CANYON

Continued from 21 depth in the secondary. Elijah Herreres and Dane Lawler are some players that played really well for us last year at linebacker and have again made a jump in growth for their senior year.”

Herreres led the team in tackles last year and is one of several game-wreckers for the Cowboys.

“The linebacker group, we’ve got some dogs for sure,” Olujich said. “I know our D-line is one of our strongest and I have faith in our DBs to cover the pass, so I think we’ll be good all around.”

Several Cowboys will play two ways, including senior Jeremiah Taylor. The receiver has picked up several Division 1 offers and will move from cornerback to safety while serving as the top wideout.

Taylor, Eyezik Ruppert and Josh Cambaliza will be some defensive backs to keep an eye on.

“Our secondary is really looking nice this year,” Taylor said. “We’ve got a lot of fast and aggressive players with big hits and stuff like that, so it’s going to be fun.”

Taking over at quarterback is senior Caleb Sparks, who has picked up the notorious Wing-T offense’s playbook well and feels a great chemistry with his receiving corps.

“We’re pretty in sync,” Sparks said. “I think we’re on pace to win a lot of games this season. We’re doing really well with our playbook and I think we can have a good season this year.”

The gunslinger can throw well and has standouts at receiver in Taylor and Ruppert. Taylor is also excited about the tight end group this year, highlighted by Olujich, Herreres and Giovani Uriquieta.

Sparks has plenty of options in the pass but with the talent in the back- field, Canyon will likely stick to tradition and be a run-heavy offense.

Ganisten Turner and Evan Watts return at running back. Turner, a senior, flashed his speed last season with three 100-yard rushing games while the bigger Watts, a junior, shined as a power back. Junior Keston Banos will also likely be a factor.

“Our philosophy is always going to be ‘run the ball first,’” Holsenbeck said. “With the physicality of the game, we like to establish that run. Obviously, we’re in a much better situation than we were a year ago in terms of our ability to go throw the ball.”

Two juniors, Andrew Ruiz and Zach Demarest, will take on big responsibilities on the offensive front but Holsenbeck has liked what he’s seen from that group so far.

The team knows the Foothill League will be a tall task but just a few wins will push the team closer to its goal and into the CIF playoffs.

“Our league is really strong but it prepares us for playoffs and makes us better,” Taylor said. “It makes us better mentally, too, because we face a tough league, unlike most teams.”

However, the team feels more confident and is looking forward to snapping long losing streaks against league rivals.

“We’re in a great league, there’s no doubt about it,” Holsenbeck said. “I feel much better about our ability to compete in that league this year, though, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we’ll do.”

Canyon is looking for its first wins against Valencia and Hart in over 10 years, while also looking to beat Golden Valley and West Ranch for the first time in over eight seasons.

The Cowboys were just two points away from forcing overtime against Golden Valley last season and are amped for their 2023 matchup.

“We want us some Golden Valley Grizzlies,” Taylor said. “We lost by

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two points last year and they know they shouldn’t have won that game but it’s OK. We were overlooked and they didn’t expect us to come out like that. So, we have to go and punch them in the mouth again this year.”

Canyon has the chance to take another big leap as a program. The Cowboys have the longest active streak now entering year 16 without a Foothill League championship but are inching closer to the mark.

“I just hope we come ready,” Olujich said. “I hope that we keep the same energy and that we take adversity on and come in with a chip on our shoulder. We just have to go out there and do what we gotta do. No matter what.”

8 | 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW