Canyon Defeated St. Margaret's in League Opener
Canyon secured a 20-10 victory over St. Margaret's behind Kayden Phillips three rushing touchdowns.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Football
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Canyon improved to a 5-1 overall record following a 20-10 win against St. Margaret's at El Modena High in Orange. Quarterback Kayden Phillips powered the offense by rushing for 151 yards and three touchdowns.
Why it matters
The victory keeps Canyon on a strong trajectory for the season as it moves to a 5-1 record, while St. Margaret's falls to 4-2. The game tested both teams' discipline, with Canyon struggling with high penalty counts despite the win.
Kayden Phillips rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns on 14 second-half carries. Canyon overcame 14 penalties that resulted in 135 yards, while Skee Hitchens added a late interception.
The players
Kayden Phillips
Kayden Phillips is the quarterback for the Canyon football team who led the offense with three rushing touchdowns.
Skee Hitchens
Skee Hitchens is a defensive player for Canyon who recorded a fumble recovery and a game-sealing interception.
The details
Phillips also contributed through the air, completing 11 of 18 passes for 139 yards to help overcome the team's significant penalty yardage. Defensive support was provided by Skee Hitchens, who recovered a fumble in the end zone and sealed the game with an interception with 1:51 remaining.
Timeline
The football game took place on October 1, 2026.
St. Margaret's is scheduled to play Portola at home on October 9, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This win positions Canyon as a strong contender within the Kappa League opener, establishing a firm 5-1 start. The outcome forces St. Margaret's to regroup before their next home contest to stay competitive in the standings.
Canyon now holds a 5-1 overall record, significantly boosting their standing in the league rankings. Meanwhile, St. Margaret's drops to 4-2, increasing the pressure to secure a win in their next scheduled home game.
The takeaway
Effective rushing production remains the primary engine for Canyon as they navigate the middle of their season schedule. Discipline will be a key area for improvement, as the team will likely struggle against tougher opponents if they continue to accumulate high penalty yardage.
What happens next
St. Margaret's is scheduled to play a home game against Portola on October 9, 2026.
Further reading
For more local gridiron results and analysis, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Orange County Register.
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