Comets Football End Season With Bowl Win; Donahue Defensive PoY

Mike Adams

December 5, 2014

November 22, 2014 | Palomar College Football team takes the field against Glendale Community college at Escondido High School in Escondido, Calif. The Comets beat the Vaqueros30-22 to win the Patriotic Bowl and finished the season 7-4 : Philip Farry | The Telescope

Palomar College football finished their season with a surprise 30-22 victory over Glendale College Vaqueros in the Patriotic Bowl on Nov. 22 at Escondido High School’s Wilson Stadium. Coming into the contest the Vaqueros had a 9-1 record and were thought to be favorites against the 6-6 Comets. But the hard-nosed play of the Comets and the excellent punting display by Palomar Sophomore punter Cody Wuthrich stifled the Vaquero offense and helped Palomar massively improve on last season’s 2-8 effort.

Glendale got out to an early lead in the opening minutes of the game with a running score by Robert Jones but the ensuing extra-point attempt was blocked and returned 98 yds to give the Comet’s an unforeseen 2 points. A 55 yd touchdown punt return by Palomar’s Damon Nolan with three minutes to play in the first quarter gave the Comets their first lead of the game. A 53 yd pass from Mitch Bartrum, who was given the start over Brett Hollingsworth, to Wayne Ganon in the second quarter extended the lead before the Vaqueros drew back just before halftime to put the score at 13-16 going into the second half.

Palomar struck first in the second half with some trickery when running back Justin Harris faked his run and dipped a 2 yd pass to Tiree Burton in the endzone. The Vaqueros replied with a field goal late in the third quarter to put the game at a one-score difference going into the fourth. Both teams traded a pair of short runs for scores in the fourth to give the Comets the victory. Palomar was able to overcome a large amount of penalties in the game thanks to the aforementioned Wuthrich whose 8 punts averaged 42.4 yds per and set the Vaqueros within their own 20 three times. The Sophomore from La Costa Canyon High School was recognized for his great display with Palomar’s player of the game honors.

For his amazing displays and skill over the course of the season Palomar’s defensive end Dylan Donoghue won the Southern Conference’s defensive player of the year award. A standout on his side of the ball, both for his performances and intense leadership, the Sophomore from Billings, Montana led the Comet’s with 64 tackles (22 TFL) and 10.5 sacks.

November 22, 2014 |Palomar Football team celebrates after winning the Patriotic bowl against Glendale College. The Comets defeated the Vaqueros 30-22 and finish the season7-4 . The game was held at Escondido HS, in Escondido California.| Photo Credit: Philip Farry | The Telescope

REST OF PALOMAR FOOTBALL CONFERENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS, courtesy of http://www.palomar.edu/athletics/

ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE COMETS

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

GUARD — Khris Alvarez (6-4, 305), Freshman, San Marcos HS)

RECEIVER — M.J. Bailey (6-1, 200), Sophomore, San Marcos HS

RUNNING BACK — Justin Harris (5-10, 180), Sophomore, Temecula Chaparral HS

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

END — Dylan Donahue (6-3, 245) Sophomore, Billings West (Montana) HS — Player of Year

LINEBACKER — Austin Wolff (6-1, 230), Sophomore, Fallbrook High School

CORNER — Bryan Jones (6-0, 180), Sophomore, Great Oak High School

RETURNER — Damon Nolan (5-7, 155), Sophomore, Murrieta Valley High School

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

(None)

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

TACKLE — Joe Naotala (6-2, 265), Sophomore, Army-Navy Academy

INSIDE LINEBACKER — Drew Madera (6-1, 215), Sophomore, Temecula Chaparral HS

SAFETY — Bryce Alexander (6-1, 175), Freshman, Brawley High School

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