COD Football grabs five interceptions, as defense shuts down the Seahawks, 25-14

COD (2-3) wanted to close out their non-Conference schedule on a good note and their defense stepped up to the task as they held the LA Harbor Seahawks of Wilmington (2-4), to 34 rushing yards and grabbed five interceptions in a 25-14 win.

The Roadrunners really opened up the game big as the Seahawks would take the opening kickoff and on their first drive, Desert sophomore linebacker Joshua Gutierrez (Imperial, TX) picked off the Harbor quarterback on their own 12 yard line. Three plays later, the Roadrunners sophomore running back Tony Williams, Jr. (Indio Shadow Hills) scampered into the end zone to give Desert and early 6-0 lead.

On the next Desert possession, they would build on that lead, as freshman kicker Diego Martinez (Thermal Desert Mirage) connected on a 42 yard attempt to give the Roadrunners a 9-0 lead.

Harbor would score quickly after the Desert field goal to get on the board, making the score 9-7.

Desert would wrap up the first half on a defensive stop led by a forced fumble from sophomore defensive lineman Datona Jackson (Union City, OH Mississinawa Valley) and a recovery from sophomore defensive lineman Scott Arnold (Lancaster Eastside). The Roadrunners would turn that opportunity into a 12 play drive for 78 yards, capped off by another Martinez field goal, making the score 12-7 at the half.

The Roadrunners second possession of the second half, led directly to another connection between sophomore quarterback Noah Shoeman (Murray, UT) and sophomore wide receiver Jaurice Thomas (South Elgin, IL) as the two rolled up a 38 yard run to the house and gave Desert a 19-7 lead.

The next drive for the Seahawks was abruptly stopped by the keen eye and quick work of freshman free safety Jai Knight (Boutte, LA Hahnville) who picked off the first of two passes in the third quarter alone and darted 20 yards to the Desert 32 yard line. The last drive of the third quarter for the Seahawks was also stopped by Knight's fast hands.

Freshman full back Ricardo Tong (La Quinta H.S.) wrapped up the offense for the Roadrunners with 39 seconds left in the third quarter by diving into the end zone to give Desert a 25-7 lead.

The last time Desert and the Seahawks faced-off against one another was in 2013 and the game was in Palm Desert, where the Roadrunners walked away with a 29-17 victory. The Roadrunners have a 4-3 record overall against Harbor, and a 3-1 record at home.

Sophomore defensive lineman Aulsondro Hamilton (Moreno Valley Vista Del Lago) had an impressive night, snagging two and a half sacks, totaling a loss of eight yards and three and a half tackles for loss totaling nine yards, plus a quarterback hurry as the Roadrunners defense harassed the LA Harbor Seahawks offense all night.

Sophomore wide receiver Jaurice Thomas (South Elgin, IL) had his second best night of 2018 in the receiving corps, as Thomas caught nine passes for 152 yards, including a long of 39 yards and a touchdown.

The next game for Desert is on the road, when they open American Division - Mountain Conference play by traveling to the Citrus Fighting Owls of Glendora, game starts at 1 p.m. The last time Desert and the Owls faced-off against one another was in 2013 and the game was in Glendora, where the Roadrunners walked away with a 38-21 loss. The series between the Owls and Roadrunners began in 1988 and the most recent win for Desert was in 2009, in Glendora, 17-10. The win in 2009 remains the only road win in the series for Desert so far. The Roadrunners have a 6-10 record overall against Citrus, and a 1-8 record on the road.

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com)