Comets’ defense meets three-phased test

2026 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No. 15 Palomar faces Pasadena team that scored on offense, defense, special teams during a 54-point outburst

No. 22 PASADENA CITY (1-1) at No. 15 PALOMAR (2-0)
Palomar College Stadium | San Marcos
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 6 p.m.

By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com

SAN MARCOS — Palomar’s rise under first-year head coach Thom Kaumeyer has been built upon a defense capable of changing games without assistance from the offense.

Pasadena City arrives Saturday prepared to test every part of it.

The No. 15 Comets host the No. 22 Lancers in a matchup of state-ranked teams after Pasadena scored through its offense, defense and special teams during a 54-21 victory over Santa Barbara City.

Palomar improved to 2-0 by defeating East Los Angeles, 26-7, one week after opening the Kaumeyer era with a 19-6 road upset of then-No. 6 Ventura.

The Comets have allowed only 13 points, recorded nine sacks and intercepted three passes through two games. Their defense has also scored twice, stopped opponents in the red zone and consistently created favorable field position.

Pasadena may provide the most complete challenge yet.

The Lancers produced more than 230 rushing yards and 219 passing yards against Santa Barbara. They also returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, recovered a fumble on another kickoff and received two field goals from their special teams.

Palomar will have to defend more than Pasadena’s conventional offense.

PASADENA SCORES FROM EVERYWHERE

Pasadena opened its season with a competitive loss to No. 3 Saddleback before responding with 54 points in its home opener.

The Lancers built a 41-7 halftime advantage over Santa Barbara and produced touchdowns through several different players.

Quarterback Xavier Buckles supplied the most unusual score.

Facing third down and needing a short gain, Buckles followed the intended quarterback push through the middle, found open space and broke outside for a 53-yard touchdown run.

He later connected with Tristen Fitzpatrick for a 22-yard touchdown immediately after Pasadena recovered a fumble on a kickoff. Backup quarterback Devin Wilson also found Fitzpatrick for another score near the back-right pylon.

Fitzpatrick enters the week tied among the SCFA leaders with three touchdown receptions.

Buckles added a 53-yard touchdown pass to Desi Valdes, who had already returned a kickoff 97 yards for a score. Dom Ezeonye and Tyrell Butcher contributed rushing touchdowns.

The production demonstrated the depth of Pasadena’s attack.

Palomar cannot devote all of its attention to one quarterback, receiver or running back. The Comets also cannot relax after producing a defensive stop because Valdes and the Lancers’ return units can immediately reverse field position.

Pasadena head coach Robert Tucker described the victory as complementary football in all three phases.

That description also defines what Palomar has accomplished through two weeks.

CLASS LEADS A DISRUPTIVE FRONT

Jonathan Class delivered one of California’s most disruptive defensive performances against East Los Angeles.

The sophomore recorded nine tackles, 5½ tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

His 14-yard strip-sack produced an immediate touchdown when Tanner Doyle recovered the ball and returned it 9 yards. Less than two minutes later, Palomar’s pressure forced intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety.

The Comets finished with six sacks for 68 yards and 14 tackles for loss totaling 90 yards.

Palomar’s defensive front does not depend exclusively upon Class.

Nash Cooper enters the week tied with Class among the SCFA leaders at 2½ sacks. Hezekiah Wells, Barack Muhindo, Andrew Livingston and Zaire Bush also have contributed to a rotation that keeps pressure coming from several positions.

That depth becomes important against Buckles.

The Pasadena quarterback can escape pressure and turn a short-yardage play into an explosive run. Palomar’s rushers must maintain their lanes instead of allowing their aggressiveness to create openings around the edge.

The Comets limited East Los Angeles to 54 net rushing yards and 1.7 yards per carry. Pasadena presents a substantially stronger rushing test after controlling Santa Barbara on the ground.

GUTIERREZ MAKES TAKEAWAYS A HABIT

While Class and Palomar’s defensive front have generated most of the attention, Matthew Gutierrez has quietly intercepted a pass in each of the Comets’ first two games.

Gutierrez recorded an interception during the victory at Ventura and added another against East Los Angeles, returning the second takeaway 17 yards.

He also finished with six tackles and shared a tackle for loss last week.

Palomar forced two interceptions against Ventura before adding a fumble recovery, an interception and a safety against East L.A. The Comets have consistently turned pressure into takeaways or negative plays.

Pasadena committed two turnovers against Santa Barbara despite controlling the game. The Lancers’ quarterbacks also will be operating against a secondary significantly stronger than the one they encountered last week.

Kamaka Lorenzo and Doyle recorded seven tackles apiece against East L.A., while Gutierrez contributed six.

The secondary’s ability to prevent Fitzpatrick and Valdes from creating explosive plays could determine whether Pasadena can keep pace with Palomar.

