Comets drop close one to Olympians

ESCONDIDO, CA (10/02/21)- On Saturday, the Palomar Comets took on San Diego Mesa in their fifth game of the season, this time falling just short on a 31-27 final score.

Quarterback Zeke Payne (Rancho Bernardo) found wide receiver Brandon Johnson (El Camino) for a 67-yard touchdown 10 seconds into the game to kick off the scoring. San Diego Mesa responded with quarterback Gunnar Gray finding Jevin Dorsey for a 3-yard touchdown. In the second quarter, Payne found wide receiver Tajae Brooks (Escondido) for a 39-yard touchdown. Running back Tawee Walker (Centennial) scored on a 35-yard run to push the lead at the end of the half. In the second half, it was all Mesa, as they scored 21 unanswered points, including another touchdown pass from Gray to Dorsey to take the lead for good.

Payne went 15-34, 281 passing yards, a season-high, and three passing touchdowns. Payne leads the conference in passing yards. Walker carried the ball 17 times for 99 yards and one touchdown. Johnson led the Comets receivers with two receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Defensive back Cullen Shea (San Marcos) led the Comet defense with eight tackles. Fellow defensive back Jalen Dye (Cathedral Catholic) snagged two interceptions for the Comets. The defense continues their streak of at least one interception in each game. Landon Ogles (Rancho Bernardo) knocked down three extra points. Ogles also pinned the Olympians on the 1-yard line for a 46-yard punt. 

The Comets put up 407 yards of total offense, 281 yards came from the air and 126 yards came from the ground. The defense gave up 444 yards, 202 yards came from the air and 242 yards came from the ground. The Comets committed 6 penalties for 77 yards on the night.

The Comets fall to 2-3 on the season and will go on the road to face Riverside to open up National Central League play on October 16^th at 6 p.m.

Story by Mac Pham