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GOLDEN EMPIRE BOWL FOOTBALL: Palomar 38, Cerritos 33

ABOVE: Freshman receiver Martavious Lee, who had eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, picks up 9 yards on pass from quarterback Matt Christian on next-to-last play of the first quarter. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW LEFT: Freshman quarterback Matt Christian, the Player of the game, looks deep. BELOW RIGHT: Palomar coach Joe Early. LOWER LEFT:  Parachutist from U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team -- the Black Dragons -- sky dives into Memorial Stadium at halftime. -- Last Three Photos by Hugh Gerhardt

Christian player of game; PC makes statement

BAKERSFIELD (11-22-08) -- Palomar, insulted after being unceremoniously left out of the eight-team Southern California football playoffs after being ranked No. 7, made a statement Saturday.

With quarterback Matt Christian, who had been unable to practice, leading the way the Comets put an exclamation point at the end of an 8-3 season with a 38-33 victory over nationally 18th-ranked Cerritos in the Golden Empire Bowl at Bakersfield Memorial Stadium.

Christian was part of a sizeable Palomar cast that bonded together and made a huge statement they belonged in a bigger venue than this bowl game by knocking off the Falcons, who two weeks earlier upset then nationally No. 1-ranked Mt. SAC.

"Both teams should have been in the playoffs," Palomar coach Joe Early said while accepting the bowl championship trophy after the game, a sentiment echoed when Cerritos coach Frank Mazzotta took the microphone moments later.

Added Christian: "(Being left out of the playoffs) was definitely a motivating factor.  We very much wanted to send a message."

Christian, who couldn't practice for two weeks due to an injury to his left shoulder, made his return to the field a memorable one. He completed 20 of 29 pass attempts with one interception for 253 yards and touchdown plays of 29 yards to Martavious Lee early in the second quarter, 33 yards to Keith Duhart just before halftime and 35 yards to Lee to ice the victory in the fourth quarter.

Christian and the Comets converted 11 of 16 first downs and one of one fourth down. This, after Christian was unable to practice the entire week before he led Palomar to a 41-14 victory over Orange Coast due to a concussion, hurt his shoulder late in the that game and was unable to practice through the Comets bye week and bowl game week.

Christian was selected as Pacific Coast Conference Men's Athlete of the Week. The PCC is Palomar's home conference but the Comets' football team plays in the SCFA National Division Southern Conference.

Palomar's other points on Saturday came on runs of 35 yards and 1 yard by Orenzo Davis, a 19-yard field goal by Collin Yost and five Yost PAT kicks.

Davis rushed for 77 yards on 13 carries and returned three kickoffs for 96 yards, including a 46-yarder which set up his own 1-yard TD run. Tyler Lavea added 67 yards rushing, also on 13 carries. Lee had eight receptions for 92 yards, Duhart five receptions for 72 yards and Maurice Patterson and Paul Moore had three catches each.

"The offensive line came to play," Christian said. "They came to play running the ball and I didn't get hit."

Cornerback and Defensive Player of the Game Anthony Young (11 tackles, six solo, a fumble recovery and three broken-up passes) and linebacker Nate Paopao (11 tackles, six solo and a broken-up pass) led a big performance by the Comets' defense.

Corner Chris Calvert and middle linebacker David Motu contributed eight tackles each. Jordan Peiler had six tackles including a sack. Chris Boudreaux returned to action with a bang at free safety after missing 2 1/2 games with an injury with four booming hits, making three big solo tackles to prevent big gainers by Cerritos, then forcing a fumble which Young recovered to halt a Cerritos drive.

The Comets fell behind 10-3 after one quarter, then outscored the Falcons 35-17 leading up to a late Cerritos touchdown that finally closed the gap to five points. The defense held the Falcons after their last touchdown with 3:23 to play and the Comets took over and ran out the clock.

Cerritos (ranked sixth in Southern California, 12th in the state and 18th in the nation) and Palomar (ranked seventh in SoCal, 11th in the state and 24th in the nation) were left out of the playoffs in favor of San Diego Mesa and Antelope Valley -- ranked No. 13 and No. 14 in SoCal, respectively.

Mesa lost to Fullerton 26-0 in the first round on Saturday. Antelope Valley lost to College of the Canyons 41-17.

GAME STATS | SEASON STATS | NORTH COUNTY TIMES STORY | UNION-TRIBUNE GAME STORY | LONG BEACH PRESS-TELEGRAM STORY

FOOTBALL: Golden Empire Bowl

ABOVE: Palomar running back Orenzo Davis rambles in 41-14 victory over Orange Coast.  --  (Photo by Rick Rowell). BELOW RIGHT: Bakersfield College Memorial Stadium

Comets ready for bowl match-up versus Cerritos

SAN MARCOS (11-20-08) -- What would have been a most interesting match-up in the Southern California community college football playoffs won't be contested in the playoffs at all.

Instead, Palomar's game with Cerritos, with the two teams matching 7-3 records and high rankings, will be contested in the Golden Empire Bowl on Saturday at Bakersfield College Memorial Stadium, the largest on-campus community college facility in the United States. Kickoff at the 19,447-seat stadium will be at 3 p.m.

"These are two teams that should be in the Southern Cal playoffs," said Palomar coach Joe Early, whose Comets (ranked No. 7 in the Southern California Coaches Poll) and Cerritos  (ranked No. 6) both were left out of the eight-team playoff format in favor of teams that are ranked 13th and 14th, respectively.

"I'm sure both of us will be trying to relieve frustration at not being in the playoffs," Early added.

Early said the Falcons "are playing as well as anyone in Southern California," coming off an upset victory over then nationally No. 1-ranked Mt. SAC and a 31-28 loss to El Camino last week when Cerritos couldn't get into the end zone from the 2-yard line in the closing seconds as the Falcons unsuccessfully went for the win instead of the tie and an overtime.

Cerritos is ranked No. 18 in the nation (J.C. Grid-Wire), No. 19 in the nation (JCFootball.com), No. 12 in the state and No. 6 in Southern California. Palomar is ranked No. 24 in the nation (JCFootball.com), No. 11 in the state and No. 7 in SoCal.

There will be a Navy Jet fly-by prior to the game and a U.S. Army Paratrooper sky-diver exhibition at halftime.

