The Griffins are winless on the season at 0-4.
But they’re also dangerous.
“Overall records mean nothing right now,” Early says. “They look athletic and quick on film, and we can’t afford to make the mistakes that cost us winning last week.”
That was in a 45-38 shootout loss to Ventura, at the time the No. 3-ranked team in the JCAB State Coaches’ Association poll, which has moved up to No. 2 in the state this week, at the Ventura College Sportsplex.
The Comets roared back from a 21-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter to pull to within seven points of the Pirates, only to see only to see a fourth-down pass in the end zone on a play from the 11-yard line fall incomplete in the end zone with 13 seconds to play.
Palomar outgained Ventura in that game 599 yards in total offense to 527 yards and passed for 483 yards (427 yards and four touchdowns by quarterback Shea Morales, who shared the National Division Offensive Player of the Week award with teammate Malachi Russell, who caught 10 passes for 161 yards and two TDs).
But the Comets, who will take a 2-2 record into the Grossmont game, shot themselves in the foot due to untimely breakdowns and mistakes to keep them from posting the upset of the year among California community college teams.
PROBABLE PALOMAR LINE-UPS
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Shea Morales (6-4, 210, Fr., Carlsbad HS)
-or-
Conner Curry (6-2, 200, Fr., Evangel Christian HS, Shreveport, LA / Ouachita Baptist University)
Running Back
Shevell Sterling (5-10, 190, Fr., Grossmont HS)
Fullback
Arnold Yoder (6-1, 260, 260, So., Toledo HS, Toledo, WA / USMC)
Receivers
Logan Gamble (6-6, 200, Fr., St. Anthony HS, Long Beach / Cal)
Malachi Russell (6-0, 160, Fr., El Camino HS, Jacksonville, FL)
Mikel Barkley (5-11, 165, Fr., Temecula Great Oak HS)
Zack Morel (6-2, 193, So, Vista HS)
Slot Receivers
Devin Nilson (6-0, 187, So., Carlsbad HS)
Johnny Armentrout (5-10, 175, Fr., El Camino HS)
Johnny Arzola (6-0, 195, So., Oceanside HS, Dixie State)
Tight End
William Gonzalez (6-4, 230, Fr., Murrieta Valley HS)
Left Tackle
NQuinton Maxwell (6-3, 340, Fr., King HS, Detroit)
Left Guard
Francisco Rodriguez (6-4, 300, Fr., Sicks HS, Tampa, FL)
Center
Anthony Escalante (6-2, 240, Fr., Rancho Buena Vista HS)
Right Guard
Brayton Lindholm (6-6, 290, Fr., Moses Lake HS, Moses Lake, WA)
Right Tackle
Will Eoff (6-6, 290, Fr., Vista Murrieta HS)
DEFENSE
End
Mason Simeta (6-3, 240, Fr., Lacey HS, Timberline, WA)
End
Jordan Duson (6-1, 240, Fr., Oceanside HS)
Tackle
Koa Evalu-Robinson (6-3, 275, Fr., Lahainaluna HS, Maui, HI)
Tackle
Nick So’oto (6-2, 300, Fr., Parkway HS, Bossier, LA / Northeastern State)
Linebacker
Spencer Kaoanga (6-1, 220, Fr., Oceanside HS / Air Force Prep)
Linebacker
Chris Calhoun (6-1, 210, Fr. Mission Hills HS)
Cornerback
Jihad Hightower (5-9, 171, Fr., Creekside HS, St. Johns, FL)
Cornerback
Louie Flores (5-10, 180, Fr., Mission Hills HS)
Safety
Jay Craft (5-11, 180, Fr., Cherry Creek HS, Cherry Creek, CO / Kansas State University)
Safety
Giovanni Herrera (5-10, 185, Fr., Mira Mesa HS)
Safety
Josh Bernard (5-11, 205, So., Oceanside HS)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kickoffs, PAT’s, FG’s)
Mark Meador (5-8, 147, Fr., Del Norte HS)
Punter
Jacob Stepanek (6-3, 205, Fr., Temescal Canyon HS, Lake Elsinore)
Holder
Jacob Stepanek
Long Snappers
Ryan McCowan (5-8, 170, Fr., Valley Center HS)
Edwin Vorachack (5-10, 175, Fr., Escondido HS
Kickoff Returners
Lamar Raboteau (5-8, 165, Fr., Mira Mesa HS)
Damon Wigand (5-10, 180, Fr., Mission Hills HS)
Punt Returners
Devin Nilson
Johnny Arzola
