COD (5-4; 3-1) played their best game of the season at just the same time that the #18 team in the state decided to have their worst game of the season, as the Roadrunners stunned the previously unbeaten Chula Vista Southwestern Jaguars (8-1; 3-1), 51-34.

The approach was simple, use the clock and hold the football for as long as possible and it worked wonders. Desert had almost 36 minutes of possession compared to only 24 minutes for the Jaguars and it proved to be the great undoing of Southwestern.

The Roadrunners would take their opening possession and slowly and methodically, use a wildcat style offense to pick apart the vaunted Jaguars defense. Rolling up 81 yards in 15 plays, all while using over seven and a half minutes, leading to a dart pass from freshman quarterback Darius Hulsey (Thermal Coachella Valley) to sophomore wide receiver Myles Goulbourne (Waterbury (CT) Crosby) for a huge three yard score. After an extra point by freshman kicker Ethan Skarmas (Palm Springs Desert Chapel), Desert had a 7-0 lead.

Then the Desert defense had a chance to flex their muscle. On the second play from scrimmage, sophomore defensive back Corey Dalton (Midlothian (IL) Bremen) snagged his seventh interception of the season and scampered 36 yards to pay dirt as he took the pick six into the end zone to give the Roadrunners a huge 14-0 lead.

Just before the end of the first quarter, Desert began a drive that would end in the beginning of the second quarter. After going 96 yards in 14 plays, taking another six minute away from the Jaguars, Hulsey was locked onto Goulbourne for their second score of the night, giving the Roadrunners an improbable, 20-0 lead. The shut out would last mere moments as Southwestern took an extra-point attempt block back for a 2-point score, making it a 20-2 game.

Southwestern took their next possession and made the most of it as they strolled 70 yards in 11 plays and made the Desert defense very aware that the home side was not going to take this game without a fight. The Jaguars would score on a six yard pass play and after the extra point, the score left Desert in the lead, 20-9.

Then things started to get interesting as Desert was forced into a three-and-out situation and the Jaguars would take their next possession and marched down the field in a little over three minutes, making the score 20-16, with the Roadrunners holding onto that four point lead.

Thankfully, Roadrunners fans need not worry as the Desert offensive line was ready to unleash the double barreled attack of sophomore running back Anthony Ellison (Banning H.S.) and freshman running back Kamone Best (Goldsboro (NC) Eastern Wayne). On their next possession, the Roadrunners would let Best loose and he rolled his way to the end zone on a 41 yard dash, giving the home crowd something to really cheer about and Desert a 27-16 lead.

The Desert defense stepped up again on the Jaguars next possession and forced Southwestern to punt the ball away, doing so at their own peril as sophomore punt returner Reginald Macon (Fort Worth (TX) Boswell) grabbed the ball and after a few key blocks ran 68 yards to the house, giving the home side a huge 34-16 advantage just before halftime.

Ellison racked up 140 yards on 19 carries with two scores and Best, who played at quarterback most of the night, rushed 15 times for 109 yards and a touchdown. Goulbourne was the leading target all night for both Best and Hulsey, grabbing 11 passes for 95 yards and two visits to the end zone. 

Freshman defensive end Romello Hamilton (Goldsboro (NC) Eastern Wayne) once again proved to be a defensive threat as he led the team in total tackles with 13 and had one and a half sacks. Sophomore defensive back Timothy Darcelien (Apex, NC) was picked on all night by the Southwestern passing attack, but he stepped up in a big way, as he had ten total tackles and two pass breakups in the win.

Photo by Ken Simonds
Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.