Jaguars host Comets; Griffs, Mesa in action

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 18, 2021

Southwestern in action last Saturday against Canyons. / CaliCamera

2021 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

CHULA VISTA – Two of the county’s four community college football teams will clash, or maybe just get in each other’s way, when the 30th-ranked Palomar Comets visit the 33rd-ranked Southwestern Jaguars at DeVore Stadium on Saturday at 6.

The two teams were outscored by their favored opponents last week by a combined 83-13.

Southwestern sophomore quarterback Stevie Orr, the team’s starter last week, hyperextended a knee in the 52-10 loss to College of the Canyons. He is a game-time decision to play, according to Jaguars head coach Ed Carberry.

Should Orr be ruled out, freshman Jimmy Inman, the Week 1 starter, would likely handle most of the duties, although the Jaguars also inserted freshman quarterback Brandon Smith during the second half against the Cougars.

Southwestern has passed for 335 yards in two games so far, which included a 10-7 win over Grossmont in the season opener.

Sophomore Christian Jourdain heads the Jags receiving corps with 11 catches for 137 yards. He had the deciding touchdown catch late in the win.

Look for SWC to get the ball into the hands of slot Terry Wright early in this one. The former St. Augustine man has 12 catches for 113 yards.

The Jaguars rushed for over 100 yards last week against Canyons after mustering just 38 yards on the ground against the Griffins.

Southwestern has six sacks so far this season.

The Comets were defeated by now-13th-ranked Golden West, 31-3, last Friday. Palomar is averaging just over 225 yards per game thus far.

The Palomar defense has six takeaways this season and scored on a pair of interception returns for touchdowns in a Week 1 victory, 31-3, over Victor Valley.

The Comets’ quarterback is former Rancho Bernardo slinger Zeke Payne, who passed for two touchdowns in the opener.

GROSSMONT (0-1) at CITRUS (2-0), 6 (Live stream click here) – The Griffins had to scrap their contest last week against Orange Coast.

The good news is the game will be made up on Nov. 9.

This week, the Griffins are likely going to be able to make a strong case against a possible favorite in the host Owls.

That’s also pretty good news.

Despite the Griffins’ close defeat in the opener to Southwestern, the team appears much improved, especially on defense.

The Griffs had five sacks and forced four turnovers.

Citrus moved up to the No. 18 spot this week in one poll, while the Owls were listed 24th in the coaches’ poll.

Citrus racked up big numbers last week, winning a College of the Desert, 62-32, after defeating Chaffey in the opener, 21-16.

The Owls are averaging 465 yards in their two outings.

The Griffins can produce with veteran quarterback Brady Abt and his top target Payton Monson, who caught eight passes, including a touchdown in the opener against the Jags.

Grossmont’s defense – led in the opener by Rock Gonzalez and Colton Guererro – could be tested more than it was against the Jags, but the team will have to cut down on the 20 penalties it suffered, resulting in 153 yards of distance.

No. 16 EAST L.A. (2-0) at No. 23 SAN DIEGO MESA (1-1), 6 (Live stream click here)- A great matchup at Douglas Stadium when the Huskies visit the Olympians in a battle of top 25 clubs.

East L.A. College won its first two games by a combined score of 112-15.

The Huskies put up an average of more than 425 yards in the two wins.

Freshman Jonathan Perkins leads East L.A. with three sacks.

Mesa fell last week after winning its opener.

The Olympians’ Gunnar Gray (University City) has thrown for 320 yards in the two games.

Receiver Antwone Sullivan has 10 receptions and three touchdowns in the starts for the Olympians.

Former Helix Highlander Blaze Zito has two fumble recoveries, a touchdown, and a sack for Mesa so far.

This one is sure to be close, a one-score game is probably more like a one-point game.