SAN MARCOS – The Comets concluded their final game with smiles and a successful season-ending win. After a rough run, they ended on a high note, securing their first home win in the final game of the season.
This team faced countless hardships and disappointments, yet the players’ determination to improve and their passion for this beloved sport drove them to a satisfactory end.
“They are very resilient,” Head Coach Joe Early said. “They don’t quit.”
The Comets started off strong with a 63-yard touchdown pass from Jakob Harris (#10) to Furious Hoskins (#1) just 14 seconds into the game.
On the Comets’ next possession, Vincent Landry IV (#8) scored on an 18-yard reception, bumping their lead up to 14-0.
The first quarter ended with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Chris Baush (#21), putting the Comets well ahead with a score of 21-0.
At the start of the second quarter, the Eagles converted on a fake punt that set them up for their first score of the game. They quickly followed up with another touchdown to cut into Palomar’s lead, bringing the score to 21-14.
The Comets’ offense was a powerhouse in the first quarter, but was almost silenced in the second until Landry IV corralled a 48-yard touchdown pass from Harris, his second of the half. Lucas Valencia (#5) then proceeded to halt the Eagles’ newfound momentum with an interception right before halftime.
“That mental growth is what helped us keep together as a team and not turn against each other when times were tough,” Valencia said.
“The defense gave what the Quarterbacks look for — two high safeties, and the o-line, they held up and did their part. All I had to do was my part,” Landry IV stated.
Both teams came out in the third quarter with one thing on their minds — win. Haunted by penalties, the Eagles’ comeback hopes looked bleak until they scored a touchdown with 40 seconds remaining in the quarter to bring the score to 28-21.
With the teams’ scores separated by only one touchdown, it was anyone’s game as the final quarter commenced.
Harris threw a late interception in the endzone, only for Valencia to return the favor on the Eagles’ following possession. This set up the Comets for their last touchdown, a 19-yard trick-play run by Michael Perry-Mack (#6) that turned out to be the deciding factor in the game.
Eagles wide receiver Johnny Johnson (#88) scored the final touchdown of the night on a 22-yard pass with five minutes remaining, but the Comets ran out the clock to win by a final score of 35-28.
“They won their last two games, and they didn’t quit when a lot of teams would,” Coach Early said.
Quarterback Harris, in his Sophomore season at Palomar, not only takes the memory of the win, but the bonds the team made with one another into his future.
“The brotherhood that we had is something I will definitely remember for the rest of my life,” Harris said.