Ticket booths open at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

To reach Bakersfield College, take I-5 North, keep left after 169.4 miles to take CA-99 North (Exit 221) toward Bakersfield / Fresno. After 25.3 miles, take California Avenue (Exit 25) toward Civic Center. Turn right on California Avenue, then left onto Union Avenue / California99 North. Union Avenue becomes Panorama Drive. Bakersfield College is located at 1801 Panorama Drive in Bakersfield.

PALOMAR PROBABLE STARTERS

OFFENSE

Quarterback

5 -- Matt Christian, 6-3, 220, 4.7, Fr, Carlsbad HS / Fresno State

or

16 -- Joey Erickson, 6-3, 205, 4.8, So, Mission Hills HS

or

9 -- Steven Carroll, 6-4, 210, 4.8, Fr, Oceanside HS

Running Back

26 -- Tyler Lavea, 5-9, 195, Fr, Oceanside HS

Wide Receivers

6 -- Maurice Patterson, 6-3, 200, 4.38, So, Oceanside HS

7 -- Martavious Lee, 6-2, 180, 4.4, Fr, Coral Gables HS (FL)

Tight End

87 -- Jared Bamber, 6-4, 246, 4.7, Fr, Temecula Chaparral HS

or

84 -- Arthur Williams Jr., 6-4, 270, 4.79, Miami Carol City HS (Miami Gardens, FL)

- or -

Slot Receiver

1 -- Paul Moore, 5-10, 170, 4.4, Fr, Miami Central HS (FL)

or

17 -- Jeff Small, 6-3, 180, Fr, Oceanside HS

Left Tackle

78 -- Justin Klingerman, 6-4, 310, So., Valley Center HS

Left Guard

60 -- Tom Berry, 6-4, 280, Fr, Murrieta Valley HS

Center

67 -- Mike Tuimavave, 6-0, 315, So, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Right Guard

65 -- Samuelu Tupua, 6-3, 315, Fr, Banning HS (Wilmington)

Right Tackle

77 -- Brice Schwab, 6-8, 320, Fr, Moniteau HS (West Sunbury, PA)

PAT, Field Goals, Kickoffs

14 -- Collin Yost, 6-4, 190, Fr, Linfield Christian HS (Temecula)

Punts

41 -- Briton Forester, 5-10, 185, So, La Costa Canyon HS /  University of Hawaii

Long Snapper

43 -- Gator Pugh, 6-1, 190, Fr, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Holders

13 -- Brett Wininger, 6-0, 190, 4.6, So, Vista Murrieta HS

10 -- Loa Madon, 6-0, 195, 4.6, So, Vista HS

DEFENSE

Ends

96 -- Braxton Brennan, 6-3, 240, So, Elsinore HS

or

55 -- Robert Schenck, 6-3, 239, 4.63, Fr., Mission Hills HS / Fresno State

95 -- Andrew Sugg, 6-5,  242, So, Temecula Chaparral HS

Also: 93 -- Michael Reid, 6-2, 228, Fr, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Tackles

50 -- Jordan Peiler, 5-11,  260, So, Vista HS

or

92 -- Jamar Fleming, 6-3, 285, Fr, Union (SC) HS

91 -- Jonathan Mitchell, 6-2, 300, So, Escondido HS

Also: 99 -- Ron Lewis 6-3, 270, Fr, Elsinore HS

Middle Linebacker

54 -- David Motu, 6-0, 230, So, Oceanside HS

Outside Linebackers

11 -- Nate Paopao, 6-1, 220, So, El Camino HS

44 -- Shane Melbo, 6-1, 225, So, San Pasqual HS

Also: 43 -- Gator Pugh, 6-1, 190, Fr, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Corners

21 -- Anthony Young, 5-9, 175, 4.51, Fr, Colony (Ontario) HS

24 -- Chris Calvert, 6-0, 170, So, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Strong Safety

2 -- Arthur Render, 5-11, 180, 4.45, So, Miami Northwestern HS (Miami, FL) / Pasadena City College

or

10 -- Loa Madon, 6-0, 195, 4.6, So, Vista HS

Free Safety

30 -- Chris Boudreaux, 6-0,  185, 4.4, Fr., Centennial HS (Las Vegas, NV)

or

13 -- Brett Wininger, 6-0, 190, 4.6, So, Vista Murrieta HS

Kickoff Returns

26 -- Tyler Lavea, 5-9,  185, Fr, Oceanside HS

8 -- Orenzo Davis, 5-8, 180, 4.4, Fr, Columbine HS (Littleton, CO)

Punt Returns

1 -- Paul Moore, 5-10, 170, 4.4, Fr, Miami Central HS (FL)

FOOTBALL: Alumni

Lorenzen returns from injury, leads UConn 39-14

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (11-15-08) -- Tyler Lorenzen (left), Palomar's 2006 J.C. Grid-Wire first-team All-American quarterback, returned to action on Saturday after missing four games with a broken foot.

The defending Big East Conference co-champions lost three of the four games he missed. But, with Lorenzen back in UConn's lineup, the Huskies routed Syracuse 39-14 at the Carrier Dome.

"The heart and soul of our team is back," UConn coach Randy Edsall told the Connecticut Post. "Just his presence means so much to us."

The Huskies are 7-3 this season, 6-0 with Lorenzen, 1-3 without him. UConn is 15-4 the last two seasons with the 2006 national community college total offense leader in the lineup.

They kept their hopes for a repeat Big East title alive

“We just get it done,” Lorenzen told the Associated Press. “I think everyone just really believes in each other.”

The Huskies just "get it done" better with Lorenzen in the lineup. A whole lot better.

FOOTBALL: All-Southern Conference

ABOVE: Outside linebacker Nate Paopao (11) is one of five Comets on the All-Southern Conference first team. BELOW LEFT: First-team outside Center Mike Tuimavave --  (Photo by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

Five Comets voted to all-conference first team

LONG BEACH (11-18-08) -- Five Palomar football players landed spots on the All-SCFA National Division Southern Conference first team selected on Tuesday by conference coaches.

Comets voted to the first team were center Mike Tuimavave, guard Sam Tapua and tackle Brice Schwab on offense, and middle linebacker David Motu and outside linebacker Nate Paopao on defense.

Palomar players selected to the second team were wide receiver Martavious Lee, running back Tyler Lavea and quarterback Matt Christian on offense, cornerback Anthony Young on defense and kick returner Orenzo Davis on special teams.

