MSJC Falls at Palomar in Season Finale

The MSJC football team wrapped up their 2025 season on Saturday night and could not fight their way out of an early deficit as they lost on the road at Palomar 35-28.

The Eagles found themselves down 7-0 on the first play of the game from scrimmage when the Comets connected on a 63-yard pass play to grab the early lead. The first quarter would continue to go downhill for MSJC as Palomar built a lead of 21-0 by the end of the period.

The Eagles would rally back in the second quarter to score the next 14 points. Cole Vasquez hit Jackson Weng with a 10-yard touchdown pass early in the second to cap off a 12 play 69-yard drive. On the Eagles' next possession Donovan Harvey scored on a 3-yard run to make the score 21-14. That touchdown was set up by Harvey's own 41-yard run earlier in the drive. Palomar seized back the momentum in the contest just before halftime when they got another big play with just 39 seconds remaining, scoring on a 48-yard pass play.

MSJC would again claw their way back to just 7 points down late in the third quarter when Vasquez found James Trevino on a 6-yard scoring strike and the teams would head to the fourth quarter with the Comets leading 28-21. Palomar answered the bell one more time with just under 12 minutes to play when they took advantage of a Vasquez interception to score on a quick 19-yard one play drive to push the lead back to 14. The Eagles would get within 7 one last time when Keon Gantt hooked up with Johnny Johnson on a 22-yard scoring pass with 5:39 to pay. The Comet offense was able to keep the ball for 10 plays and 5:12 of the remaining time on the ensuing drive before giving the ball back to MSJC with just 18 seconds left. Vasquez was sacked on the Eagles' first play of the drive, and they could not get off another play.

Vasquez finished the night completing 14 of 30 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, Gantt was 4 of 7 passing for 78 yards and a TD. Trevino and Weng each had 7 receptions with Trevino amassing 105 yards and Weng accounting for 91. Harvey had his best night of the season with 64 yards rushing on 10 attempts.

Giovanny Monge led the defensive effort by making 11 total tackles, he also had a sack and a half. Eddie Smith made 8 tackles bringing his team high season total to 89. Alijah Sio-Levao and Dojonni Bryant were both credited with 6 tackles each. Drew-Sene Amisone added an interception and Ifeanyi Onye had a sack.

The Eagles finish the season with an overall record of 3-7, they went 1-6 in National Southern League games.