Football set to kickoff against Victor Valley
SAN MARCOS, CA (9/1/2021) -- After a long year and a half, Palomar College football is set to return on Saturday. The Comets will open their season at home against Victor Valley College.
On the offensive side of the ball, Palomar returns wide receivers, Dennis Garrison (Ewing) and Rinor Koxha (Escondido) from the 2019 season. Freshman Brandon Johnson and Tajae Brooks are sure to round out the receiving core. The offensive line returns Dylan Rohlmeier (Vista Murrieta), Charlie Evans (Pacific Pines State) and Nick Olenoski (Mt. Carmel). The offensive line has grown in the off season, both physically and mentally. The returners will help guide this young offensive and be the glue needed to keep them together. The line has the size and potential power to be a dominant force up front. With quarterback Rodney Thompson moving on following the 2019 season, the Comets will welcome a new quarterback this season. Zeke Payne (Rancho Bernardo), Daniel McMahon (Oceanside) and Clay Omohundro (Bishop Union) are all up for the job. Tawee Walker (Centennial) and Luke Armstrong (Carlsbad) bring strength and speed to the running back core this season.
The defensive line returns Lance DeSorbo (Escondido), Sid Weddington (Valley Center) and Emmit Vaiese (Saint Louis School). DeSorbo had four tackles against El Camino in the 2019 season. Weddington played in all 10 games for the Comets and recorded nine tackles, 17 assisted tackles, two sacks and five tackles-for-loss. Vaiese played in eight games and recorded seven tackles, four assisted tackles, two sacks, two tackles-for-loss and one fumble recovery. These three returners will provide the power and explosiveness needed for a strong defensive line and will be a force to be reckoned with. Linebacker Vavega Sialoi (Vista) is back and ready to make more noise this season. In the 2019 season, he had 28 tackles, 15 assisted tackles, two sacks, 10 tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
The Comets remain in the Mission Conference of the Southern California Football Association. Other members in the conference are: Riverside City College (2019 CCCAA State Champions), Chaffey College, El Camino College, Cerritos College and Mt. San Antonio College. Palomar is slated to begin conference play following the Oct. 9 bye week.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Palomar will be selling tickets online only this season. Tickets are available now here. Fans may buy tickets to all home games this season at any time. Please be sure to check the Transaction Fee box at the bottom of the page before proceeding to checkout.
Get ready for an exciting season! This team has waited a long time for this moment. Palomar kicks off their season at 6 p.m. at Escondido High School on Saturday, Sept. 4.