Honorable mention: guard Tom Berry, tackle Justin Klingerman, receiver Paul Moore. Defense, end Braxton Brennan, tackle Jordan Peiler, tackle Jonathan Mitchell, end Andrew Sugg, linebacker Shane Melbo, cornerback Chris Calvert, safety Brett Wininger, safety Loa Madon. Special Teams, punter Briton Forester.

FOOTBALL: SCFA Southern Conference honors

SCFA National Division Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week Tyler Lavea heads for the end zone on 66-yard touchdown run against Orange Coast. --  (Photos by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

Lavea conference Offensive Player of the Week

LONG BEACH 11-11-08) -- Palomar running back Tyler Lavea has been selected as SCFA National Division Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Saturday's 41-14 victory over Orange Coast.

Lavea, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound freshman from Oceanside High School who served on a Mormon mission to Peru, rushed for 133 yards and touchdowns of 24 and 66 yards against the Pirates. He also had two pass receptions for 24 yards.

Lavea and the Comets (7-3) have a bye in the 11th week of the regular season on Saturday and will find out their Southern California playoffs / bowl future on Sunday.

FOOTBALL: Palomar 41, Orange Coast 14

ABOVE LEFT: Palomarr middle linebacker David Motu hauls down Orange Coast wide receiver Chris Reihanifarn. -- Photo by Rick Rowell. ABOVE RIGHT: Martavious Lee scores his second touchdown -- and the Comets' second TD -- after catching a Matt Christian pass. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW LEFT: Kevin Duhart intercepts a fourth-quarter pass. No. 21 is Anthony Young. -- Photo by Rick Rowell

Comets roll up 544 yards, led by Levea, Christian

ESCONDIDO (11-8-08) -- Palomar shredded the SCFA National Division Southern Conference's best defense for 544 yards on Saturday as the Comets closed out the regular season at 7-3 with a 41-14 rout of Orange Coast at Wilson Stadium.

Tyler Lavea rushed for 133 yards and touchdowns of 24 and 66 yards.

"I just followed my fullback (6-4, 230-pound Taylor Centell) through the hole," Lavea said.

Guard Sam Tupua and 6-4, 270-pound tight end Arthur Williams Jr. delivered the blocks that opened that hole and sprung Lavea.

Matt Christian was 13-for-26 passing with one interception for 288 yards and a pair of TD passes to Martavious Lee for 44 and  20  yards.

Lee had four receptions for 159 yards and the two touchdowns.

"I'd rather be playing well at the end than at the beginning," said coach Joe Early, whose Comets wind up 3-3 in the National Conference, have a bye next week and will find out their post-season situation on Nov.16.

Palomar, trailing 14-0 in the first 7 minutes, 56 seconds, scored the game's final 41 points. Christian passed to Lee for the first two touchdowns for the Comets, Lavea ran for the next two and Orenzo Davis and Deswin Dennis scored the final two touchdowns on runs of 1 yard and 12 yards, respectively.

Collin Yost kicked five PATs.

David Motu, Chris Calvert and Anthony Young contributed eight tackles each for the Comets.

Calvert had seven solo tackles,  a half-tackle for a loss and forced a fumble. Motu had six solos, half a sack and a tackle for aloss. Young had five solos and broke up a pass.

Jordan Peiler had seven tackles (six solo and had a quarterback hurry. Nate Paopao and Andrew Sugg each had six tackles. Arthur Render and  Kevin Duhart had interceptions. Shane Melbo recovered the fumble that Calvert caused.

Briton Forester contributed five punts for a 42.-8-yard average, all of them inside the Orange Coast 20-yard line.

GAME STATS | SEASON STATS | NORTH COUNTY TIMES GAME STORY

FOOTBALL: Orange Coast at Palomar, 1 p.m.

ABOVE: Palomar cornerback Anthony Young drills Fullerton quarterback Jeff Fleming as he releases the ball. BELOW LEFT: Tyler Lavea, the Comets' leading rusher. --  (Photos by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

No. 29 Comets close regular season at home

Palomar, which will have a bye next week, will close out its regular football season on Saturday against Orange Coast at Wilson Stadium on the Escondido High School campus.

Palomar (6-3, 2-3 SCFA National Division Southern Conference) comes into the game ranked No. 29 nationally by JCGridiron.com, just below No. 28 Dean College of Franklin, Mass., and just above No. 30 Reedley.

The Comets are ranked No. 12 in the state by the California Community College Football Coaches Association and No. 7 in the Southern California coaches' poll. Eight teams from Southern Cal will advance to the playoffs.

If Palomar finishes with a 3-3 conference record, it still conceivably could receive an at-large bid to the state playoffs depending on what else happens around Southern California the last two weekends because of one huge reason.

The Southern Conference top-to-bottom is considered the best community college conference in the United States. Each of the seven teams in the conference has won at least one mythical national community college championship -- 16 national titles in all for the seven conference members.

"We've got to get this one to have any playoff hopes at all," Palomar coach Joe Early said. "(The coaches) know it. The players know it.

"Orange Coast started the season 4-0. They've run into some tough times in conference, but they've been there in every game and, if they can win this week and next week they can finish 6-4 overall and be bowl eligible. So they also have something big to play for."

The game will be broadcast live over the air by KKSM-AM 1320, Cox Digital Cable Channel 958 and over the internet at http://www.palomar.edu/kksm/live.html. Jordan Carruth will be the play-by-play announcer while former Palomar and University of Hawaii running back Josh Galea'i will be the color man.

PALOMAR PROBABLE STARTERS

OFFENSE

Quarterback

5 -- Matt Christian, 6-3, 220, 4.7, Fr, Carlsbad HS / Fresno State

Running Back

26 -- Tyler Lavea, 5-9, 195, Fr, Oceanside HS

Wide Receivers

6 -- Maurice Patterson, 6-3, 200, 4.38, So, Oceanside HS

7 -- Martavious Lee, 6-2, 180, 4.4, Fr, Coral Gables HS (FL)

Tight End

87 -- Jared Bamber, 6-4, 246, 4.7, Fr, Temecula Chaparral HS

or

84 -- Arthur Williams Jr., 6-4, 270, 4.79, Miami Carol City HS (Miami Gardens, FL)

- or -

Slot Receiver

1 -- Paul Moore, 5-10, 170, 4.4, Fr, Miami Central HS (FL)

or

81 -- Bryan Russell, 5-10, 175, Fr, Scripps Ranch HS

Left Tackle

78 -- Justin Klingerman, 6-4, 310, So., Valley Center HS

Left Guard

60 -- Tom Berry, 6-4, 280, Fr, Murrieta Valley HS

Center

67 -- Mike Tuimavave, 6-0, 315, So, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Right Guard

