BREA – Canyon has a shot now, and frankly, that’s all Comanches coach Mike Ogas wants.
Canyon was forced Friday morning to forfeit last week’s win over El Dorado for using a 14-year-old player who did not receive medical clearance to participate in varsity football.
The Comanches fell to 0-2 in the North Hills League as a result, making it virtually impossible for the Southern Division’s top-ranked team to qualify for the playoffs.
But shortly after Canyon’s forfeit, North Hills coaches gave Canyon a glimmer of hope as they informed the CIF-SS office the Comanches would be listed as the league’s No. 3 team – ahead of El Dorado – no matter Friday’s result.
Then Canyon went out and beat Brea Olinda. Charlie Treanor scored once and rushed for 218 yards, as the Comanches won, 26-0, Friday night at Brea Olinda High.
By winning and by being placed ahead of El Dorado in the league’s playoff order, Canyon’s chances of making into the playoffs as an at-large team improved significantly.
“The challenge was there,” Ogas said. “We saw how well (Brea) played last week, and we wanted to prove our defense was good, too. Our first shutout of the season, in Week 10. You work all year, and you finally get that doughnut.
“We have a special senior group, senior class. I’m super proud of them. Those kids can do anything.”
Brea Olinda and El Modena, which beat El Dorado, 19-13, on Friday, share the North Hills League championship. Both are guaranteed playoff admission, with Brea Olinda entering as the league’s No. 1 representative.
Canyon (5-5, 1-2) knows it still could miss the playoffs, but it has a chance to receive an at-large bid. The atl-large berths will be announced Sunday at 8 a.m., and the pairings will be come out a few hours later.
“All we can ask for is a seat at the table,” Ogas said. “If we get a seat at the table, I think we’ll be OK. … We don’t care who we have to play. We treated this game like a playoff game, and if we get a chance, we’ll come out next week with the same urgency.”
Brea Olinda (5-5, 2-1) fumbled early on an attempted hook-and-ladder. Canyon recovered, and Treanor scored on a short run five plays later.
Early in the second quarter, Canyon’s Max Meyers kicked a 33-yard field goal. He added a 35-yarder in the third quarter, and Trace Hobbs later scored on a 35-yard reception.
Brea Olinda went 1 for 11 on third down, punting 10 times. Running back Michael Martinson mustered only 40 yards, and quarterback Nick Drury completed only 9 of 19 pass attempts.
“Our kids rallied,” Ogas said. “Hats off to Brea Olinda. But hats off to our guys, too.”
Contact the writer: bwhitehead@ocregister.com
