Comets, Warriors meet to supplant Hornets
- Updated: October 26, 2018
Connor Curry turned this play into 18-yard TD run vs. Mt. SAC. (Hugh Cox Photo)
2018 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
SAN MARCOS (10-26-2018) — Palomar and El Camino College will share a common goal Saturday when they square off in a Southern California Football Association National (State Playoff-Eligible) Division Central Conference game at the Warriors’ Murdock Stadium.
Unless something unforeseen happens regarding two-time defending state and national champion Fullerton College’s probation, which among other penalties for unspecified violations makes the Hornets ineligible for post-season play, the winner in Saturday’s 6 p.m. game will replace Fullerton, a winner of 26 straight games, as the Central Conference’s automatic qualifier for the four-team Southern California playoffs by running the table in its final three regular-season games..
Palomar (4-3 overall) comes into the game ranked No. 16 in the JCAB State Coaches Association poll after an upset victory over then eighth-ranked Mt. SAC two weeks ago. El Camino comes in ranked No 10 in the state.
“It’s a big challenge for us,” Palomar coach Joe Early says. “They’re on a roll. They’ve won five straight games. They’re good. They’re athletic. They’re talented. “But they’re in the same situation we are. If either team runs the table, it will be the No. 1 seed out of the Central Conference in the playoffs.”
In their five-game winning streak, the Warriors (5-3 overall) have defeated Orange Coast 42-24 and Moorpark 23-13 in a pair of non-conference games, then have gone 3-0 to begin Central Conference play with wins over San Diego Mesa 51-44 and Mt. SAC last week 45-41 when Palomar had a bye.
Palomar has been led in recent games by quarterbacks Connor Curry and Shea Morales (Carlsbad High School), linebacker Chris Calhoun (Mission Hills High) and receiver Malachi Russell (El Camino High). Devin Nilson (Carlsbad High) has been a workhorse all season at receiver and punt returner.
PROBABLE PALOMAR LINE-UPS
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Connor Curry (6-2, 200, Fr., Evangel Christian HS, Shreveport, LA / Ouachita Baptist University)
Running Back
Shevell Sterling (5-10, 190, Fr., Grossmont HS)
Fullback
Arnold Yoder (6-1, 260, 260, So., Toledo HS, Toledo, WA / USMC)
Receivers
Logan Gamble (6-6, 200, Fr., St. Anthony HS, Long Beach / Cal)
Malachi Russell (6-0, 160, Fr., El Camino HS)
Mikel Barkley (5-11, 165, Fr., Temecula Great Oak HS)
Bryce Walker (6-0, 180, So., Bartram Trail HS, Jacksonville, FL)
Zack Morel (6-2, 193, So, Vista HS)
Slot Receivers
Devin Nilson (6-0, 187, So., Carlsbad HS)
Johnny Armentrout (5-10, 175, Fr., El Camino HS)
Johnny Arzola (6-0, 195, So., Oceanside HS, Dixie State)
Tight End
William Gonzalez (6-4, 230, Fr., Murrieta Valley HS)
Left Tackle
Donovan Pati (6-3, 260, Fr., Vista HS)
Left Guard
Francisco Rodriguez (6-4, 300, Fr., Sicks HS, Tampa, FL)
Center
Anthony Escalante (6-2, 240, Fr., Rancho Buena Vista HS)
Right Guard
Braydon Lindholm (6-6, 290, Fr., Moses Lake HS, Moses Lake, WA)
Right Tackle
Will Eoff (6-6, 290, Fr., Vista Murrieta HS)
DEFENSE
End
Mason Simeta (6-3, 240, Fr., Lacey HS, Timberline, WA)
End
Marin Bonaccu (6-1, 230, Fr., Oceanside HS)
Tackle
Koa Evalu-Robinson (6-3, 275, Fr., Lahainaluna HS, Maui, HI)
Tackle
Nick So’oto (6-2, 300, Fr., Parkway HS, Bossier, LA / Northeastern State)
Linebacker
Spencer Kaoanga (6-1, 220, Fr., Oceanside HS / Air Force Prep)
Linebacker
Chris Calhoun (6-1, 210, Fr. Mission Hills HS)
Cornerback
Jihad Hightower (5-9, 171, Fr., Creekside HS, St. Johns, FL)
Cornerback
Louie Flores (5-10, 180, Fr., Mission Hills HS)
Safety
Jay Craft (5-11, 180, Fr., Cherry Creek HS, Cherry Creek, CO / Kansas State University)
Safety
Giovanni Herrera (5-10, 1195, Fr., Mira Mesa HS)
Safety
Josh Bernard (5-11, 205, So., Oceanside HS)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kickoffs, PAT’s, FG’s)
Mark Meador (5-8, 147, Fr., Del Norte HS)
Punter
Jacob Stepanek (6-3, 205, Fr., Temescal Canyon HS, Lake Elsinore)
Holder
Jacob Stepanek
Long Snapper
Edwin Vorachack (5-10, 175, Fr., Escondido HS
Kickoff Returners
Lamar Raboteau (5-8, 165, Fr., Mira Mesa HS)
Damon Wigand (5-10, 180, Fr., Mission Hills HS)
Punt Returners
Devin Nilson
Johnny Arzola