65 -- Samuelu Tupua, 6-3, 315, Fr, Banning HS (Wilmington)

Right Tackle

77 -- Brice Schwab, 6-8, 320, Fr, Moniteau HS (West Sunbury, PA)

PAT, Field Goals, Kickoffs

14 -- Collin Yost, 6-4, 190, Fr, Linfield Christian HS (Temecula)

Punts

41 -- Briton Forester, 5-10, 185, So, La Costa Canyon HS /  University of Hawaii

Long Snapper

43 -- Gator Pugh, 6-1, 190, Fr, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Holders

13 -- Brett Wininger, 6-0, 190, 4.6, So, Vista Murrieta HS

10 -- Loa Madon, 6-0, 195, 4.6, So, Vista HS

DEFENSE

Ends

96 -- Braxton Brennan, 6-3, 240, So, Elsinore HS

or

55 -- Robert Schenck, 6-3, 239, 4.63, Fr., Mission Hills HS / Fresno State

95 -- Andrew Sugg, 6-5,  242, So, Temecula Chaparral HS

Also: 93 -- Michael Reid, 6-2, 228, Fr, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Tackles

50 -- Jordan Peiler, 5-11,  260, So, Vista HS

or

92 -- Jamar Fleming, 6-3, 285, Fr, Union (SC) HS

91 -- Jonathan Mitchell, 6-2, 300, So, Escondido HS

Also: 99 -- Ron Lewis 6-3, 270, Fr, Elsinore HS

Middle Linebacker

54 -- David Motu, 6-0, 230, So, Oceanside HS

or

52 -- Tyler Seau, 5-10, 235, Fr, Mission Hills HS

Outside Linebackers

11 -- Nate Paopao, 6-1, 220, So, El Camino HS

44 -- Shane Melbo, 6-1, 225, So, San Pasqual HS

Also: 43 -- Gator Pugh, 6-1, 190, Fr, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Corners

21 -- Anthony Young, 5-9, 175, 4.51, Fr, Colony (Ontario) HS

24 -- Chris Calvert, 6-0, 170, So, Rancho Buena Vista HS

Strong Safety

2 -- Arthur Render, 5-11, 180, 4.45, So, Miami Northwestern HS (Miami, FL) / Pasadena City College

or

10 -- Loa Madon, 6-0, 195, 4.6, So, Vista HS

Free Safety

30 -- Chris Boudreaux, 6-0,  185, 4.4, Fr., Centennial HS (Las Vegas, NV)

or

13 -- Brett Wininger, 6-0, 190, 4.6, So, Vista Murrieta HS

Kickoff Returns

26 -- Tyler Lavea, 5-9,  185, Fr, Oceanside HS

8 -- Orenzo Davis, 5-8, 180, 4.4, Fr, Columbine HS (Littleton, CO)

Punt Returns

81 -- Bryan Russell, 5-10, 175, Fr, Scripps Ranch HS

1 -- Paul Moore, 5-10, 170, 4.4, Fr, Miami Central HS (FL)

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FOOTBALL: Fullerton 36,  Palomar 23

ABOVE: Quarterback Matt Christian is off and running on a keeper. No.  87 is tight end Jared Bamber.. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW LEFT: Orenzo Davis, who rushed for 92 yards on 15 carries. BELOW RIGHT: Ben Fanene, who contributed seven tackles.

Comets fall after late call on onside kick recovery

FULLERTON (11-1-08) -- A near-miracle finish by Palomar came up short against Fullerton College on Saturday night after a controversial call on a late onside kick by Collin Yost  that the Comets recovered.

Following a  lengthy delay, the officials ruled Palomar didn't have enough players on the short side on the onside kick, the Comets were penalized 5 yards and had to re-kick.

On the second attempt, the Hornets recovered and tacked on seven additional points to make the final score look more one-sided than the game really was 36-23.

Palomar had pulled to within 29-23 on a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Christian to Martavious Lee with 3:54 to play in the game. The onside kick and ensuing controversy followed.

Christian, who didn't practice all week due to a concussion sustained the previous week against Long Beach City College, was 17-for-32 passing for 178 yards and three touchdowns as the Comets fell to 6-3 on the season, 2-3 in the SCFA National Division Southern Conference.

Fullerton advances to 7-1 and 3-0.

Lee had six receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns, the first one coming on an 11-yard pass from Christian. Paul Moore had four catches for 41 yards and a 19-yard TD catch. Keith Duhart had three catches for 61 yards, including a 56-yarder.

Orenzo Davis rushed for 92 yards on 15 carries..

Palomar also scored on a 22-yard field goal by Yost and two Yost PAT kicks.

Nate Paopao (seven tackles, inclujding four solo, one sack, one tackle for loss, one pass break-up) led the Comets defensively. John Middlemas had seven tackles (five solo), including a tackle for a loss. Ben Fanene had seven tackles (four solo).

Braxton Brennan blocked a field goal try.

Palomar will close the regular season against Orange Coast next Saturday afternoon at Escondido's Wilson Stadium.

GAME STATS | SEASON STATS

FOOTBALL: Comets at Hornets

ABOVE: Robert Schenck (55) levels Long Beach City College quarterback Josh Powell just as he releases the football..-- (Photo by Hugh Gerhardt). BELOW LEFT: Running back Tyler Lavea, the Comets' leading rusher. -- (Photo by Rick Rowell)

Palomar travels to Fullerton for huge match-up

SAN MARCOS (10-31-08) -- Crunch time arrives for the Palomar football team Saturday.

The Comets (6-2, 2-2), ranked No. 27 in the nation  by JCGridiron.com, ninth in the state by the California Community College Football Coaches Association and fifth in the Southern California coaches' poll, will try to keep their playoff hopes alive when they go on the road to play Fullerton College.

Kickoff for the Southern California Football Association National Division Southern Conference game will be at 6 p.m. at Fullerton Union High School District Stadium, located on the Fullerton High School campus which adjoins Fullerton College..

The Hornets come (6-1, 3-0) come in ranked No. 12 nationally by the J.C. Grid-Wire, No.14 nationally by JCGridiron.com, No. 8 in the state and No. 4 in Southern California.

Fullerton handed Saddleback its first conference loss last week 24-21.

