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Canyon’s football players conclude each practice and weightlifting session by shouting a phrase that captures their direction under first-year coach Vinnie Lopez.
“C City!” the players roar.
The rallying cry represents the Cobras’ goal, Lopez said, to build a team that can contend for a Kappa League title and reach the playoffs.
“Every rep, everything we do, is brick by brick,” the coach explained Monday. “We’re laying the foundation for our fortress that we’re building on the hill.”
Canyon has shown quick progress under Lopez with a 2-0 start. The defense appears much-improved and the ground attack has created a more balanced offense.
The Cobras’ strong play has added fuel to what appears to be one of the best matchups of Week 2. On Friday at El Modena High, Canyon plays host to Pacifica (2-0), the team that Lopez coached for seven years before resigning in 2022.
Lopez still coaches track and teaches at Pacifica.
Canyon High School head football coach Vinnie Lopez in Anaheim on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“It’s great for everybody,” he said of the matchup. “When I got hired here … (Pacifica) coach (Kyle) Murphy instantly called me and said, ‘Hey, what do you guy think about playing?’ I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ I think both of us see it as a win-win no matter what happens.”
“It’s a great story,” Lopez added. “It’s two competitive teams. They’ve had good (postseason) runs the last couple of years.”
Canyon is aiming to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The Cobras have endured three consecutive losing seasons that averaged less than three wins.
The team’s most noticeable progress this fall has been on defense.
Canyon allowed only six points as it defeated Kennedy 33-6 and Rancho Verde 19-0. Rancho Verde had defeated Redlands East Valley 29-10 in its season opener.
Last season, Canyon allowed almost 42 points per game. In the team’s four losses in the Iota League, the Cobras allowed an average of 62.3 points.
Lopez said the Cobras’ defensive players have improved their tackling technique under first-year defensive coordinator Danny Lopez. The assistant coach, who is not related to Lopez, arrived after a highly-successful tenure at San Dimas.
“He does a phenomenal job with our defense,” Lopez said. “We’re stalemating guys at the line (of scrimmage). Our linebackers are making plays. We’re making tackles in the open field. It’s more of a fundamental thing than a scheme thing, in my opinion.”
It certainly helps that Canyon returned linebacker James Munro. The senior leads the defense with 24 tackles.
“We knew James was good,” Lopez said of Munro, the co-defensive player of the year in the Iota League last season. “I didn’t realize how good he is, to be honest. … (He) reminds me of Isaak Togia, who played for me at Pacifica.”
Linebacker Kasin Leidholdt and safety Skee Hitchens are tied for second on the team in tackles with 12 apiece. Hitchens, a junior, is the son of former football coach Jason Hitchens.
Linebackers Quentin Edwards and Brysen Booher rank next with eight tackles apiece.
Booher has a twin brother, Bo, who plays wide receiver and returns kicks for Canyon. They’re the sons of former Anaheim football coach Lanny Booher, who is coaching running backs at Canyon.
Lopez is calling plays on offense and directing dual-threat quarterback Kayden Phillips (6-0, 165), a first-year starter. The junior, who transferred from Servite, has completed 74 percent of his passes for 289 yards and has rushed for 97 yards.
Munro leads the offense in rushing (145 yards) while senior Noah McClary has a team-high 13 receptions for 193 yards and two scores.
Lopez said Munro and defensive lineman/running back Noah Greene have been key leaders in the weight room.
Because of Lopez’s schedule at Pacifica, the Cobras lifted at night during the winter.
“These guys would show up, 60, 65 kids strong every night,” the coach said. “There was a strong desire to win and turn things around.”
HALL OF FAME FRIENDSHIP
Huntington Beach coach Matthew Hatchette attended the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio, last month to support his friend and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
While playing wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, Hatchette mentored a young Fitzgerald, who had been a ball boy for the team as a teen. Hatchette later trained Fitzgerald’s son Devin, now a freshman wide receiver at Notre Dame.
“That’s my guy. Love him,” Hatchette said of Fitzgerald, who credited Hatchette in his induction speech. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. He’s one of my best friends in life.”
“And more importantly, a mentorship of each other,” Hatchette added. “I’ve learned a lot from him as well … (and) it started with football.”
SHORT ROUTES
Tustin All-County lineman Jon Ioane and quarterback Ayden Edwards are dealing with injuries, Tillers coach Anthony Lopez confirmed. Ioane will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, the coach said. Edwards said an AC joint injury will keep him out “three to four weeks” …
Anaheim defeated Savanna 35-20 last week to become the first Orange County public school to reach 600 victories. The Colonists played the game at its on-campus field, which features new turf, lights and bleachers. …
Beckman quarterback Dylan Josue, a transfer from Trabuco Hills, completed 20 of 29 passes for 229 yards and two TDs in a 28-21 loss at College Park in Pleasant Hill. The junior wasn’t cleared to play for Beckman in its opener against Pacifica.