SCHUBACK DIRECTS BALANCED ATTACK

Palomar’s offense did not need to carry the team last week, but it established control immediately.

Quarterback Noah Schuback directed touchdown drives of 78 and 69 yards on the Comets’ first two possessions. He completed the opening march with a 1-yard quarterback run before Maurice Howard scored from 17 yards on the second.

Palomar led 14-0 before the end of the first quarter.

Schuback finished 14 of 27 for 192 yards without an interception. He added 51 rushing yards and helped the Comets finish with 365 total yards.

Howard gained 55 yards on only six carries, while Bowyn Cannon added 39 and Brady Powell contributed 31. Palomar collectively rushed for 173 yards and averaged 6.2 per attempt.

That balance may become the Comets’ best method of controlling Pasadena’s explosive potential.

Long possessions would keep Buckles, Fitzpatrick and Valdes on the sideline while reducing the number of special-teams exchanges.

Spencer Hoang led Palomar’s receivers with three catches for 55 yards last week. Phoenix Johnson added two receptions for 45 yards, and Princeton Anderson caught four passes for 40.

Schuback has distributed the football without becoming dependent upon one receiver. He has also avoided an interception through two games.

SECOND-HALF OFFENSE NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Palomar scored all 26 points against East Los Angeles before halftime.

The defense protected the advantage, but the offense lost two fumbles and failed to score during the final two quarters. That allowed East L.A. to possess the ball for more than 32 minutes and run several lengthy drives.

The Huskies could not capitalize. Pasadena is more capable of doing so.

The Lancers scored 29 points during the second quarter against Santa Barbara and have demonstrated the ability to strike quickly after turnovers or special-teams plays.

Palomar cannot assume that another strong first half will be sufficient.

The Comets may need four quarters of offensive production for the first time this season.

MESA CAN WAIT

The schedule adds another potential complication.

Palomar travels to face No. 10 San Diego Mesa on Sept. 19 in an early National Division matchup between unbeaten county rivals. Mesa’s rise—and its last-play victory over Mt. San Antonio—will make that game difficult to ignore.

Pasadena ensures the Comets cannot afford to look ahead.

The Lancers are ranked No. 22 in the coaches poll, scored 54 points last week and were identified by JCGridiron as one of the week’s prominent matchups.

Before Palomar can turn its attention toward Mesa, the Comets must defeat a Pasadena team capable of scoring in every phase.

MATCHUP SNAPSHOT

Pasadena is listed immediately outside the Dirty 30 at No. 34.

FEATURE MATCHUP

PASADENA’S BALANCE vs. PALOMAR’S FRONT

Pasadena against Santa Barbara:

• More than 230 rushing yards
• 219 passing yards
• Touchdowns by multiple quarterbacks and running backs
• 97-yard kickoff-return touchdown
• Kickoff fumble recovery
• Two made field goals

Palomar against East Los Angeles:

• Six sacks
• 14 tackles for loss
• 54 rushing yards allowed
• Fumble-return touchdown
• Interception
• Safety
• Seven points allowed

PLAYERS TO WATCH

PALOMAR

• Jonathan Class: Recorded nine tackles, 5½ tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and five quarterback hurries last week.
• Noah Schuback: Has directed Palomar to a 2-0 start without throwing an interception.
• Matthew Gutierrez: Intercepted a pass in each of Palomar’s first two games.
• Nash Cooper: Enters the week tied among the SCFA sack leaders.
• Maurice Howard: Averaged 9.2 yards per carry and scored against East Los Angeles.
• Tanner Doyle: Recorded seven tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown last week.

PASADENA CITY

• Xavier Buckles: Produced two passing touchdowns and a 53-yard scoring run against Santa Barbara.
• Tristen Fitzpatrick: Caught two touchdowns last week and has three through two games.
• Desi Valdes: Scored on a 97-yard kickoff return and a 53-yard reception.
• Dom Ezeonye: Led Pasadena’s ground attack and scored in the victory.
• Zach Hutchinson: Converted two field goals during the Lancers’ 54-point performance.

PREDICTION

Pasadena’s 54-point performance demands attention, but Palomar represents a major increase in defensive difficulty.

The Comets can pressure the quarterback without sacrificing their coverage, have allowed only 13 points and have produced takeaways in critical situations. Their balanced rushing attack should also prevent Pasadena from turning the game into a succession of quick possessions.

Palomar must account for Buckles’ mobility and avoid surrendering a game-changing return to Valdes. The Comets also need more second-half production from an offense that went scoreless after halftime last week.

Pasadena should become the first opponent to push Palomar into the fourth quarter, but the Comets’ defense and home-field advantage give them the stronger finish.

PALOMAR 27, PASADENA CITY 17

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