COD (0-1) opened up 2019 at home and the defense was ready, chasing around the Pasadena City Lancers (1-0) quarterback, collecting 10 sacks on the night, but 96 yards of total offense and surrendering nine sacks of their own proved to be the difference as the Roadrunners fell, 22-13.

Sophomore linebacker Quintcy Egson (Indio Shadow Hills) had himself a night, as led the way collecting 3 of a team total 10 sacks on the evening for the Roadrunners, collecting 21 tackle-for-loss yards a forced fumble and a blocked punt to open the 2019 season.

The opening of the game looked really positive for the Roadrunners as they stopped Pasadena City to start the game, on the strength of back-to-back sacks. But on the ensuing punt, the Desert returner fumbled the punt and gave the ball back to the Lancers. As Pasadena City drove the length of the field, the Roadrunners defense stepped up in a big way, as freshman strong safety Donovan Brown (Franklin Park, IL East Leyden) snagged an interception in the end zone.

On the next drive for Desert, a Lancers personal foul penalty extended the drive for the Roadrunners, but a huge sack and fumble by the Desert quarterback was picked up by the Pasadena City defense and carried 35 yards for the opening score, giving the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Desert responded immediately, with a 59 yard run by sophomore running back Bronton Woodard, Jr. (Goldsboro, NC Rosewood) and adding a Lancers pass interference call, the Roadrunners would capitalize. As sophomore quarterback Armando Deniz (Thermal Coachella Valley) would connect with sophomore wide receiver Franklin Miller (Palm Springs H.S.) on a 13 yard pass play, tying the game at 7-7.

Desert would open up the second quarter by ending a drive by the Lancers with back-to-back sacks, the second of which led to a fumble recovery by sophomore defensive lineman Ulisses Rodriguez-Franco (Indio Shadow Hills) on the Pasadena City 35 yard line. Moments later, sophomore kicker Diego Martinez (Thermal Desert Mirage) converted a 29 yard field goal and gave the Roadrunners the lead, 10-7.

On the very next drive, the Lancers would tie the game up at 10-10 with a 37 yard field goal of their own, a score which would hold through halftime.

In the second half, Desert opened up with a lackluster drive, punting the ball away, but Pasadena City took their drive 49 yards and chewed up over seven minutes on the clock. But the stout Roadrunners defense held the Lancers to only a field goal, with the visitors holding a 13-10 lead.

Two drives later, Desert capitalized on sack and fumble turnover by Pasadena City and the Roadrunners grabbed another Martinez field goal, tying the game at 13-13 with a 33 yarder.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Letícia Gonzalez dos Santos (@lelealohasports on Instagram)