Palomar Starts Quickly in Rout of Golden West

SAN MARCOS —  Palomar College’s wide-open offense wiped out Golden West, 57-14, in a Mission Conference football game Saturday at San Marcos High School.

Palomar, which won a share of the J.C. Grid-Wire national championship last season, scored on its first eight possessions, getting four touchdowns in the first quarter.

Golden West, which has long been considered one of the stronger defensive teams in Southern California, could do little to stop the Comets (2-0).

Golden West pass rushers put little pressure on Palomar quarterback Tommy Luginbill, son of San Diego State football Coach Al Luginbill. Palomar often uses four wide receivers in a no-huddle set, and Luginbill often threw quickly out of the shotgun formation.

Luginbill, who left with most of the Palomar starters midway through the third quarter, completed 23 of 35 passes for 343 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Palomar’s first touchdown came quickly in the first quarter. Luginbill led the Comets on an eight-play drive that took 2 minutes 45 seconds. The touchdown came on a 27-yard pass from Luginbill to John Livingston.

Golden West went three plays, then punted, and Palomar scored again, this time on a one-yard dive by Markeith Ross with 8:55 to play in the quarter. Golden West again went three plays and had to punt.

Palomar needed only three plays and 58 yards to get to the end zone this time. Luginbill completed passes of 26 and 27 yards, and Tony Burton scored on a five-yard run to give the Comets a 21-0 lead with 6:34 to play in the quarter.

Golden West got a first down on its next possession but then punted. This time Golden West extended Palomar to four downs at the Rustlers’ 18. But the Comets decided to go for the first down, and Luginbill completed an 18-yard scoring pass to Andreal Climon with 1:58 to go in the half.

Palomar led, 45-0, at halftime and had 472 yards in total offense. The Comets finished with 628 yards to 186 for Golden West.

Golden West scored one touchdown in the third quarter and one in the fourth. In the third quarter, Brian Williams broke four tackles on his way to scoring off a swing pass from Steve Walker from 17 yards. Robert Fiesler scored on a nine-yard run for Golden West’s final score.