Comets confront state No. 1 Tigers

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 24, 2026

2026 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Palomar returns home after Mesa loss only to face unbeaten Riverside and dual-threat quarterback Christopher Cooper

ECS staff report

SAN MARCOS — Palomar will not receive much time to recover from its first National Southern League loss.

One week after falling 48-14 at unbeaten San Diego Mesa, the Comets return home Saturday to face state No. 1 Riverside City College at 6 p.m.

Riverside is 4-0 and ranked No. 5 nationally by the JCGridiron Dirty 30. Palomar is 2-2 after consecutive losses to Pasadena City and Mesa.

It is difficult to imagine a more punishing two-game introduction to league play.

Mesa entered last week ranked fourth in California and overwhelmed Palomar with 501 yards of offense. Riverside arrives after defeating then-No. 2 Saddleback 38-21 on the road.

The Tigers built a 31-14 halftime lead, intercepted two passes, recorded four sacks and blocked a field goal against one of the state’s strongest teams.

Palomar is not expected to win Saturday. The meaningful question is whether the Comets can respond competitively after falling behind Mesa 26-0 at halftime and finishing with only 198 total yards.

COOPER PRESENTS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS

Riverside quarterback Christopher Cooper controls the game as both a passer and runner.

Cooper completed 15 of 31 passes for 250 yards against Saddleback and led the Tigers with 48 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

His rushing scores covered 4, 4 and 15 yards.

Cooper also created Riverside’s most explosive offensive play, connecting with Jewellz Parm for 78 yards to set up his second touchdown.

The Tigers distributed the rest of Cooper’s completions among Camden Connor, Logan Quates, Jayden Bowens and several other receivers.

Palomar cannot focus entirely upon Cooper’s arm. Riverside repeatedly used his mobility near the goal line and on designed runs, forcing Saddleback to account for an additional ball carrier.

The Comets allowed Mesa to rush for 178 yards last week while quarterback Diesel Taylor passed for 276 and accounted for three touchdowns.

Cooper offers a similar two-way challenge.

CLASS, COOPER READY TO GIVE TIGERS GRIEF

Palomar’s most credible counter resides along its defensive front.

Jonathan Class and Nash Cooper share the National Southern League lead with 4½ sacks apiece. Each recorded two sacks against Mesa, giving the Comets four against a quarterback who had rarely been disrupted during the opening month.

That pressure did not keep Mesa from scoring 48 points, but it supplied evidence that Palomar can win individual matchups against high-level competition.

Riverside permitted Saddleback to record three sacks last week.

If Class and Cooper can pressure Christopher Cooper without requiring heavy blitzes, Palomar can preserve additional defenders for Riverside’s receivers and quarterback runs.

The Comets will also need another takeaway from their secondary.

Andrew Livingston supplied Palomar’s biggest play at Mesa, intercepting a fourth-quarter pass and returning it 40 yards for a touchdown. The score followed Aaron Knapp’s 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Those plays gave Palomar two late touchdowns but did not alter a game Mesa had already controlled.

Against Riverside, the Comets must create those moments early.

OFFENSE NEEDS A RESET

Palomar quarterback Noah Schuback entered the Mesa game following his best passing performance of the season.

He threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns against Pasadena City, spreading the football to nine receivers.

Mesa limited him to 103 yards on 11-of-25 passing, intercepted one throw and forced the fumble that became a defensive touchdown.

Palomar managed only 68 rushing yards and converted 3 of 14 third downs.

Receiver Dominic Hawk remained one of the few consistent bright spots, catching six passes for 81 yards. He has produced 162 receiving yards across Palomar’s last two games.

Riverside’s defense may be even less forgiving.

The Tigers intercepted Saddleback twice, returning those turnovers for 88 yards. Aloalii Lealofi produced a 45-yard pick-six, while Markus Jones’ 43-yard return set up Riverside’s final touchdown.

The Tigers also recorded four sacks and held Saddleback to 5-of-16 efficiency on third down.

Palomar cannot survive another game filled with negative plays, short possessions and turnovers.

BRUTAL LEAGUE BEGINNING

Palomar remains No. 23 in the state despite its 2-2 record, which reflects the strength of its schedule and its competitive 26-17 loss to No. 16 Pasadena.

The Comets’ problem is that the schedule has continued growing more difficult.

They have faced ranked opponents in three consecutive weeks. Their first two National Southern League assignments are against Mesa and Riverside, two of California’s four highest-ranked teams.

That makes Saturday less about external expectations than internal response.

Palomar continued competing after falling behind Mesa, producing an offensive touchdown, a defensive touchdown and four sacks during the second half.

Those developments gave the Comets something to carry forward. They did not provide evidence that Palomar was close to winning.

Riverside will expose every mistake more forcefully.

For Palomar to remain competitive, Class and Nash Cooper must disrupt the Tigers’ backfield, Schuback must protect the football and the Comets must prevent Riverside from producing another fast start.

Saddleback was ranked second in the state and still trailed Riverside 17-0 early in the second quarter and 31-7 before halftime.

Palomar cannot expect to recover from the same beginning.

THE PICK

Palomar possesses an excellent pair of pass rushers and returns home with an opportunity to respond.

Riverside possesses advantages nearly everywhere else.

The Tigers can create points on offense, defense and special teams. Christopher Cooper’s mobility places additional stress on a Palomar defense that just faced 89 plays against Mesa, and Riverside’s defensive front should make it difficult for the Comets to establish the running game Schuback needs.

Palomar should produce a few competitive stretches and may create another defensive score or short field.

Over four quarters, Riverside has too much.

RIVERSIDE 49, PALOMAR 14

GAME CAPSULE

No. 1 RIVERSIDE (4-0, 1-0) at No. 23 PALOMAR (2-2, 0-1)

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m.
Where: Palomar College, San Marcos
National ranking: Riverside No. 5, JCGridiron Dirty 30
Palomar players to watch: Jonathan Class and Nash Cooper, 4½ sacks apiece
Riverside player to watch: Christopher Cooper, 250 passing yards and three rushing touchdowns last week
Key matchup: Palomar’s pass rush against Riverside’s protection and quarterback run game