardage plays that the Cowboys were used to seeing.
Valencia’s Anthony Vernon returned the punt for a 35-yard gain, setting up the Vikings at the 22-yard line. After a sack by Canyon’s Travis Romero, Bretthauer connected with Matthew Steen on a bobbled 27-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-0.
With the game already out of reach, Valencia brought in freshman quarterback Evan McCalister to lead the offense. McCalister scrambled for a first down and connected with Funez for a 26-yard gain. Wide receiver Elias Holloway broke a tackle for a 20-yard gain, leading to Bonner’s second touchdown run of the half, making it 35-0.
“It was an opportunity to get both of [McCalister and Bretthauer] going and playing,” Muir said. “When you get McCalister in there, we don’t miss a beat. Bretthauer has done an unbelievable job mentoring him, so both of those guys have earned [playing time].”
With time winding down in the second quarter, Canyon found itself with favorable field position after a pair of 15-yard penalties by Valencia defenders. Richardson moved the Cowboys to the 10-yard line, but with just three seconds remaining in the half, Canyon opted for a field goal to make it 35-3.
“The penalties really come down to attitude,” Muir said. “You’re holding and grabbing, so now you’re not in position and get a facemask [penalty]. Again, we’re not playing our brand of football, and the attitude, effort, and discipline go along with that.”
The Cowboys’ miserable night worsened to start the third quarter. On third-and-long, Carlin tried to scramble but lost the ball. It was recovered in the end zone by Valencia’s Ryan Galvan, making it 42-3.
Desperate to get something going offensively, Canyon went for it on fourth down but came up short. Valencia took over in the red zone and quickly added another touchdown, increasing the lead to 49-3.
The Vikings’ defense got a quick stop and controlled the clock in the fourth quarter. After methodically moving down the field, Pointer capped off the scoring with a run to the outside to complete the 55-3 victory.
Valencia will travel to Golden Valley on Thursday at 7 p.m., hoping to keep the momentum going. Canyon will look to bounce back against Hart on Friday at 7 p.m.
