The Canyon Eagles celebrate with their student section after beating rival Randall 22-7. The Eagles also maintained possession of the popular GOAT. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
The Canyon Eagles used two quick first quarter scores and used a superb defensive effort to fend off rival Randall 22-7 on Friday night on Happy State Bank Field at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
The win pulls the Eagles closer in the all-time series with Randall still leading 13-10-1, however, Canyon keeps the bragging rights of the GOAT gate for a second straight year.
Canyon improves to 2-0 on the year while Randall drops to 1-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a very defensive game, Canyon was able to come out of the gate scoring two touchdowns before the Randall offense touched the field.
The Eagles took their opening possession and marched for a score that was capped off on an Aiden Hildinger 3-yard run. Thanks to a 2-point conversion, Canyon went up 8-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Eagles were able to recover when Randall failed to fall on the short pooch. That led to another Hildinger score, extending the Canyon advantage at 16-0, and Randall failing to have an offensive possession.
Canyon’s defense limited the Raiders to 135 total yards. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
CANYON’S DEFENSE WAS THE DIFFERENCE
The Eagles shutdown Randall, holding the Raiders to 135 yards of total offense and only nine first downs. The one score from the Raiders came off an interception, giving them great field position.
Eagles running back Aiden Hildinger breaks loose for a touchdown in the first quarter. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
STARS OF THE GAME
For a second straight week, two impact players stepped up on both sides of the ball for the Eagles. Canyon fed running back Aiden Hildinger 20 times for 138 yards with two scores. It’s his second straight game over the century mark.
“It’s special to get this win with my teammates,” Hildinger said. “The GOAT has become a great thing between the schools and it’s cool we get to carry it on. I just have to thank my teammates for the great play tonight. They opened holes and allowed me to run through them.”
Defensively, safety Brayden Brewer made his second timely interception in as many weeks. Up 16-0 and Randall driving, Brewer stepped in front of a deep pass down the sideline from JaKobe Norman intended for Tavian Combs. On the ensuing possession, Brewer found the endzone on a trick play, when Jay Defoor swung it to Brandon Driskell on a lateral. Driskell was able to find a wide open Brewer for a 29-yard touchdown, giving Canyon a 22-0 lead.
UP NEXT
Canyon plays host to Lamesa at 7 p.m. Friday.
Randall visits Hereford at 7 p.m. Friday
Canyon 22, Randall 7
Canyon 16 6 — 22
Randall 0 0 7 — 7
FIRST QUARTER
C—Aiden Hildinger 3 run (Conversion good)
C—Hildinger 4 run 4 run (Conversion good)
SECOND QUARTER
C—Brayden Brewer 29 pass from Brandon Driskell (conversion failed)
FOURTH QUARTER
R—Creed Browner 26 pass from JaKobe Norman (Juan Garcia kick)
Canyon Randall
First Downs 18 9
Rushing Yards 234 69
Passing Yards 84 66
Total Yards 318 135
C-A-I 9-18-1 6-21-2
Fumbles-lost 1-0 1-1
Punts 4-21.2 5-36.2
Penalties 7-45 9-75