By MARTIN HENDERSON
Special to OCVarsity

VILLA PARK — After 35 seasons, Canyon finally can lay claim to a league football championship. The Comanches used their big-play speed Thursday to beat Villa Park, 33-14, and win a share of the Century League title. (Full game stats.)

“I’m the first head coach in Canyon history to say I’m looking at the league champion,” Coach Brent McKee told his players after learning of El Dorado’s upset of Tustin to create a three-way tie for first.

Canyon (6-4, 4-1) will enter the Southwest Division playoffs as the third-place team by virtue of a coin flip.

“I don’t care,” McKee said, “because we’re hanging a banner.”

Tubotein Taylor led Canyon with 15 carries for 151 yards and a touchdown of 58 yards. The Comanches also scored on runs of 35 by Marcio Marchena and 50 by Jared Gobert, a 21-yard TD pass by Nick Mercurio, and a 68-yard interception return by Craig Garabedian.

“We’ve probably had 15 scores of at least 50 yards,” McKee said.

Pat Mahoney ended his career with a three-game losing streak at Villa Park (4-6, 2-3).

The Comanches defense had two fourth-quarter interceptions, seven sacks and gave up only 30 yards rushing in 33 attempts.

• More Thursday night game results

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