Comets overwhelmed by Tigers run game

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 27, 2026

2026 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No. 1 RIVERSIDE 60, PALOMAR 37

Noah Schuback throws for 292 yards and four touchdowns, but Tigers answer Palomar’s early lead with 342 rushing yards from three runners

By David A. Willauer
Contributing Writer

SAN MARCOS — Palomar discovered the offensive rhythm it had been seeking.

Unfortunately for the Comets, Riverside brought considerably more.

Quarterback Noah Schuback passed for 292 yards and four touchdowns, helping Palomar build an early 8-0 lead and score 37 points against California’s top-ranked team, but Riverside’s powerful offense eventually overwhelmed the Comets in a 60-37 National Southern League victory at Palomar College.

The loss dropped Palomar to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play. Riverside remained unbeaten.

The Comets produced a significant offensive improvement one week after being limited to 198 total yards in a 48-14 loss at San Diego Mesa. Schuback threw four touchdown passes to three receivers, while Bowen Cannon, an Escondido High graduate, added a rushing touchdown.

Palomar’s defense, however, could not contain Riverside’s balance.

Tigers quarterback Chris Cooper passed for 304 yards and two touchdowns, while Riverside’s three leading rushers combined for 342 yards and five scores.

“I think when it comes down to the crazy things that go on, we have simplified it a little bit,” Palomar head coach Thomas Kaumeyer said. “Riverside has a big offensive line. We can do some movements, but we need to improve on stopping the run and pass.”

COMETS STRIKE FIRST

Palomar entered the matchup attempting to recover from consecutive losses to Pasadena City and San Diego Mesa.

The Comets immediately demonstrated that their offense would be more productive against Riverside, taking an 8-0 lead during the first quarter.

Riverside soon answered through an offense that presented Palomar with problems at every level.

Cooper attacked through the air, finishing with 304 passing yards. On the ground, the Tigers repeatedly created space behind their large offensive line and turned that advantage into substantial production.

Jayden Gooden led Riverside with 171 rushing yards. Nich Gaoa added 90 yards and a touchdown, while Kurelle Thomas rushed for 81 yards and four scores.

Those three runners alone accounted for 342 yards.

Once Riverside established its ground game, Palomar’s defense could not commit additional defenders to the line without exposing its secondary to Cooper’s passing.

The combination allowed the Tigers to erase the early deficit and eventually build a lead the Comets could not overcome.

SCHUBACK THROWS FOUR TOUCHDOWNS

Although Riverside pulled away, Palomar continued producing through the air.

Schuback’s 292-yard, four-touchdown performance followed a difficult outing against Mesa, when he was held to 103 passing yards.

Against Riverside, Schuback spread the scoring production among several receivers.

Dominic Hawk led the Comets with 128 receiving yards and one touchdown. Princeton Anderson caught two touchdown passes among his 81 receiving yards, while Treyson Ikeomu contributed 24 yards and another score.

Kaumeyer credited the work Anderson and Palomar’s receivers have put into developing timing and route execution.

“Princeton Anderson is an outstanding receiver and has been running his patterns in practice, along with Phoenix Johnson from Carlsbad,” Kaumeyer said. “We have about four or five guys that we rotate.”

Palomar’s four touchdown receptions were distributed as follows:

Anderson — two
Hawk — one
Ikeomu — one

Cannon added 13 rushing yards and one touchdown.

The Comets’ 37 points represented their highest scoring total since opening the season with consecutive victories. It also demonstrated that Palomar can create explosive production against one of California’s strongest teams.

RIVERSIDE CONTROLS BOTH PHASES

Palomar’s offensive improvement could not compensate for Riverside’s ability to score through the air and on the ground.

Cooper’s two touchdown passes went to Camden Connor and Kai’Nalu Johnson.

Connor finished with 92 receiving yards and one score, while Johnson added 36 yards and a touchdown.

Thomas’ four rushing touchdowns gave Riverside a consistent finisher near the goal line. Gooden supplied the volume and explosive yardage, and Gaoa provided another productive option.

Palomar could not concentrate its defensive attention on one player or one phase.

Riverside scored 60 points despite Palomar receiving 292 passing yards and five offensive touchdowns of its own.

That disparity defined the game.

SECOND HALF SOMETHING TO BUILD ON

Kaumeyer said Palomar’s defensive backs improved after halftime, even with Riverside continuing to control the overall matchup.

“In the second half, our defensive backs played better,” Kaumeyer said. “As a staff, we have to keep the positives going.

“I told the kids after the game, ‘You didn’t give up and you played a strong game.’”

That resilience mattered after the Comets had been outscored 48-14 by Mesa one week earlier.

Palomar did not fold after Riverside overcame the early deficit. The Comets continued moving the football and reached 37 points against the state’s No. 1 team.

The outcome still exposed significant defensive concerns.

Over the last two games, Palomar has surrendered 108 points to Mesa and Riverside. Both opponents entered their meetings unbeaten and ranked among California’s best, but the National Southern League will continue presenting demanding offensive matchups.

The Comets must improve against both the run and pass if their offensive revival is going to translate into conference victories.

BRUTAL OPENING STRETCH

Few teams in California have opened conference play against a more difficult tandem than Palomar.

The Comets traveled to No. 4 San Diego Mesa and lost 48-14, then returned home to face top-ranked Riverside.

Those teams entered the weekend with a combined 8-0 record.

Palomar’s offense struggled against Mesa, managing only 198 yards. Against Riverside, the Comets responded with 37 points, 292 passing yards and four Schuback touchdown passes.

That improvement should provide encouragement.

The defensive results make the bye week particularly important.

Palomar has now lost three consecutive games after beginning the season 2-0. The Comets will have additional preparation time before returning against another San Diego County opponent.

GAME LEADERS

Palomar

Passing: Noah Schuback — 292 yards, four touchdowns
Rushing: Bowen Cannon — 13 yards, one touchdown
Receiving: Dominic Hawk — 128 yards, one touchdown
Receiving: Princeton Anderson — 81 yards, two touchdowns
Receiving: Treyson Ikeomu — 24 yards, one touchdown

Riverside

Passing: Chris Cooper — 304 yards, two touchdowns
Rushing: Jayden Gooden — 171 yards
Rushing: Nich Gaoa — 90 yards, one touchdown
Rushing: Kurelle Thomas — 81 yards, four touchdowns
Receiving: Camden Connor — 92 yards, one touchdown
Receiving: Kai’Nalu Johnson — 36 yards, one touchdown

UP NEXT

Palomar receives a bye next weekend before returning Thursday, Oct. 8, at Southwestern College.

The Comets will use the break to address a defense that has allowed 108 points over its first two conference games while attempting to preserve the offensive progress demonstrated against Riverside.

Southwestern will present another demanding county matchup.

The Jaguars entered this week unbeaten and strengthened their claim as San Diego County’s leading community college program by defeating San Diego Mesa in triple overtime.

Palomar will arrive in Chula Vista with a losing streak, but also with proof that Schuback and his receivers can produce against elite competition.

The next step is turning that production into a complete performance.

EastCountySports.com

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