Andrew Miramontes Throws Four Touchdowns in Victory Over Pierce

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. - The second half of the 2006 football season has gone a lot different than the first half for the College of the Canyons Cougars (2-2, 3-4). Canyons started the season losing four out of the five games by an average of 12 points.

But, with a bye separating the first and second halves of the season, the Cougars were able to recharge and gained momentum with a win last week against first place team in the Western State Conference South, Citrus College (4-0, 4-3), 43-14, and another win on Saturday night against Pierce College Brahmas (1-3, 1-6), 53-17. This time, beating the past two teams by an average of 32 points.

The win marks the first consecutive wins during the 2006 campaign and it is the Cougars first win on the road.

COC's offensive specialist, quarterback Andrew Miramontes, threw four touchdowns, including two that found wide receiver Terence Scott, and three other Cougars ran into the end zone to help lead a team that needed a big win.

The defense did its part by holding the Brahmas scoreless in the second half, while the offense outscored Pierce 26-0.

On the first possession for the Cougars, the team was able to score in seven quick plays. With 9:10 left in the first quarter, back-up quarterback Ryan Whitcomb ran three yards for the first touchdown of the night. The kick from Weinstein was good and put the Cougars up 7-0.

Pierce reacted with a 39-yard field goal by kicker Josh Marmon with 5:17 left in the first.

COC closed the quarter with a quick play between Miramontes and Scott for a 35-yard reception and a 14-3 lead over the Brahmas.

A missed 32-yard field goal by Pierce's Marmon set the Cougars up for another scoring run that started in the first quarter and ended with a 5-yard touchdown run by Thomas Kyle with 14:31 left in the second quarter.

Pierce responded with a touchdown of its own. With 5:15 left in the half, quarterback Roland White hooked up with Cordel Hammond for a 27-yard touchdown pass and closed in on the deficit 21-9. The extra point attempt by Marmon was blocked by COC's Chad Landry, who finished the night with two tackles, one tackle for a loss of five yards and a sack.

COC then took the ball 25 yards down the field in two plays, and on second and seven, Miramontes connected with freshman wide receiver Shawn Janssen for a 77-yard pass for a touchdown and 27-9 advantage over the Brahmas, with 3:54 left before the end of the half.

In the third, both COC and Pierce struggled offensively. Amyene Williams intercepted Pierce's quarterback Roland White's pass on second and six on Pierce's own 45-yard line. The COC recovery set Canyons up for the only score of the quarter, a 27-yard field goal by Weinstein.

Up 30-17 at the beginning of the fourth, COC increased its lead with three more touchdowns and a field goal for the 53-17 win. Miramontes connected with Scott again, and then with Kyle. Kicker Weinstein posted a 45-yard field goal with 6:45 left in the game. Weinstein ended the night going 2-for-4. He missed his first two attempts of 49 and 45 yards in the second quarter. Freshman running back Cory Guillory accounted for the last Cougar touchdown, a 9-yard run with 32 seconds left in the game.

Running back Brian Stuart had his second consecutive game of 100+ yards and his fourth of the season with 118 yards on 16 carries. Miramontes finished 14-of-23 and racked up 222 yards and four touchdowns and his performance earned WSC Player of the Week Honors. Leading WSC receiver, Scott, added two more touchdowns to his statistics and six receptions for 137 yards and two kickoffs for 47 yards.

K.T. Thomas led the defense, which held Pierce to only 89 yards rushing. Thomas garnered 7 tackles, 4 unassisted. Kava Fine added five tackles, three unassisted. Saturday's game was the second consecutive game that defensive back Williams has picked off at least one pass. He currently is tied for first in the conference for the most interceptions. This year, he has had five interceptions for 77 yards.

The win, put the Cougars behind Moorpark (4-0, 7-0), Allan Hancock (4-0, 6-1) and Bakersfield (4-0, 6-1) in the WSC North. Moorpark travels to Bakersfield this week for a battle of first place. College of the Canyons will head to Santa Maria to visit Allan Hancock for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.