Canyon shows its resiliency to top Foothill

Canyon's Trace Hobbs makes a touchdown catch against Foothill's defense during the first half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High.
Canyon's Luke Boyd loses his helmet as he tackles Foothill's Jared Copeland during the first half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High. Canyon won, 31-17.
Canyon's Charlie Treanor, center, celebrates with teammates Chris Tsirtsis, left, and Daniel Malinowski after returning an interception for a touchdown against Foothill during the second half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High. Canyon won, 31-17.
Foothill's Chris Reem makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Canyon's Josh Semaan during the second half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High. Canyon won, 31-17.
Canyon's Charlie Treanor battles for more yards against Foothill's Ezekiel Saldana during the second half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High. Canyon won, 31-17.
Canyon's Trace Hobbs leaps high for the catch against Foothill's Richard Barajas during the second half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High.
Canyon's Daniel Malinowski makes a diving tackle against Foothill's quarterback Preston Moebius during the second half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High. Canyon won, 31-17.
Canyon's Charlie Treanor battles for more yards against Foothill's defense during the first half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High.
Foothill's fans cheer for their team during Friday's nonleague football game against Canyon at Tustin High.
Canyon's fans cheer for their team during Friday's nonleague game against Foothill at Tustin High.
Canyon's fans cheer for their team during during Friday's nonleague game against Foothill at Tustin High.
Foothill's David Lopez eludes Canyon's Josh Tarango on his way to gaining additional yards during the first half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High.
Canyon's cheerleaders do 31 high-kicks for every point their team scored during Friday's nonleague game against Foothill at Tustin High. Canyon won, 31-17.
Canyon's Josh Semaan breaks up a pass intended for Foothill's Chris Reem during the first half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High.
Canyon's fans react to a play during Friday's nonleague game against Foothill at Tustin High.
Canyon's Avery Jones makes a diving tackle against Foothill's Preston Moebius during the first half of Friday's nonleague game at Tustin High.
Foothill's fans cheer for their team during Friday's nonleague game against Canyon at Tustin High.

By Tim Burt | Orange County Register

October 3, 2015 at 12:05 a.m.

TUSTIN – Just when it looked like Foothill might stage a second-half comeback, Canyon came through with a big fourth quarter to earn a 31-17 nonleague victory in a battle of Century Conference opponents Friday night at Tustin.

Canyon (3-2) sealed the victory over the Knights with two touchdowns in the final 5:14.

“We have a good team; I told these guys they were better than them and a few of them didn’t believe it,” said Canyon coach Mike Ogas. “We felt like we had a speed advantage against them.

“That’s a dang good football team we just beat and I’m super proud of these kids.”

Foothill is a member of the Century Conference’s Crestview League while Canyon is part of the North Hills League. Both teams could be headed to promising league campaigns.

Foothill (3-2) went ahead, 17-16, on a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Preston Moebius to Chris Reem with 8:15 left in the game.

Then, Canyon quarterback Jason Harman led the Comanches’ comeback, connecting with Michael Freeman on a 15-yard TD pass with 5:14 remaining to put Canyon ahead, 23-17.

Canyon sealed the victory when Charlie Treanor intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards for a score. Following a two-point conversion, Canyon held a 31-17 lead with 4:53 left.

Treanor also did some damage offensively, rushing for 120 yards.

Harmon threw three TD passes and compiled 278 yards in the air and 79 yards on the ground.

“It’s a huge win for us,” Harmon said. “Foothill is a very good team and we came out here and we felt we probably weren’t getting the respect that we probably deserved and hopefully this will do it for us.

“The line gave me a lot of time back there so I was able to go through all of my reads.”

Foothill led early, 3-0, on a 29-yard field goal by Evan Mickelson with 1:53 left in the first quarter.

But in the second quarter Harmon hooked up with Trace Hobbs on a pair of 31-yard touchdown passes to put the Comanches ahead, 13-3, at halftime.

In the second half, Foothill’s special teams helped turn the tide when the Knights blocked a punt on Canyon’s first possession. Foothill’s Boston Tanner recovered the ball on the Canyon 1-yard line and on the next play, Jared Copeland scored to cut the lead to 13-10.

Canyon moved out to a 16-10 lead on a 25-yard field goal by Max Meyers with 11:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Foothill was plagued by four turnovers and key penalties. Moebius rushed for 104 yards.

Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com