In a game that was filled with penalties, turnovers and a lot of mistakes on both ends of the field, the Palomar College Comets improved their record to 2-1 on the football campaign as they defeated the Southwestern College Cougars by a 17-0 score Saturday, Sept. 17, at Escondido High School’s Wayne Embry Field.

Rancho Buena Vista High School’s Dorian Richardson’s 31 yards rushing scored on a 13-yarder in the first quarter with a point after touchdown by Rancho Bernardo alumnus Landon Ogles to go up 7-0.

There was no scoring until the third quarter after the Comets attempted to score another touchdown. Ogles connected on a 31-yard field goal to take a 10-0 lead.

In the fourth quarter, El Camino’s Kiah Reed’s 107 yards passing connected on a 16-yarder to Carlsbad’s Luke Armstrong (35 yards receiving) for the other touchdown.

Vista High School alumnus Dez Taua led the Comets in rushing with 40 yards.

“For three weeks in a row, our defense has played hard along with our special teams has contributed very well, but we are young in a lot of key positions,” Comets Head Coach Joe Early said. “Offensively, we’ve had to put points on the board as we’re struggling with the learning curves this year as these players stay to improve every week.

“I think we left a lot of points on the board tonight while our defense played well along with recovered turnovers on our special teams which it’s a work in progress for us offensively,” Early continued. “At the end of the half, we got an interception in the end zone while our defense played well tonight on the key plays.”

“On the offensive side of the ball, we have to match the defense for us to get better once when we practice to correct our starting Monday for us to prepare for the College of the Canyons.”

With the win, the Comets improved to 2-1 on the season and will host College of the Canyons on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Escondido High at 6 p.m.

David A. Willauer contributes sports reports to North County media outlets, including the North Coast Current and OsideNews.