"It should be a physical game -- between the No. 4 and Nod. 5 teams in Southern California," Palomar coach Joe Early said. "They're coming off a huge win (over Saddleback) and will be at home. Maybe we should re-name that place Comet Field. We've been up there the last three, four years. We always play at Fullerton, so it's hard to keep track."

In reality, this is the third straight season the Comets have played at Fullerton.

"We've had a a good week of practice and, hopefully, that will carry over to Saturday night," Early said.

To reach Fullerton Union High  School District Stadium, take I-5 North, merge onto CA 57 North toward Pomona, take the Chapman Ave. (exit 6B) toward Fullerton, turn right on E. Chapman Ave., turn sharp left to stay on E. Chapman Ave. Fullerton College will be on the right at 321 E. Chapman Ave. Fullerton High School adjoins  the Fullerton College campus at 201 E. Chapman Ave.

The game will be broadcast live over the air by KKSM-AM 1320, Cox Digital Cable Channel 958 and over the internet at http://www.palomar.edu/kksm/live.html. Jordan Carruth will be the play-by-play announcer while former Palomar and University of Hawaii running back Josh Galea'i will be the color man.

FOOTBALL: Palomar 20, Long Beach CC 7

ABOVE: Orenzo Davis breaks off a 40-yard run which set up his own 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. --  (Photo by Hugh Gerhardt). BELOW LEFT: Arthur Render, who had eight tackles and two huge hits to break up passes. BELOW RIGHT: Tyler Lavea, who scored the go-ahead touchdown with a big second effort.

Comets drive 99 yds., 2 ft., 11 in., sink Vikings

ESCONDIDO (10-25-08) -- Palomar stopped Long Beach City College on a fourth-down play at the goal line, then drove 99 yards, 2 feet, 11 inches for what turned out to be the winning touchdown in a 20-7 football victory on Saturday.

Trailing 7-3, the nationally 28th-ranked Comets (6-2, 2-2 SCFA National Division Southern Conference), stopped the Vikings on a fourth-and-goal play from inside the 1-yard line midway through the third quarter.

Quarterback Matt Christian then drove them the length of the field in 17 plays and Tyler Lavea (76  yards rushing on 15 carries) scored the go-ahead touchdown with a second-effort burst into the end zone from the 3-yard line. That, plus Collin Yost's first of two PATs, put Palomar on top for the first time 10-7 with 1:59 left in the third quarter. Martavious Lee (eight receptions for 96 yards) made two key catches of Christian passes on the drive, including a 10-yarder that advanced the ball from the 1-yard line to the 11 for a first down on a daring call by offensive coordinator Dan Early that even surprised head coach Joe Early and helped changed the dynamics of the game.. The Comets stopped the Vikings on three-and-out after the ensuing kickoff, then drove got the ball right back down the field and Orenzo Davis (70 yards on seven carries) broke off a 40-yard run down to the 1 to set up his own 1-yard touchdown with made it 17-7 three minutes into the final quarter.

Yost, the kickoff man, then tackled Long Beach's Stephen Burton at midfield at the end of a 50-yard return to save a touchdown.

The Comets got the ball right back again on the first of two late Brett Wininger interceptions and made the final score 20-7 13 plays later on Yost's second field goal of the afternoon from 27 yards out.

Wininger's interception at the goal line and 31-yard return as the clock wound down put the icing on the cake for the Comets.

Long Beach had taken a 7-0 lead just one-minute, 18 seconds into the game on a blown pass coverage which resulted in a 65-yard touchdown completion from quarterback Josh Powell to Burton. Yost got the Comets on the scoreboard with a 37-yard field goal midway through the second quarter that cut the Vikings' lead to 7-3 at the half.

Christian was 15-for-24 passing for 164 yards with a series of drops.

Defensively, Tyler Seau stepped in at middle linebacker for David Motu, who missed the game with an injury, and came up big with 11 tackles, seven of them solo.

Wininger also stepped up in the absence of injured free safety Chris Boudreaux, who was  in the game for only two plays, with his two interceptions and six tackles (four solo).

Arthur Render had eight tackles (six solo), made three huge hits and broke up two passes. Gator Pugh had seven tackles (five solo) and 1.5 tackles for losses. Nate Paopao had six tackles (five solo) including a tackle for a loss. Jordan Peiler and Michael Reid had big hits on sacks of Powell.

Anthony Young blocked a field goal attempt.

Briton Forester had three punts for a 40.7-yard average, one which pinned the Vikings at their 17-yard line.

GAME STATS | SEASON STATS | NORTH COUNTY TIMES STORY | UNION-TRIBUNE STORY  

FOOTBALL: Long Beach City College at Palomar

Marquis Leauma scores on a 1-yard run against Saddleback. Tight end Arthur Williams Jr. opens the hole... --  (Photo by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

Comets host Long Beach City in playoff push

SAN MARCOS (10-23-08) -- Palomar -- ranked No. 28 in the nation by JCGridiron.com, No. 11 in the state by the California Community College Football Coaches Association and No. 6 in Southern California in the CCCAA / CCSFCA Regional poll -- will try to take another step toward a possible playoff berth on Saturday.

The Comets (5-2) will host Long Beach City College (3-3) and its potent offense in a Southern California Football Association National Division Southern Conference match-up at Escondido High School's Wilson Stadium. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

Long Beach put 44 points on the board in a loss to Saddleback last week.

"They've put points on the board against almost everyone," Palomar coach Joe Early said. "They look very athletic."

Palomar unveiled some offensive fireworks of its own in Matt Christian's first start at quarterback last Saturday, jumping out to a 35-0 halftime leading and beating Santa Ana 38-14 on the road.

"We're in an end-of-season playoff push," Early said. "It's a big game."

Tyler Seau will get the start in place of injured David Motu at middle linebacker. If Chris Boudreaux is unable to start at free safety, also due to an injury, Brett Winiger will go in his place. All four are among the Comets' leading tacklers.

The game will be broadcast live over the air by KKSM-AM 1320, Cox Digital Cable Channel 958 and over the internet at http://www.palomar.edu/kksm/live.html. Jordan Carruth will be the play-by-play announcer while former Palomar and University of Hawaii running back Josh Galea'i will be the color man.

FOOTBALL: Comets 38, Santa Ana 14

ABOVE: Orenzo Davis follows tight end Jared Bamber's block. -- (Photo by Hugh Cox). BELOW LEFT: Quarterback Matt Christian, who was 13-for-16 passing for 205 yards and three touchdowns while seeing limited duty in the second half.

