Romero throws for 457 yards, 3 TDs and beats Moorpark 38-34 with 4:26 remaining
MOORPARK (9-23-2017) -- Matt Romero passed for 457 yards, the most by a Palomar quarterback in 24 years, and hit Devin Nilson for the winning touchdown with 4 minutes, 26 seconds left on Saturday night, giving the Comets a wild 38-34 non-conference victory over Moorpark in a game in which there were eight lead changes.
Romero finished with three touchdown passes as he and Moorpark quarterback Tanne Darling, who threw for 418 yards, combined for 875 yards passing and six touchdowns. The two teams combined for 1,076 yards in total offense as the Comets advanced to 3-1 on the season and the Raiders fell to 1-3.
Romero's other TD passes went to Rashad Harper for 75 yards with 52 seconds remaining in the first half and to Nate Johnson for 2 yards with 3:09 to play in the game. Palomar also scored on runs of 9 yards and 1 yard by Issiah Aguero, returning from the injured list, and a field goal and five PATs by Tyler Vargas.
Harper finished with five receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown, Johnson seven receptions for 118 yards and a TD, Marquise Williams six receptions for 87 yards, Nilson seven receptions for 77 yards and a TD and Aguero six receptions for 32 yards. Tight end added one catch for 5 yards, and Johnson completed an end-around option pass for 36 yards.
The Comets defense rose up and stopped the Raiders in a frantic attempt to move down the field and win the game in the closing seconds.
Defensively, Maxwell Scott (8 tackles, all solo, and a pass break-up) and Chandler Wachholtz (8 tackles, 6 solo, a tackle for loss and quarterback hurry) led the Comets. Danny Wood had 7 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass break-up. J.D. Fox contributed 5 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Carter Couch and Trea Samifua combined on a pair of sacks.
Romero's 457 yards were the most by a Palomar QB since Tom Lunginbill passed for the Palomar single-game record of 557 yards against Southwestern during the Comets' 1993 unbeaten national championship season. Romero's total from Saturday night ranksh him at Mo. 8 on the all-time single game list. Luginbill holds down four spots on the list.
"We didn't play our best game, but we scratched and clawed and found a way to win. We need to clean some things up, but it's a win," coach Joe Early said. "The defense made a big stop, then the offense came down the field in two minutes and won it for us. Then the defense shut them down at the end. I'd rather win ugly than win pretty."
Palomar, which has been on the road for a scrimmage followed by three of its first four games, will return home to play Chaffey in its final non-conference game next Saturday night at Chick Embrey Field at Wilson Stadium in Escondido as the Comets try to go to 4-1 on the season. That will be followed by a bye week and a five-game Southern Conference South schedule that will feature a match-up with defending state and national champion Fullerton, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation in one set of rankings and No. 2 in the nation in another. That game will be played on Oct. 28 in Palomar's only afternoon game of the regular season.