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CANYONS STUNG BY INJURIES.


Byline: Scott Magoloff Staff Writer

Few could have predicted the type of season that College of the Canyons' football team had during the program's rebirth re·birth  
n.
1. A second or new birth; reincarnation.

2. A renaissance; a revival: a rebirth of classicism in architecture.
 last year. After a 17-year hiatus hiatus /hi·a·tus/ (hi-a´tus) [L.] an opening, gap, or cleft.hia´tal

aortic hiatus  the opening in the diaphragm through which the aorta and thoracic duct pass.
, Chuck Lyon guided the Cougars to a 7-4 record and a McDonald's Bowl appearance.

This season has been just about as improbable, but for different reasons.

Injuries have hampered COC See chip on chip.  (3-2, 1-2) all season and are still wreaking havoc. All-Western State Conference offensive lineman Jon Bondarczuk continues to improve, suffering from bone spurs Bone spur
Also called an osteophyte, it is an outgrowth or ridge that forms on a bone.

Mentioned in: Cervical Disk Disease, Cervical Spondylosis

bone spur 
 in his heels. Fellow offensive lineman Iona Fuamatu has been limited all season with a cumbersome cast on his broken right hand. Tackle Jason Youngs' stalwart Stalwart

A description of companies that have large capitalizations and provide investors with slow but steady and dependable growth prospects.

Notes:
The annual gain that would be viewed as the norm for investing in stalwarts is about 10% to 12%.
 play has been a nice constant.

The biggest blow was dealt during the rabid game against rival Antelope Valley College Antelope Valley College is a comprehensive community college located in Lancaster, California, USA. It is operated by the Antelope Valley Community College District, with a primary service area of 1,945 square miles covering portions of Los Angeles and Kern counties.  in the second week of the season, when starting quarterback Travis Winn was injured in·jure  
tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures
1. To cause physical harm to; hurt.

2. To cause damage to; impair.

3.
 and possibly lost for the year. He took a hit as he released a pass and landed awkwardly on his shoulder.

Losing a starting quarterback is always difficult to overcome. It hurts more when the offense is pass-oriented. But backup Chris Kobe, who quit the team for a period at the start of the season, stepped in and was named co-offensive player of the week two weeks ago. In three games, Kobe has completed 51 of 82 passes for 723 yards and nine touchdowns.

In the last two games, Kobe has led the offense to a combined 1,059 offensive yards and 109 points.

With Winn awaiting results from an MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface.
, Lyon said that if he not return within the next two weeks he would advise him to take a medical redshirt.

Canyons has discovered a pair of explosive running backs in freshmen Steve Smith (53 carries, 319 yards) and Major Caldwell (39 carries, 239 yards).

The defense has been the driving force for the team, despite the gaudy numbers posted by the offense (405 yards per game). Hart graduate Todd Hourigan is the team leader in tackles from his middle linebacker spot.

Hourigan, who centers a fierce linebacking unit with Kevin Giberson and Sean Cogswell, has also been injured, suffering from a concussion concussion

Period of nervous-function impairment that results from relatively mild brain injury, often with no bleeding in the cerebral cortex. It causes brief unconsciousness, followed by mental confusion and physical difficulties.
 a few weeks ago. He hasn't missed any games.

The real question with the defense lies within the secondary, which has been torched for 301 passing yards per game. The dismissal of defensive back Jason Ascencio for violating team rules can't help matters. Still, safety Brandon Braga is among team leaders in tackles and has fared well in pass coverage.

The defensive line, which showed vast improvements in COC's 59-20 win against Pierce last week, must continue to increase the pressure it puts on opposing quarterbacks.

Kobe has shown he is more than capable of running COC's offense. If anything, the only positive coming out of Winn's injury was that it occurred early in the season, allowing Kobe to grow into the offense.

This off-week of preparation provides Kobe some extra time to work on the offense. The respite should also allow defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a football team in the National Football League or college football who is in charge of the defense. This position aids the head coach a great deal in many ways by delegating play calling to other coaches and allowing the head  Leon Criner to continue his work with the defensive line and defensive backs.

Although the obstacles have been many and the outlook not so bright at times, COC must simply look back at its accomplishments from last year for motivation during the remainder of this season.

Midseason report card

QUARTERBACKS: A(-)

Travis Winn started the season strong and Chris Kobe continued when Winn was injured in Week 2. Kobe is likely the starter for the rest of the year, barring a miraculous mi·rac·u·lous  
adj.
1. Of the nature of a miracle; preternatural.

2. So astounding as to suggest a miracle; phenomenal: a miraculous recovery; a miraculous escape.

3.
 recovery from Winn.

RUNNING BACKS: A

Steve Smith and/or Major Caldwell can get it done any week.

RECEIVERS: A

Led by all-conference Mark Hamilton Mark Hamilton may refer to:
  • Mark Hamilton (bassist), bass guitarist for the Northern Irish alternative rock band Ash
  • Mark Hamilton (President), President of the University of Alaska system
  • Dr. Mark Hamilton, a radio show host
 (26 catches, 477 yards, 6 TDs), COC's five receivers show they belong in a spread offense.

OFFENSIVE LINE: B(-)

Struggled through injuries early, but getting healthier. In the last few weeks, this unit has improved greatly, as Jon Bondarczuk and Iona Fuamatu heal. Tackle Jason Youngs will go Division I next year.

DEFENSIVE LINE: C(-)plus

Joe Dunster's move from LB to DE this season has worked well (he had 3-1/2 sacks last week). The rest of the line needs to attack the quarterback like that.

LINEBACKERS: A

Perhaps the best group of LBs in the conference. Freshman Todd Hourigan leads, alongside Kevin Giberson and Sean Cogswell.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: C

It might not be entirely the fault of the DBs, but COC's defense has given up way too many passing yards (1,506).

SPECIAL TEAMS: C(-)plus

Grade would be higher if punting were more consistent. Ricky Zeller has been a spark as a punt returner Punt returner (PR) is a position on special teams in American football. Description
The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position (or a touchdown if possible) by returning it.
.

COACHING: A

This team could have folded after Winn went down. The way the players have emerged from whatever fog the injury caused, has to be related to Chuck Lyon's approach. COC's two losses have been by a combined seven points.

CAPTION(S):

box

Box: Midseason report card (see text)
COPYRIGHT 1999 Daily News
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 1999, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Oct 16, 1999
Words:816
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