Christian breaks out in rout over Santa Ana

SANTA ANA (10-18-08) -- Matt Christian made his debut as Palomar's starting quarterback a memorable one Saturday night as the Comets blew out Santa Ana 38-14 at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Fresno State transfer and his teammates put together a near-perfect first two quarters in rolling up 331 yards in total offense in 30 minutes to forge a 35-0 halftime lead.

Christian passed for 186 yards of his 205 yards and all three of his touchdowns in the first half and, on the defensive side of the ball, Chris Calvert led an equally dominant first-half effort by the Comets with a pair of big interceptions.

Palomar (5-2) forced Santa Ana (4-3) into a three-and-out to begin the National Division Southern Conference match-up and, after Christian's 15-yard completion to Martavious Lee for a first down, Tyler Lavea raced 49 yards up the middle for a touchdown on the Comets' second play from scrimmage. Briton Forester made his first of five PAT kicks and Palomar led 7-0 with just 1:13 into the game.

And the rout was on.

Christian threw deep to Lee for a 46-yard touchdown that made it 14-0 after one quarter and, in the second quarter, Christian and Lee hooked up on a 30-yard TD play, Orenzo Davis scored on a 4-yard run and Christian threw a 14-yard strike to Paul Moore for his third touchdown.

Not even two potential disasters involving the two players who are tied for Palomar's season in in tackles could mar the Comets' near-perfect opening half:

Middle linebacker David Motu's shoulder popped out in the first quarter and free safety Chris Boudreaux sustained an ankle sprain when he was cut by a Santa Ana player after a play 2-minutes, 30-seconds into the second quarter.

Motu returned to the game and finished with six tackles. Boudreaux spent the rest of the evening on crutches, after a fast start which saw him record three solo stops on four first-quarter tackles, a tackle for a loss and a pass break-up.

Various injuries the rest of the way made Palomar trainer Dennis Greenhill the busiest man at the stadium, and the topper for the Comets came when Christian left the game on the third series of the second half with leg cramps.

But by then the damage had been done. After two Santa Ana touchdowns, one which was set up by a fumbled kickoff at the 10-yard line, the Comets tacked on the game's final three points on Forester's 27-yard field goal with 2:51 left in the game.

Christian finished 13-for-16 passing for 205 yards and the three touchdowns. Lee had four receptions for 111 yards, Moore four for 72 yards. Lavea rushed for 77 yards on just eight carries.

Defensively, Arthur Render (six tackles, five solo) delivered the most violent hit of the night on Santa Ana's quarterback and Gator Pugh had nearly as violent a hit on a sack that helped set the tone for the defense early. Loa Madon had six tackles and an interception which set up Forester's late field goal. Calvert had five tackles and a pass break-up on which he nearly had a third interception. Braxton Brennan and Robert Schenck also had five tackles each.

Forester also delivered a 36-yard punt that pinned the Dons at their 2-yard line, setting up the scenario that continued with Madon's interception and was capped by the field goal.

The Comets kept their Southern California playoff hopes alive by winning for the first time in three conference games. They return home to face Long Beach City College next Saturday at Wilson Stadium in Escondido.

GAME STATS | SEASON STATS.

Comets resurface as No. 28 in national rankings

SANTA ANA (10-20-08) --  Palomar resurfaced in the JCGridrion.com football rankings as the No. 28 team in the nation on Monday.

College of the Canyons is ranked No. 1 by JCGridiron.com, followed in the top 10 by No. 2 Mt. SAC, No. 3 Snow (Utah), No. 4 Navarro (Texas), No. 5 Sierra, No. 6 Fort Scott (Kansas), N. 7 Butler (Kansas), No. 8 El Camino, No. 9 Foothill and No. 10 Blinn I(Texas). The Comets are one spot behind Mississippi Gulf Coast and one notch ahead of Phoenix College in the rankings.

FOOTBALL: Palomar at Santa Ana

ABOVE: Tackle Brice Schwab (77), a 6-foot-8, 320-pound freshman, blocks for running back Orenzo Davis.  -- (Photo by Rick Rowell). BELOW LEFT: Quarterback Matt Christian

Comets play Dons on the road Saturday night

SAN MARCOS (10-17-08) -- With its backs to the wall in an effort to reach the Southern California Community College Playoffs, Palomar will go on the road to face a physical Santa Ana team Saturday night. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

The Comets, who will switch up their two-man quarterback rotation and start Fresno State transfer Matt Christian, will match records of 4-2 (overall) and 0-2 (Southern California Football Association National Division Southern Conference) against the Dons' 4-2, 1-1 marks.

"Our staff watched Santa Ana beat Orange Coast last week. They get to play at home again and we're sure we'll see their best," Palomar coach Joe Early said.

The Dons overcame a 27-14 deficit late in the game against Orange Coast, took a late lead, then blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt with seven seconds to play. The Comets, meanwhile, spotted Saddleback leads of 17-0 and 24-7, battled back and had the ball late with a three-point deficit, but couldn't get a key first down on a dropped pass and lost 24-21.

"I thought we played well last week. We gave our ourselves a chance to win the game," Early said. "But the bottom line is that we've got to get a conference win."

Added Early: "Santa Ana is always very tough at home."

Steven Carroll, who splits time at quarterback, will be in relief of Christian on Saturday night.

FOOTBALL: Saddleback 24, Palomar 21

ABOVE: . --  David Motu) sacks Saddleback quarterback Brian Shrock. Chris Boudreaux (30) closes in to help. BELOW RIGHT: Jordan Peiler (50) and two teammates close in for gang tackle.. --  (Photos by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

Comets start slow, finish fast, fall short 24-21

ESCONDIDO (10-11-08) -- Palomar fell behind Saddleback 24-7 after three quarters, came back strong but couldn't capitalize on a late possession and dropped a 24-21 decision to the Gauchos on Saturday.

The Comets closed the gap to the final three points on a 1-yard run by Marquis Leauma with 14:02 left in the game -- set up by a 42-yard Matt Christian-to-Maurice Patterson pass play --- and a 5-yard pass from Christian to Martavious Lee with 3:58 to play in the SCFA National Division Southern Conference game at Escondido High School's Wilson Stadium.

Palomar then forced Saddleback to go three-and-out but was unable to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs.

