El Camino College Football Shatters Records in Victory Over Palomar

The El Camino College football team delivered a remarkable performance on October 21, 2023, defeating Palomar College with a record-setting offensive display. The Warriors achieved a total of 673 yards, which included an impressive 469 rushing yards, solidifying their dominance on the field.

Despite the overwhelming offensive output, the game remained competitive late into the fourth quarter. Palomar, struggling with a record of 1-6, managed to cut a 21-point deficit to just seven points with 6:18 remaining in the game. Facing a critical third-and-two situation on their own 23-yard line, El Camino’s running back, Damonte Bias, made an explosive 62-yard run, setting up a crucial touchdown pass from quarterback Andrew Maushardt to Jaden Moore that ultimately sealed the win at 45-31.

Bias was the standout player, rushing for 266 yards on just 22 carries, breaking the previous single-game rushing record of 263 yards held by Delvon Flowers since 1998. The team’s total rushing yards also surpassed the previous record of 343 yards set in 2021, demonstrating a significant improvement in their ground game.

The Warriors wasted no time establishing their presence, scoring on their first two possessions. Maushardt connected with Cameron Brewer for an 11-yard touchdown shortly after the game began, followed by a 23-yard field goal converted by Christian Miranda, putting El Camino ahead 10-0. Despite a few setbacks, including two fumbles from Moore in the first half, the Warriors maintained their momentum.

In a pivotal moment, Palomar’s kicker, Carson Beard, successfully converted a 47-yard field goal, narrowing El Camino’s lead to 17-10 before halftime. The Warriors responded effectively; Bias launched a 21-yard run, followed by a 44-yard sprint into the red zone. This set up another touchdown pass from Maushardt, this time to Brandon Jones, extending their lead to 17-3 with just over four minutes left in the half.

Palomar had a chance to close the gap further when they recovered a fumble, returning it to El Camino’s two-yard line. However, the Warriors’ defense held firm, stopping Palomar on four consecutive plays to maintain their lead heading into halftime.

“We were in a dogfight tonight against Palomar,” stated Gifford Lindheim, El Camino’s head coach. He praised the team’s defensive stand just before halftime and highlighted Bias’s significant touchdown run that followed. “They fought back, but our guys stayed strong,” he added.

After halftime, Bias continued to shine, scoring on a 57-yard touchdown run that pushed El Camino’s advantage to 24-3. Palomar quickly responded with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Bubba Garcia, bringing the score to 24-10. The back-and-forth continued, with Palomar narrowing the lead to just seven points after a touchdown reception by Michael Perry-Mack.

Moore’s two-yard touchdown run briefly gave El Camino breathing room, but Palomar’s KJ Chatham connected with Vincent Landry for another touchdown, again cutting the deficit to seven. In the final moments, Bias and Moore effectively closed out the game, securing the victory for the Warriors.

Reflecting on the game, Moore acknowledged the challenges faced during the match, particularly his earlier fumbles. “I had to overcome a little bit of adversity and get my head right. When they got close, we just talked to the team and our guys were able to finish it out,” he said.

With this victory, El Camino College improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play, showcasing their potential as a formidable contender in the season ahead.