No. 13 Comets bounce back against Panthers

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA (10/22/2022) -- Bouncing back from a loss, No. 13 Palomar College faced Chaffey College in their second conference game and won 24-6 on the road.

The Comets had a slow start and found themselves down 6-0 halfway through the first quarter. The Comets scored their first touchdown in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by Dorian Richardson to go up 7-0 after a Landon Ogles PAT. Right before the half, Ogles found himself kicking his third 50+ yard field goal this season, this time a 54-yarder that put the Comets up 10-6. Right after halftime, wide receiver Tajae Brooks came to life and caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kiah Reid. The Comets' final touchdown was a 25-yard pass from Reid to receiver Tayjon Bullock. 

Reid started the game 1-5 and finished 18-26 with 236 yards, his best game of the season thus far. He tacked on 23 rushing yards on four carries. Dorian Lewis led the running backs with 61 yards on seven carries, while Luke Armstrong totaled 54 yards on 13 carries. Brooks led the receivers with 146 yards on eight receptions. Joe Ayala finished with 50 yards on six catches.

The Palomar defense recorded another interception, this time by Marquis Bell, his second of the season, to extend the streak to eight games. Chase Beardsley led the Comet defense with five tackles and one tackle for loss for 24 yards. As a team, they finished with four sacks for nine yards and nine tackles for loss for 46 yards. 

Palomar moves to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. They will host Cerritos College on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Escondido High School.