Griffins ready to refocus against Palomar

By Bill Dickens
Updated: October 1, 2015

GROSSMONT COLLEGE DEFENSIVE BACK AIRRIC PARKER

2015 GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

By Bill Dickens

© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (10-02-15) — Grossmont College sophomore safety AIRRIC PARKER believes defense will be the key to the Griffins victory over Palomar Saturday night (Oct. 3) at Escondido High School. Kickoff is 6 p.m.

“We need to force them to pass,” Parker said, “because I don’t think they’ll be able to beat us if they have to go through the air.

“We need to be aggressive and bring it to them and not let them bring it to us,” added the Mission Bay standout, who is being recruited by Northern Arizona and USD, among others.

Parker emphasized that this is a major encounter since both teams lost their Southern Conference opener. The Comets (2-2, 0-1) were clubbed by Saddleback 30-13 and Grossmont (2-2, 0-1) fell to Golden West 17-7.

Obviously this is a key game to the season for both teams.

Grossmont sophomore MICHAEL CARRILLO (43-72, 412 yards, 3 TDs) will draw the starting card this weekend. The mobile signal caller has also rushed for 47 yards on 13 carries.

“Carrillo is back at full speed,” said Griffins coach MIKE JORDAN.

Running back THOMAS McDONALD, who has committed to the University of Utah, will lead the offensive charge for the Griffins. He’s averaging 7.5 yards on 43 carries.

SERGIO BAILEY is the Griffins leading receiver with 16 receptions for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Probably the most deadly receiver is tight end LEVI BOYD, who has been more of a stealth ball catcher with 10 grabs for 141 yards.

Not to be overlooked is versatile CHRISTIAN BROOKS, who has caught 13 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. He has also been successful on two halfback passes for 50 yards and a score.

Sophomore linebacker NICK GALATIS will anchor the defense. He has rung up 44 tackles, 3 sack and one interception for a touchdown.

San Jose State-bound bounceback linebacker RUEBEN LEASAU has made 16 tackles and one fumble recovery, while sophomore ball hawk DEVAUGHN MURRAY has recorded 24 tackles and an interception.

Injury riddled Palomar hopes to return some of its standouts to the lineup against Grossmont, but even those guys are doubtful.

Daviante Sayles paces the Comets’ running game with 203 yards on 83 carries and 3 touchdowns.

Palomar has rotated four players at quarterback so it’s anybody’s guess who will be calling the signals come Saturday.

Griffin Graffiti – Sophomore linebacker JORDAN ARNOLD out of West Hills received Honorable Mention recognition in this week’s SCFA balloting for defensive player of the week. . . The 6-foot-3, 235 pound Arnold recorded 5 tackles, 3 sacks and one pass breakup in the loss to Golden West. . . Grossmont plummeted in the state rankings to No. 26, while Palomar tumbled to No. 30 following a loss to Saddleback . . . The Comets lead the all-time series over the Griffins 18-11.