El Dorado rolls over Canyon

ORANGE El Dorado football coach Jeff Bailey maintained a humble demeanor after his Golden Hawks rolled to a 42-6 victory over Canyon in a Century League game played Friday at El Modena High. 

"It's all about getting better each week," Bailey said. 

But the numbers put up by the Hawks are worth bragging about. 

El Dorado quarterback Kane Wilson completed 12 of 15 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns and ran for a score. 

Jay Mathews had four receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns as El Dorado (6-1, 2-0) turned what was hyped as potential close game into a one-sided affair.

El Dorado and Canyon are ranked No.1 and No. 2, respectively, in the CIF-SS Southwest Division. 

"It's a good marker of where we are in league play," Bailey said. "The stats are great … but the big stat is the win." 

On defense, El Dorado held running back Josh Hawkins, who had been averaging 195 yards per game, to 53 yards on 12 carries.

"We swarm to the ball," Bailey said of his defense. "We emphasis stopping the run and flying to the football." 

Canyon was able to convert on only one of six third downs in the first half. El Dorado came one play from notching back-to-back shutouts. 

Brenan Ghassemieh's 81-yard interception return for a score in the third quarter represented the only points for Canyon (6-1, 1-1). 

Before that, the Hawks hadn't allowed a score in six consecutive quarters. 

El Dorado is the only team in the Century League undefeated in league play.

Contact the writer: lponsi@ocregister.com