"I'm proud the way we battled back, but we have to figure out a way to win," said Palomar coach Joe Early, whose team is 4-2 on the season,  0-2 in the Southern Conference. Saddleback is 4-2, 2-0.

The Comets scored their first touchdown on an 8-yard Christian-to-Stanley Paul pass with 18 seconds left in the half that closed a 17-point Saddleback lead to 17-7.

Free safety Chris Boudreaux (11 tackles, seven solo), middle linebacker David Motu (11 tackles, six solo) and strong safety Loa Madon (10 tackles, six solo, one pass break-up) led a hard-hitting performance by Palomar's defensive unit. Chris Calvert caused a fumble at the Palomar 1 that resulted in a touchback and prevented a Saddleback touchdown.

The Comets were hurt by an untimely fumble and dropped balls, one on a screen pass that appeared was headed for a huge gainer

GAME STATS | SEASON STATS.

FOOTBALL: Saddleback at Palomar

Shane Melbo (44) starts at outside linebacker for the Comets.. --  (Photo by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

Comets try to get back on track against Gauchos

SAN MARCOS (10-10-08) -- Palomar (4-1) will attempt to get back on track after last week's loss to Grossmont when the Comets return home to host Saddleback (3-2) on Saturday.

The Comets saw their No. 15 J.C. Grid-Wire national ranking go sailing out the window this week and slipped from eighth to 14th in the California Community College Football Coaches Association state poll and from fourth to 10th in the CCCAA / CCCFCA Southern California coaches' poll.

The Gauchos, who are coming off a 63-28 victory over a good Santa Ana team in their most complete performance of the season, come in ranked 30th in the nation by JCGridrion.com, 16th in the state and seventh in Southern California.

"We definitely need to get back on track," said Palomar coach Joe Early. "We're obviously displeased in our performance last week, and we have to swing the momentum back in our direction. We have to get our focus and sense of urgency back.

"Saddleback presents problems with their quickness onboth sides of the ball and their mis-direction offense."

FOOTBALL: Palomar at Grossmont

ABOVE: Palomar's David Motu (54) and Lorenzo Greenwich (hidden below ball-carrier) stop Grossmont's Jamar Reed. No. 44 coming up on the play is Shane Melbo. -- (Photo by Hugh Cox). BELOW RIGHT: Orenzo Davis' 71-yard kickoff return sets up Comets' field goal..  --  (Photo by Rick Rowell)

Griffins end Comets' win streak vs. county teams

EL CAJON (10-4-08) -- Grossmont College ended Palomar's 20-year win streak against San Diego County opponents at 29 games on Saturday afternoon.

The Griffins (3-2) embarrassed the Comets (4-1) in the process, handing them their first loss of the season -- and worst defeat since 2001 -- 49-3 at Mashin-Roth Field on the Grossmont campus,

Grossmont had a plethora of help from Palomar, which turned the ball over seven times (with five of the turnovers leading to Griffin scores). The Comets also had a big time problem with their tackling game -- along with problems with their punting game.

The Griffins made the Comets pay and pay and pay for the misfires, ruining Palomar's inaugural game in the new Southern California Football Association's National Division Southern Conference.

The loss was Palomar's first against a county opponent since the Comets were beaten by Southwestern 32-25 back on Nov. 29, 1988 at the Jaguars' Devore Stadium. And it was the Comets' worst defeat since they fell to City College of San Francisco 61-12 in the 2001 state community college championship game in Visalia.

Even on the disastrous day, the Comets did manage bright spots.

"We'll look at the video, find what bright spots there were and try to build on them," coach Joe Early said. "But the bottom line is that we didn't come to play. Grossmont did.

"Nobody is going to feel sorry for us, nobody cares we are such a freshman team and we've got to put this behind us, get our act together and get ready to play next week (against Saddleback next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Escondido's Wilson Stadium). The schedule does not get any easier.

"Fortunately, this was one game, and a lot of the things we did are correctable. But I want our players to remember this taste in their mouth, beginning Monday at practice and every day after that. I hope they couldn't stand it. I couldn't."

For Palomar, quarterback Steven Carroll faked a handoff and broke off a 39-yard run into Grossmont territory on the first play of the game.

Running back Deswin Dennis ran for 55 yards and four first downs on seven carries as the clock ran down in the fourth quarter.

In between, Orenzo Davis' 71-yard kickoff return set up Briton Forester's 37-yard field goal with 12:06 left in the first half for Palomar's only points of the afternoon.

Chris Boudreaux intercepted a pass late in the second quarter, short-circuiting a Grossmont drive, and had 1.5 sacks and two tackles for losses..

Cornerback Lorenzo Greenwich recorded nine tackles, six solo, and broke up a pass. David Motu and Anthony Young each had eight tackles and a sack. Gator Pugh contributed seven tackles.

Shane Melbo contributed six tackles (four solo), a sack and a blocked extra point. Others with at least five tackles: Boudreaux, Arthur Render and Jonathan Mitchell (Render and Mitchell also with a sack apiece) and Braxton Brennan.

GAME STATS | SEASON STATS

FOOTBALL: Palomar at Grossmont

Tyler Lavea is the Comets' No. 1 rusher and team leader. --  (Photo by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

Nationally 15th-ranked Comets will open play

in new conference vs. Griffins on Saturday

SAN MARCOS (10-3-08) -- There are plenty of reasons that Saturday's football match-up between Palomar and host Grossmont will be a huge one for both sides.

• The game, slated for Grossmont's Mashin-Roth Field at 1 p.m., will be the new Southern California Football Association National Division Southern Conference opener for both teams,

• It will pit San Diego County's two marquee community college programs against one another.. Palomar (4-0), which is ranked No. 15 in the nation by the J.C. Grid-Wire, has captured three of the four national championships won by county teams. Grossmont (2-2 but coming off a 51-16 victory over Chaffey), is the other county team to win a national title, in 2005.

• The Comets have a 29-game win streak against San Diego County opponents, dating back to the 1988 season. And that grates on the Griffins, who before Palomar's 56-42 victory at the same venue a year ago had only played the Comets twice, both resulting in Palomar bowl vicfories, since the Griffins left the now defunct Mission Conference following the 1993 season.

Besides its No. 15 Grid-Wire ranking, coach Joe Early's Comets are ranked No. 16 in the nation by JCGridiron.com, No. 8 in the state by the California Community College Football Coaches Association and No. 4 in the official CCCAA / CCCFCA Southern California coaches' poll.

