Comets battle hard, but fall 17-16 in historic home debut

SAN MARCOS, CA (9/7/2024) -- The Palomar College Comets came up just short in a thrilling contest against Moorpark College, falling 17-16 in their first-ever game played on campus. The hard-fought battle showcased the heart and determination of the Comets, despite the narrow loss.

Palomar's defense set the tone early, limiting Moorpark to just 148 total yards. Jaiden Letua led the defense with nine tackles, a pass breakup, and 0.5 tackles for loss. The defensive front kept constant pressure on the Raiders, registering seven tackles for loss for 31 yards, highlighted by Kavyion Hicks' nine-yard sack and two quarterback hurries.

On offense, KJ Chatham made his debut as the Comets' starting quarterback, completing 12 of 21 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. Running back Chris Bausch was the standout on the ground, rushing for 63 yards on 10 carries, while Rhiggs Relatores added 29 yards on seven carries. Wide receiver Trenice Woods was the top target, grabbing four receptions for 47 yards. Quincy Herron contributed three receptions for 15 yards, including the Comets' lone touchdown catch early in the second quarter.

However, Palomar was plagued by ball security issues, losing four fumbles throughout the game, which hindered their ability to maintain momentum and close out the win. These turnovers proved costly in the end as Moorpark took advantage of the extra possessions.

Palomar's defense made several key plays, including a critical interception by defensive back Tucker Murphy, which helped keep Moorpark's offense in check for most of the game. Steven Arteaga was also instrumental with seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, helping Palomar stay ahead for much of the contest.

The Comets took a 16-3 lead into the fourth quarter, powered by a steady kicking performance from Jonathon Jack, who nailed three field goals (47, 32, and 21 yards) to extend the lead. However, Moorpark mounted a late comeback, scoring two touchdowns in the final six minutes to edge out the Comets.

The game was defined by moments of brilliance for Palomar, including a 6-yard touchdown pass from Chatham to Herron and several key defensive stops, but in the end, the Raiders managed to snatch the victory in the final minutes.

Despite the loss, the Comets showed immense potential and heart in their inaugural game on campus, with the defense shining and the offense finding moments of rhythm. Palomar will look to bounce back as they prepare for their next game and build on the positive moments from this historic matchup. They will travel to El Camino College on Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff.