Comets, Warriors meet to supplant Hornets

2018 COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

 

EastCountySports.com staff report

 

 

SAN MARCOS (10-26-2018) — Palomar and El Camino College will share a common goal Saturday when they square off in a Southern California Football Association National (State Playoff-Eligible) Division Central Conference game at the Warriors’ Murdock Stadium.

Unless something unforeseen happens regarding two-time defending state and national champion Fullerton College’s probation, which among other penalties for unspecified violations makes the Hornets ineligible for post-season play, the winner in Saturday’s 6 p.m. game will replace Fullerton, a winner of 26 straight games, as the Central Conference’s automatic qualifier for the four-team Southern California playoffs by running the table in its final three regular-season games..

Palomar (4-3 overall) comes into the game ranked No. 16 in the JCAB State Coaches Association poll after an upset victory over then eighth-ranked Mt. SAC two weeks ago. El Camino comes in ranked No 10 in the state.

“It’s a big challenge for us,” Palomar coach Joe Early says. “They’re on a roll. They’ve won five straight games. They’re good. They’re athletic. They’re talented. “But they’re in the same situation we are. If either team runs the table, it will be the No. 1 seed out of the Central Conference in the playoffs.”

In their five-game winning streak, the Warriors (5-3 overall) have defeated Orange Coast 42-24 and Moorpark 23-13 in a pair of non-conference games, then have gone 3-0 to begin Central Conference play with wins over San Diego Mesa 51-44 and Mt. SAC last week 45-41 when Palomar had a bye.

Palomar has been led in recent games by quarterbacks Connor Curry and Shea Morales (Carlsbad High School), linebacker Chris Calhoun (Mission Hills High) and receiver Malachi Russell (El Camino High). Devin Nilson (Carlsbad High) has been a workhorse all season at receiver and punt returner.

 

PROBABLE PALOMAR LINE-UPS

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Connor 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)

Mikel Barkley (5-11, 165, Fr., Temecula Great Oak HS)

Bryce Walker (6-0, 180, So., Bartram Trail HS, Jacksonville, FL)

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 

Donovan Pati (6-3, 260, Fr., Vista HS)

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

Braydon 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

Marin Bonaccu (6-1, 230, 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, 1195, 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 Snapper

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

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