COC UPDATE COC: NO LETUP COUGARS STAY UNBEATEN WITH FIFTH WIN.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - College of the Canyons coach Chuck Lyon had expressed concern about a possible letdown going into his team's most recent Western State Conference game against Pierce College.

The Cougars were coming off an emotional WSC Northern Division victory over Allan Hancock College of Santa Maria and were about to face a Pierce College team that, despite solid stats, was a lesser opponent than were the Bulldogs. The Brahmas entered Saturday night's game leading the conference in team offense and were sixth in team defense.

But the visiting Cougars showed no signs of a dropoff in their intensity level; they were dominant in all aspects of their game in a 66-14 victory.

As a result of the victory, the Cougars - who have a bye this Saturday - improved to 3-0 in conference (5-0 overall). They had 455 yards in total offense, and limited their opponents to 184 yards.

COC quarterback Travis Winn completed 19 of 21 passes for 275 yards, threw for five touchdowns and rushed for another. Among Winn's eight receivers were Stephen Stokes, who had four receptions for 42 yards, and Ontae Chaney, who caught two passes for 76 yards.

Running back Steve Smith gained 91 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown on the Cougars' opening drive on a 10-yard run.

The COC offensive line had its best game of the season, Lyon said, noting that the only sack Pierce had in the game came on a missed blocking assignment by a running back.

``When you have a good passing game, it all starts up front,'' said Lyon, who noted that COC was equally as dominant on defense.

The Cougars were leading 14-0 in the closing minutes of the first quarter when defensive lineman John Harrison sacked Pierce quarterback Jamaal Washington and forced a fumble, which he returned 27 yards for a touchdown.

The Cougars did not allow Pierce to penetrate midfield until nearly 9:30 had already elapsed in the third quarter on the fifth play of a nine-play 75-yard scoring drive. By the time the Brahmas got on the scoreboard, they were already trailing 56-0.

Despite an outstanding effort on the field, COC's pregame preparations were not up to the coach's standards.

``We weren't focused, '' Lyon said, noting that players were jumping offside and missing key blocking assignments during practice drills last week. Lyon attributed the lack of intensity in practice to an emotionally draining week leading up to their previous game against Allan Hancock. But the Cougars were able to step up their game on Saturday because of the confidence which has developed in the team over the last few weeks, he said.

``I think they're beginning to understand that this is a pretty special team,'' Lyon said. ``They've always played with emotion, but now they're starting to play with confidence.''

COC's next game will be October 21, when the Cougars host WSC Northern Division rival West Los Angeles College at 7 p.m.

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Shaun Kelso (20) was one of several COllege of the Canyons standouts in Saturday night's big victory over Pierce.

Edma Trunnell-Simpson/Staff Photographer