OCC falls at Canyons

SANTA CLARITA – Visiting Orange Coast College had three players throw interceptions and were victimized by big scoring plays in a 42-19 nonconference football loss to College of the Canyons on Saturday night.

Canyons (2-0), ranked No. 17 in the state, returned a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown, scored on passes of 61, 37, 34 and 24 yards, and added a 55-yard touchdown run to drop the No. 14-ranked Pirates to 1-1.

Kody Whitaker completed 24 of 34 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown, but joined receiver Hal Walker and backup quarterback James Harrelson as Pirates who had passes intercepted.

Derrick Hunt rushed for 118 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown, on 17 attempts, though OCC was outgained, 445-350, in total offense.

Joey Cox caught six passes for 43 yards, while Walker’s 43 receiving yards included a 24-yard touchdown pass from Whitaker.

Safety Zoauntarrious Brunt and middle linebacker Brandon Safford led the OCC defense with seven tackles, while four of end Preston Hendry’s tackles were for losses, including 1.5 sacks.

— From staff reports