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College of the Desert

Football: El Camino-Compton Preview

PALM DESERT, Calif. – College of the Desert football will look to win its third consecutive American Mountain League game on Saturday evening when they take on visiting El Camino-Compton in this year's annual Homecoming game at 6 p.m. at Boone Field in Palm Desert.

Football: El Camino-Compton Preview
October 16, 2015

PALM DESERT, Calif. – College of the Desert football will look to win its third consecutive American Mountain League game on Saturday evening when they take on visiting El Camino-Compton in this year's annual Homecoming game at 6 p.m. at Boone Field in Palm Desert.

Last week: 

The Roadrunners had their bye last week, following a 53-34 victory over previously undefeated, San Bernardino, two weeks ago.  In that win, sophomore quarterback Stephen Johnson II (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Los Osos HS) completed 31 of 50 passes for 514 yards and five touchdowns.  He also ran 13 times for 54 yards and two more touchdowns.  Sophomore wide receivers Marquis D. Kingery (Carmel, IN/Carmel HS) and Tristian Buyck (Montgomery, AL/Sydney Lanier HS) each went over the century-mark in receiving yards, with 198 and 120, respectively.

El Camino-Compton fell 58-12 in an American Mountain League matchup with Mt. San Jacinto.  Quarterback Kyle Nesbit completed 21 of 42 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Adolph Barley caught nine passes for 113 yards. 
 

How they match up:

College of the Desert (2-3, 2-0)

                 El Camino-Compton (0-5, 0-2)
 
Offense:                  Defense:                         Offense:                Defense:
 
Pts/gm: 33.0     Pts/gm: 39.4                 Pts/gm: 12.8        Pts/gm: 46.8
Yds/gm: 471.0       Yds/gm: 457.6 Yds/gm: 273.6 Yds/gm: 531.2
Rush/gm: 147.0 Rush/gm: 167.6 Rush/gm: 91.4 Rush/gm: 275.2
Pass/gm: 324.0 Pass/gm: 290.0 Pass/gm: 182.2 Pass/gm: 256.0
 
 
 Coach's Preview:

The Roadrunners picked up a huge win two weeks ago against San Bernardino Valley, and the aftershocks of that victory are still resonating through Jack Steptoe's team.

"It had a great impact," said Steptoe.  "It showed us as a team that we can beat any team as long as we do what we are coached to do.  We must execute our assignments and win all phases of the game."
 
One thing all teams must guard against following a big win is the ever-looming letdown game of the following week.  Fortunately for coach Steptoe and co., their bye week came at the perfect time last weekend.
 
"It was extremely helpful," said Steptoe.  "It's a good mental builder for our players, and it also allowed us to get healthy and rested.  I will not let them relax at all."
 
Steptoe has also been harping on his players to "treat this team as if they were 5-0", as an additional means of preventing a slip-up against a winless opponent in El Camino-Compton. 
 
"They need to not rest on their laurels," said Steptoe.  "Any team can beat you if you don't prepare or take them lightly."
 
The Roadrunners will be showcasing their efforts in front of an expanded crowd Saturday evening, as the game serves as this year's Homecoming event.  A large of number of former student-athletes, staff and alumni will be in attendance, which, as coach Steptoe put it, is "very important for the college, the team and the players."

Steptoe went on to add, "It shows everyone that student-athletes can get a great education at the junior college level, and go on from here to have enriched and productive lives."
 

The Roadrunners will kick off tomorrow evening's game at 6 p.m., as they will be looking to open conference play at 3-0 for the first time in more than three years.