EMOTIONS HIGH DURING, AFTER BIG SHOWDOWN.

Byline: Scott Magoloff Staff Writer

Now that both teams have gotten their aggressions out - Antelope Valley College in its many blitzes and College of the Canyons in beating the Marauders 19-14 on Saturday - it's up to the Western State and Foothill conferences to decide COC's fate.

The issue for both schools has been about the investigation AVC initiated into COC's program for alleged recruiting violations. Although the coaches downplayed its importance in motivating the players, the way it was played, along with the postgame moods, suggested otherwise.

Antelope Valley's players quickly filed out of the stadium, mostly with their heads down. Not an uncommon reaction to a loss, but revealing nonetheless.

Canyons' players, coaches and a large number of fans celebrated in the south end of the stadium. Some jumped up and down, helmets in the air, while others knelt out of exhaustion, soaking up whatever glory they could.

A party spilled over to the new Cougar Den, a granite barbecue area on manicured grounds overlooking the stadium, well into the night.

The Cougars (2-0) and Marauders (1-1) seemed to assume each other's identity on offense. Canyons ran more than it passed (34 rushes and 28 pass attempts) and AVC passed more than it ran, with 42 pass attempts and 31 rushes.

The offensive alterations were directly related to the defensive intensity. The Marauders defense simply would not stay at home, attacking on nearly every play with a blitz. AVC coach Brent Carder said prior to the game that he had to do ``something'' to stop COC quarterback Travis Winn and the fine group of receivers Canyons has. It was effective.

But Canyons coach Chuck Lyon countered perfectly, thanks to the return of freshman running back Steve Smith. Lyon went to more well-designed screen plays when a pass was called for and ran Smith straight up the middle.

Smith had solid blocking from the line, which allowed the Marauders pass-rushers to advance wide while it opened holes in the middle. Smith, a freshman from Long Beach Poly, gained 134 yards on 21 carries.

The prototypical drive for COC belonged to Smith early in the second quarter with the score 0-0. The Cougars were pinned on their own 3-yard line after a punt by AVC's Mike Arvizo.

Smith gained 65 yards on six carries in the ensuing drive, which resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run for linebacker Sean Cogswell. Smith did much of the work on Cogswell's second 1-yard score of the game early in the third quarter, picking up 21 yards on two runs to reach the one-inch line.

Canyons started at AVC's 21-yard line because of a fumbled punt by Marvin Percy recovered by John Harrison.

Canyons learned a lot about itself from this victory. It can beat a solid defense either with the pass (as seen in the season opener against Citrus) or the run.

Canyons' defense, its strength, rose to the occasion as well. The defensive backs, who may have been largely responsible for the loss to AVC last year, stood out.

Brandon Braga had an interception and made a touchdown-saving tackle when he chased down the elusive Jason Anderson on AVC's first play following Cogswell's second touchdown, when COC led 12-0.

Haudarie Andrews and linebacker Todd Hourigan also had interceptions for COC.

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Photo: (color) AVC quarterback Justin Holtfreter tosses the ball just before COC's Jaime Garza (71) tackles him Saturday.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

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