The Griffins are ranked No. 17 in Southern California.

"It's the conference opener, so it's a big game for us and a chance to win the (unofficial) San Diego County championship," said Early, whose Comets have already defeated the other two county teams, Southwestern and San Diego Mesa.

"We anticipate Grossmont to be a good football team that will be very psyched up because of the natural rivalry and the chance to play us at their place, again."

According to Early, Grossmont, which has been either very good or very average in the early season, is not hard to figure out.

"When they've protected the ball and haven't taken themselves out of games with penalties, they've been a different team," he said.

Added Early: "We've got to create turnovers and we've got to play our style and not get caught up in the emotions that go on during a game."

Early will not name a quarterback starter until Saturday. Steven Carroll, who has started all four games and passed for four touchdowns in last week's 47-41, four-overtime victory over College of the Desert in a battle of unbeatens, is coming off a forehead laceration that required stitches. If Carroll doesn't start, he'll be replaced by Matt Christian, who ran for a touchdown, then passed for the winning TD in the fourth overtime, against COD.

Tyler Lavea, who rushed for 105 yards against the Roadrunners, is the Comets' on-the-field offensive and spiritual leader.

Palomar's defense, which has played off big plays by free safety Chris Boudreaux all season and has been sparked recently by big hits by strong safety / cornerback and University of West-Virginia-bound Arthur Render's, big hits, was led last week by corner Anthony Young (12 tackles, 11 of them solo, interception, two fumble recoveries, pass break-up) and a big, game-clinch stop by tackle Jonathan Mitchell on the game's final  play.

To reach Grossmont College go South on I-15. Merge onto CA-52 East via Exit 11. Merge onto CA-125 South via exit on the left. Take  the Grossmont Drive exit and turn right onto the main campus road. Mashin-Roth Field is located on the lower part of the hillside campus, on the right.

FOOTBALL: National Rankings

Grid-Wire moves Palomar to 15th in the nation

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Palomar moved up to No. 15 in the J.C. Grid-Wire national rankings after Saturday night's 47-41, four-overtime victory over College of the Desert -- when the Comets (4-0) handed the Roadrunners their first regular-season loss since the 2006 season. JCGridiron.com has the Comets ranked No. 16.

Mt. SAC, College of the Canyons, El Camino, Navarro (Texas), Sierra, Foothill, Snow (Utah), Blinn (Texas), Butler (Kansas) and Butte are ranked first  through 10th, respectively, a spot ahead of Jones County (Miss.) at 11th. COD is No. 22.

.FOOTBALL: Palomar 47, COD 41 (4 OT's)

TOP: Tyler Lavea scores on 11-yard pass out of the backfield from quarterback Steven Carroll to tie the game at 28-28 after Palomar trailed in the first overtime Saturday evening.. Leading inerference in front  of Lavea is 6-foot-3, 314-pound freshman guard Samuelu Tupua. -- (Photo by Hugh Cox). BELOW LEFT: Corner Arthur Render, who had big hits and an interception. BELOW RIGHT: Matt Christian, who ran for one touchdown and threw a 1-yard pass to Marquis Powell for what turned out to be the winning TD in the fourth overtime. LOWER LEFT: Braxton Brennan (96) helps stop COD running back Leonard Mason on final tackle short of first down that ended the game. -- (Photo by Hugh Cox)

Comets win battle of unbeatens in fourth O.T.

ESCONDIDO (9-27-08) -- Palomar's football Comets proved their meddle in the toughest of situations Saturday evening. 

Extending themselves to their physical and mental limits, the Comets outlasted College of the Desert 47-41 in four overtimes at Escondido High School's Wilson Stadium in a battle of unbeaten teams.

The Comets, who led 21-0 after three quarters before the Roadrunners answered with 28 straight points to lead in the first overtime, advanced to 4-0 on the year -- while handing the visitors their first regular-season loss since the 2006 season.

Quarterbacks Steven Carroll (13-for-17 passing, 184 yards, four touchdowns) and Matt Christian, who threw the game-winning 1-yard touchdown pass and also ran for a TD, had a hand of six of Palomar's seven touchdowns.

The Comets trailed in two of the overtimes, tied the game 41-41 on Tyler Lavea's 10-yard touchdown run in the third overtime and finally secured the final margin of victory on Christan's 1-yard pass to Marquis Powell in the fourth OT.

Lavea rushed for 105 yards on 19 carries. He caught a 12-yard pass from Carroll to tie the game after COD led 28-21 in the first overtime. And his 10-yard TD run tied the game again after the Roadrunners led 41-35 in the third OT.

"I'm really proud of this group of guys," coach Joe Early said. "They stayed the course, and the kids believed in what we told them. This shows what kind of character this team has."

The Comets finished off the Roadrunners on the last play of the fourth overtime when they gang-tackled COD running back Leonard Mason short of a first down at the 16-yard line on a fourth-and-1 situation.

Palomar stunted right into the play and Mason ran straight into 6-foot-2, 300-pound tackle Jonathan Mitchell.

""That's like running into a brick wall," said Palomar co-defensive coordinator J.G. Aegerter. Jamar Fleming, Jordan Peiler, Braxton Brennan and middle linebacker David Motu were among other key players on the stop.. While Mason was being hit from the front and side, Brennan pounded him from behind.

Cornerback Anthony Young was all over the field for the Comets' defensive unit with 12 tackles (11 solo), two fumble recoveries, an interception and a pass break-up. Motu finished with eight tackles (six solo) an interception and a tackle for a loss. West Virginia-bound corner Arthur Render delivered a series of big-time hits and intercepted a pass in his best game of the young season.

Back on the offensive side of the ball, Martavious Lee (four catches for 98 yards and four touchdowns) and Paul Moore (six receptions for 63 yards and a TD) had big games.

The Comets frittered away the three-touchdown lead after three quarters as COD came back to tie the game 21-21 at the end of regulation play. The teams then traded touchdowns and extra points in the overtimes and, beginning with the third overtime, by book rule had to attempt two-point conversions.

Carroll's 47-yard scoring bomb to Lee gave Palomar a 7-0 lead just 1 minute, 48 seconds into the game. The Comets made it 14-0 later in the first quarter on Carroll's 18-yard pass to Moore and made it 21-0 on Christian's 7-yard run.

Strong safety Loa Maddon forced a fumble and broke up a pass.

End Andrew Sugg had six tac