COD (4-2; 1-0) opened up American Conference-Mountain Division play with the 49th annual Palms-to-Pines Trophy game, traveling to Mt. San Jacinto (3-3; 0-1) and knocking off the Eagles, 43-36.

Freshman running back Tony Williams (Indio Shadow Hills) had 26 carries for 207, which is the best single game performance this season so far. The Desert Offensive Line opened up large holes, helping Williams average 8 yards per carry. In addition, Williams' opening score in the game was also his longest gain of the day, 62 yards, with 8:48 left in the first quarter, helping the Roadrunners to their fourth straight win and retain the coveted Palms-to-Pines Trophy.

Freshman linebacker Chris Arnold (Lancaster Eastside) led College of the Desert with six total tackles, three solo, and a sack, and freshman kicker/punter Luis Castellanos (Cathedral City H.S.) was 5 for 5 on his extra point attempts and put 5 of his 7 kickoffs in for touchbacks on the afternoon.

The next home game for the Roadrunners is the 2017 Homecoming Game on October 21st against San Bernardino Valley at 6 p.m. Both teams will be playing for the "COD-SBVC Challenge Trophy." Desert has faced San Bernardino Valley 32 times since 1981; San Bernardino Valley leads in overall record 17-15. Desert was blindsided in last year's contest at the Wolverines, 13-10 in the Challenge Trophy game. Desert has an 8-9 record at home versus San Bernardino Valley.

Photo by Rodrigo Pena (rigopena@yahoo.com)
Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.