Comets win opener on 74-yard TD pass

MOORPARK (9-01-2018) / (REVISED 9-03-2018) — In a season opener when visiting Palomar jumped out to an early lead only to have upset-minded Moorpark battle back to go on top by three points on a fourth-quarter field goal, Rodney Thompson saved the Comets’ bacon on Saturday evening.

Palomar’s JONATHON SEGI makes a tackle against Moorpark on Saturday. / photo by Hugh Cox

The red-shirt freshman from St. Augustine High School threw a 72-yard touchdown bomb to Bryce Walker streaking down the right sideline in front of the Raiders’ bench in the fourth quarter at Griffin Stadium. Jacob Vose tacked on the extra point, giving the Comets a 20-16 victory.

It was a particularly satisfying victory for the Comets, who dominated the Raiders much of the evening only to have youthful mistakes give Moorpark an opportunity to get back in the game after Palomar led 13-0 in the first quarter.

“We’re just so young (only 10 returnees from last year’s team),” Palomar coach Joe Early said. “It was probably inevitable we were going to make youthful mistakes. But better 1-0 than 0-1.”

Freshman Lamar Raboteau from Mira Mesa High School returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown but a holding call behind the return nullified the play. But the Comets quickly came right back to go in front 7-0 on Connor Curry’s 54-yard TD pass to Mikel Barkley and Mark Meader’s extra point.

Palomar stretched its lead to 13-0 later in the quarter when Thompson passed to 6-foot-6 Cal-Berkley transfer Logan Gamble for a 17-yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone.

“We started really fast, right from the opening kickoff that was called back. But had a lot of flags, which is somewhat of a concern, but nothing we can’t work on,” Early said.

With Palomar continuing to make mistakes, Moorpark came back to tie the game, then went in front 16-13 on its third field goal of the night.

That’s when Thompson, who had been alternating series with Curry, took matters into his own hands with the 72-yard scoring strike to Walker.

Palomar running back SHEVELL STERLING (5) rushes against Moorpark on Saturday night. / photo by Hugh Cox

Palomar held with two minutes to play on a late drive by Moorpark in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t move the ball and was forced to punt. Jacob Stepanek pinned the Raiders deep in their own territory with a 48-yard punt. And, as time ran down, Oceanside High product Josh Bernard, Palomar’s leading rushing two years ago who sat out last season, intercepted a desperation Moorpark pass on the next-to-last play of the game.

Thompson then took a knee as time expired to end the game.

On the night, Thompson and Curry were a combined 22-for-39 passing for 299 yards. Thompson was 15-for-27 for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while Curry was 7-for-12 for 99 yards and one TD. Thompson added 47 yards rushing on 14 carries with a long gain of 23 yards.

Running back Shevell Sterling led 11 Palomar receivers that caught passes with four receptions. Walker, Devin Nilson, Gamble, DeVion Sneed, Johnny Arzola and tight end William Gonzalez also had multiple receptions.

“We made our share of mistakes,” Early said. “But if you ask me, the future’s bright.”

The Comets will host Southwestern in their second game of the season this upcoming Saturday night at Escondido High School’s Chick Embrey Field at Wilson Stadium.