Records Fall as Comets Push Riverside in Shootout

RIVERSIDE, CA (9/27/2025) -- Palomar turned heads on Saturday afternoon in Riverside, going toe-to-toe with one of the state's perennial powers in a 62-49 shootout that featured fireworks from start to finish. The Comets not only matched the No. 13 Tigers score-for-score for much of the afternoon, but also rewrote the record books with a pair of historic performances.

After Riverside opened with a touchdown, Palomar answered instantly. Quarterback KJ Chatham dropped back on the first play of the ensuing drive and launched a perfect strike to Furious Hoskins for a 75-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7. The Comets then swung momentum with special teams, as Lucas Valencia blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by Skylar Briggs, giving Palomar a 14-7 lead and sending a jolt of energy through the visiting sideline.

As explosive as that start was, the second half belonged to sophomore quarterback Jakob Harris. Harris entered in relief and lit up the Riverside defense for more than 300 yards in just one half of play. His signature moment came midway through the third quarter when he connected with Hoskins on a 99-yard touchdown pass, the longest play in program history. Harris wasn't done, adding scoring strikes to Michael Perry-Mack, Micah Johnson, and Evan Hiremath, finishing with 380 yards and five touchdowns.

Hoskins etched his own name in Comet lore, hauling in eight receptions for 291 yards, setting a new single-game school record. Perry-Mack added three catches for 96 yards, giving the Comets multiple big-play threats on the day.

The defense and special teams matched the offense's energy with momentum-changing plays. Along with his blocked punt, Valencia posted 10 tackles and added an interception. Bubba Garcia delivered one of the game's most electric moments with a 55-yard interception return, while Adam Farha notched a sack to help slow Riverside's passing attack.

Though Riverside piled up over 800 yards of offense, the Comets refused to fold, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to keep the game within reach until the final minutes.

Rising Comets at the Midpoint

At the halfway mark of the season, Palomar sits at 1-4 overall, 0-2 in league play, but the record tells only part of the story. The Comets have battled four ranked opponents, Ventura, Pasadena City, San Diego Mesa and Riverside, and proven they can play with anyone.

The season opened with a narrow loss to then No. 11 Ventura, followed by a gritty road win at East Los Angeles behind a late interception by Isaiah Strong. A one-point heartbreaker at then No. 24 Pasadena showed the Comets' fight, and Alumni Night against then No. 21 San Diego Mesa ended in another one-score game. Against No. 13 Riverside, Palomar didn't just hang around, they made history.

Through five games, the Comets are averaging over 400 yards of total offense per game, led by the dual-quarterback combination of Chatham and Harris. Hoskins has emerged as one of the premier playmakers in the state, with a record-setting outing. Defensively, Palomar has created havoc with sacks, pass breakups, fumble recoveries, and blocked kicks, giving the Comets momentum in each contest.

For head coach Joe Early's squad, the first half of 2025 has been about growth, resilience, and proving the Comets belong in the conversation with the state's elite. With a bye week to regroup, Palomar returns to action on October 9 at home against Southwestern College, eager to turn near-misses into signature wins.