COC FOOTBALL PREVIEW: CERRITOS PROVIDES A TOP-RANKED TEST.Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer VALENCIA - The College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. football team could use some rest. Instead, the injury-plagued Cougars will spend what was supposed to be a bye week facing the top-ranked team in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . COC See chip on chip. plays host to Cerritos in a nonconference game today at 1 p.m. In addition to being the No. 1 team in Southern California, the Falcons moved up to No. 5 in the nation in this week's JC Athletic Bureau rankings. Since the Cougars obviously won't be getting a break, they plan to do their best to make sure Cerritos doesn't get one either. ``We've got to try to stay close to them and steal it in the fourth quarter,'' COC coach Chuck Lyon said. Despite numerous injuries, the Cougars are in better position to challenge the Falcons than they were when the teams originally were scheduled to meet during the second week of the season. The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 prompted the game to be postponed. Since then, the Cougars (3-1) have won three consecutive games while outscoring opponents a combined 172-58. Freshman quarterback Kyle Bauer, who would have made his first start in the original game against Cerritos, has used recent weeks to prove himself a capable replacement for 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. Jason Winn. Running backs J.J. Arrington, Marquis Brignac and Major Caldwell have found their groove to lead a running game that rushed for a season-high 252 yards and six touchdowns in last week's 65-31 victory over Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. . Defense and special teams also have stepped up to provide more than 20 points in each of the past two games. Jason Daily continues to lead the Western State Conference in punting. Those are the positives. The list of injuries, however, is even longer. The Cougars are down to about 55 available players and wouldn't be surprised if that number increases after facing a physical Cerritos team. Tight end Leon Pinky, offensive lineman Jeff Gallo, linebacker Peter Dubsky and defensive back Larry Bynum are among the injured starters who are questionable for today. ``We're banged up and there's no rest in sight,'' said Lyon, who gave his players what rest he could by shortening practices this week. Lyon said he agreed to reschedule re·sched·ule tr.v. re·sched·uled, re·sched·ul·ing, re·sched·ules To schedule again or anew: rescheduled the meeting for the following week; rescheduled the debts of many developing nations. the game because he was threatened with a forfeit To lose to another person or to the state some privilege, right, or property due to the commission of an error, an offense, or a crime, a breach of contract, or a neglect of duty; to subject property to confiscation; or to become liable for the payment of a penalty, as the result of a . He also realizes the implications involved with Cerritos' national ranking. The Falcons are 4-0 and coming off a 36-27 victory over Santa Ana Santa Ana, city, El Salvador Santa Ana (sän'tä ä`nä), city (1993 pop. 129,873), W El Salvador. It is the second largest city in the country and the commercial and processing center for a sugarcane, coffee, and cattle region. , the team that defeated COC in the season opener. Quarterback Mike Harrison Mike Harrison may be:
``That's the difference between the Western State Conference and the Mission Conference,'' Lyon said. ``Depth. They have a key guy hurt and they send in another key guy. We don't have that kind of depth. I think the first guys on our team are as good as the first guys on their team. We'll find out (today).'' |
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