Canyon Has an Easy Time Against Orange

ORANGE — Canyon Coach Bob Hughes appeared bewildered after the Comanches’ 32-7 victory over Orange Friday night.

He was expecting a tight game between the Century League teams, and the last thing he expected was a one-sided game. Beating up on the Panthers and their well-respected coach, Dick Hill, was not in the Comanches’ game plan.

“I was scared to death going into this game,” Hughes said. “I kept saying, ‘This is not happening.’ I really expected the game to be a dogfight.”

Canyon (6-2, 3-0) took the fight out of Orange early. The Comanches scored three first-quarter touchdowns and led at halftime, 23-0.

Canyon, which clinched a playoff spot with the victory, needed just 1 minute 19 seconds to score its first touchdown.

Quarterback Craig Scott, who completed 14 of 21 passes for 225 yards, connected on a 13-yard pass to twin brother Chad Scott and then on 25-yard strike to tight end Eric Severson. Komron Tarkeshian then ran 17 yards through the defense for a 6-0 lead.

Orange (3-5, 1-2) started several drives impressively, but either sputtered near midfield or turned the ball over. Orange fumbled the ball three times. Those led to a touchdown and two field goals for Canyon.

After Canyon had increased its lead to 14-0 on a four-yard touchdown run by Tarkeshian, Orange running back Chance Perry lost a fumble at the Panthers’ 30.

After a false start penalty, Scott dropped back and hit Jermaine Montgomery on a slant, and Montgomery then broke two tackles for a 35-yard touchdown.

Canyon increased its lead to 23-0 on a 35-yard field goal by Scott Walker with one second left in the second quarter.