Wachholtz goes out in style in tough Beach Bowl loss
TORRANCE (11-18-2017) -- Sophomore linebacker Chandler Wachholtz ended his two-year community college football career in style, and freshman punter Tyson Dyer deposited a 70-yard punt that was downed at the El Camino College 1-yard line on the final play of the first half. but Palomar dropped a 28-21 heartbreaker to host El Camino College on Saturday in the Beach Bowl at Murdoch Stadium.
Wachholtz, who came to Palomar from La Costa Canyon High School where he played for all-time great Palomar linebacker and former Comets assistant coach Sean Sovacool, finished his final game as a Comet with 14 tackles (11 solo), includimg three tackles for loss. He also forced three of the five El Camino fumbles that the Comets recovered to keep the game within reach. His performance resulted in being named Defensive Player of the Game by the Beach Bowl Committee.
Dyer's 70-yard punt on a play that originated at the Palomar 29-yard line tied him for third on the all-time Palomar list. Ryan Hotchkiss, who went on to become UTEP's punter for two seasons, had a 79-yarder vs. Golden West in 2003. Briton Forester, who later was the starting punter at the University of Arkansas for two seasons, had a 77-yarder vs. Orange Coast in 2009. Dyer, who also had a punt that was fair caught at the 12 yard line on Saturday, moved to second on Palomar's all-time list of punts inside the 20-yard line.
The Comets battled the favored Warriors, the third highest-scoring team in community college football nationally during the current season, tooth and nail from start to finish.
Trailing 7-0, Palomar tied the game wih 11:32 to play in the first quarter on a 17-yard pass play from quarterback Matt Romero (24-for-46, 214 yards) to Devin Nilson (6 receptions, 75 yards) and Tyler Vargas' first of four PAT kicks.
Then, after being able to get into the El Camino end zone from deep in the red zone and falling behind 21-7 at halftime, the Comets came back to close the gap to 21-14 when Kavila Muller recovered a fumble at the 3-yard line and Currie Thompson powered into the end zone for a touchdown on the ensuing play.
Issiah Aguero then scored on a 2-yard run, trimming a two-touchdown Warriors lead to 28-21. The Comets had two other late opportunities to tie the game but both attempts ended badly
Bryce Walker caughg six passes for the Comets for 67 yards, and Chris Grimes had five receptions for 53 yards.
Orion Diaz, Devonte Woods, Brandon Valdez zprice and Austin Aluala also recovered fumbles for Palomar defensively. Maxwell Scott had eight tackles, one for a loss. Kaaina Lewis also recorded eight tackles. J.D. Fox recorded six tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. Arthur Mosley forced a fumble.