Blocker, defense keep Jaguars unbeaten

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 9, 2026

Southwestern sophomore RB Caleb Blocker, of Katy, Texas

2026 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SOUTHWESTERN 24, PALOMAR 10

By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com

CHULA VISTA — Southwestern College kept its unbeaten season moving Thursday night behind Caleb Blocker’s two touchdown runs and a defense that never allowed Palomar’s offense into the end zone.

Blocker, a sophomore from Tompkins High in Katy, Texas, gave Southwestern both its early advantage and its second-half breathing room. The 205-pound running back scored from 14 yards out to put the Jaguars ahead, then broke a 42-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to restore their two-score lead.

Dominic Duran connected with Titus White for a long touchdown as the Jaguars defeated the visiting Comets, 24-10, at DeVore Stadium.

Southwestern improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the National Southern League, matching its unbeaten start through six games last season. Palomar fell to 2-4 and 0-3, suffering its fourth consecutive loss.

The Jaguars entered the game ranked No. 3 in California in the Sept. 29 coaches poll. Their next assignment is a road meeting with Riverside, the top-ranked team in that poll.

Southwestern’s defense supplied the foundation Thursday, allowing only an opening-drive field goal to Palomar’s offense.

The Comets’ lone touchdown came when Nico Weiss returned a fumble following a mishandled Southwestern field-goal attempt, keeping Palomar within 17-10 at halftime.

The Jaguars then shut out the Comets throughout the second half.

Blocker provided the separation in the third quarter.

With Southwestern protecting a seven-point lead, the Jaguars took possession at their own 44. Duran connected with Jeremiah Colbert for a 13-yard gain to the Palomar 42, setting up Blocker’s scoring run on the next play.

Blocker broke into the secondary and raced up the sideline for his second touchdown. The extra point restored a 14-point advantage, and Southwestern’s defense protected it the rest of the way.

Carson Curtis recorded two fourth-quarter sacks of Palomar quarterback Noah Schuback, helping prevent a late comeback. The Jaguars forced an incomplete pass on fourth down in the closing seconds before taking a knee to finish the victory.

Palomar opened the scoring with a 36-yard field goal by Carson Beard.

Southwestern answered on its first possession. Duran found Michael Moore for a 51-yard gain on the Jaguars’ first play from scrimmage, helping set up Daniel Meadows’ tying field goal.

Blocker’s 14-yard touchdown run put Southwestern ahead, 10-3. Duran then found White for a catch-and-run touchdown covering more than 80 yards, extending the margin to 17-3.

Palomar’s special teams supplied the response.

On Southwestern’s ensuing 51-yard field-goal attempt, holder Max Brodbeck could not handle the ball cleanly. Kamaka Lorenzo applied pressure, and Weiss scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown.

The extra point cut Southwestern’s lead to seven.

The Jaguars later drove deep into Palomar territory but missed a short field goal, leaving the score 17-10 at intermission.

Palomar’s defense continued to keep the game competitive after halftime, but its offense could not turn those stops into points.

Southwestern also stopped a disrupted Palomar field-goal play in the third quarter, with Exodus Ayers closing on the play before the Comets could get a kick away.

After Blocker’s second touchdown, the Jaguars continued to deny Palomar a sustained scoring threat. According to the broadcast, the Comets did not convert their first third down until their final possession.

Curtis supplied pressure up front, while Max Gonzales helped limit gains after catches in the closing minutes.

The victory followed Southwestern’s triple-overtime win over San Diego Mesa and kept the Jaguars unbeaten heading into a demanding stretch of league play.

Southwestern visits Riverside next, then travels to El Camino before returning home to face Saddleback on Oct. 31.