Issue Date: 8/25/08
Running Start
Palomar football didn't slack over the summer and the players say they're ready for the season.
By Jarred Powell
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The Comets enter the year ranked No. 17 by JCgridiron.com and after last season's 7-3 record, the Comets kicked off their first practice on Aug.15 with high hopes and 124 players trying out for the team.
"We hope to get that number down to our regular roster by the first week of class" said head football coach Joe Early.
On offense, there is a three-way battle for starting quarterback between redshirt freshmen Steven Carroll, Fresno State transfer Matt Christian and returnee Joey Erickson. Erickson saw significant action when last year's starter Hunter Wanket went down with an injury.
After redshirting last season, Steven Carroll is the early leader for the job, but the star of the offense is clearly tailback Leilyon Myers.
Myers led the team in rushing last season with 869 yards on 150 carries and 13 touchdowns. He is a returning honorable mention All-American and according to JCgridiron.com, Myers is one of the top five players at his position in the nation and is the first option on offense. He will be looked upon to carry the load for the Comets and is poised for a breakout season. After Myers, the Comets have several options including Orenzo Davis from Columbine High in Littleton, Colo. Davis rushed for 1,416 yards and 16 touchdowns last season and tacked on 10 receptions for 268 yards and three touchdowns for his high school team.
Returning starter Maurice Patterson once again anchors the receiving corps for the Comets. He is a big target at 6 foot 3, 200 pounds and has drawn the attention of several Division-I programs.
On defense, the Comets are led by returning All-American Caleb Evans and free safety Arthur Render. Evans led the team in tackles for losses, sacks, and quarterback hurries. Evans anchors the defensive line while Render holds the secondary unit together. Together they build the nucleus of a strong defensive unit.
"We are about 4-5 deep at every position so depth will be a strong point for us," Early said.
As typical with a junior college program, several freshmen are expected to make impacts for this year Comets.
"We have a good mixture of experienced sophomores and good incoming freshman," Early said. "There (are) a good, strong crop of incoming freshman that will also help out. So cohesion will also be a key."
With the returning sophomores and incoming freshmen, some are saying that the Comets are poised for a return to the playoffs.
The Comets will scrimmage at Chaffey College on Aug. 29 and its first game is at home against Southwestern College at 1 p.m. on Sept. 6.
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