Comets back in win column

ESCONDIDO, CA (11/4/2023) -- Palomar College desperately needed a win and a 52-13 dominant showing over Southwestern Collgee did just the trick.

It was all Palomar through the majority of the first half, scoring two touchdowns on the ground and one in the air to take a 21-0 lead. Southwestern found their way into the endzone just before half on a 2-yard run. Palomar then kicked a 25-yard field goal to open the second half, but Southwestern wasn't done fighting yet. They scored on a 14-yard pass to make the score 24-13 Palomar. The Comets then scored 28 points in the fourth quarter. Omarion Ireland scored on a 5-yard run, then Gavin Galzote scored on a 4-yard run. The defense had their first points of the season on a 28-yard strip-sack by Jacob Sisson and Andy Devine scooped the ball for an 8-yard touchdown. Galzote put the exclamation point on the scoreboard with a 1-yard run with a minute to go. 

The Comets totaled 364 yards of offense, 137 in the air and 227 on the ground. The defense held the Jaguars to just 105 total yards. Jaden White was the starting quarterback and he finished the night 9-20 for 137 yards and one touchdown. Ireland ended the night with 112 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Galzote finished with 73 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. White ran the ball four times for 25 yards and one touchdown. Christian Gonzales-Ponce ended the night with four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss for six yards. Omar Ali and Sisson each had a forced fumble and Tristian Garcia, Devine and Craig Vargas each had a fumble recovery.

Palomar moves to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play. They will head to San Diego Mesa College to play for the Kings of the County title. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday.