2021 Season in Review - COD Football

Under seventh-year head coach Jack Steptoe, Desert finished the regular season with a record 3-7 overall and 2-3 in conference. The Roadrunners placed 4th in the American-Mountain Conference.

The complete list of American-Mountain Conference honorees can be found HERE

Football collected some notable victories in 2021 as they defeated Los Angeles Valley for the first time since 2011, defeating the Monarchs, 44-21 and faced Compton for the first time since 2015, defeating the Tartars, 20-7.

Wide receiver Kevin Johnson (Indio Shadow Hills) was named First Team All-Mountain Conference, finishing 3rd in the Conference in receiving yards per game average (76.0) and touchdown catches (7). The 6-foot 2, 204-pound freshman snagged 39 receptions for a total of 608 yards, while playing in 8 of 10 games in 2021. Johnson's best game of the season was a 6 catch, 152-yard effort at Grossmont on October 30.

Running back Malik Dotson (Arlington (WA) Lakewood) was also named First Team All-Mountain Conference, finishing 5th in the Conference in total rushing yards with 497 yards. The 6-foot, 205-pound freshman had 84 carries and four touchdowns in his 7 games for the Roadrunners in 2021. Dotson's best game of the season was a 29 carry, 151-yard rushing performance at home against the LA Valley on September 18.

Punter Brooks Stephenson (Palm Desert H.S.) was also named First Team All-Mountain Conference, finishing 6th in the State in punting yards average (38.6). The 6-foot 1, 192-pound freshman had 25 punts totaling 964 yards, with a long of 59 yards, 8 punts inside the 20-yard line and 3 touchbacks with no punts blocked the entire season. Stephenson's best game was a 6 punt, 262-yard effort at home against Mt. San Jacinto on October 23.

Center Mohommad Ibrahim (Phoenix (AZ) J.C. Greenway) was named Second team All-Mountain Conference. The 6-foot 4, 295-pound freshman helped protect quarterback Cesar Vela (Rancho Mirage H.S.) to throw for over 1000 yards and allow for the "Three Headed Monster" rushing attack of Vela, Dotson and freshman running back Arieon Capler (Palm Springs H.S.) to rush for over 1600 yards.

Defensive tackle Dylan Behymer (Surprise (AZ) Paradise Honors) was also named Second team All-Mountain Conference playing in 8 of the 10 games for the Roadrunners in 2021. The 6-foot, 255-pound sophomore would finish the season with 29 total tackles, 13 solo, a sack, a fumble recovery and an interception. Behymer's best game was a 6 total tackle effort at home against Mt. San Jacinto on October 23.

Cornerback Kenyon Tomlinson (Cleveland (OH) John F. Kennedy) was also named Second team All-Mountain Conference finishing in the top 15 in the State in total tackles (43) and tackles per game (5.4). The 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore played in 8 of 10 games for the Roadrunners, with his best game being a 10 total tackles performance at home against Glendale on November 19.

Safety Brooks Stephenson (Palm Desert H.S.) was also named Second team All-Mountain Conference finishing 3rd in Conference and 35th in the State in total tackles with 60, finishing 2nd in the Conference and 11th in the State in interceptions and finishing in the top 30 in the Conference in tackles for loss (4.5). The 6-foot 1, 192-pound freshman played in 9 games for the Roadrunners with Stephenson's best game being a 16 total tackle effort against Glendale on November 19.

Quarterback Cesar Vela (Rancho Mirage H.S.) was also named Second team All-Mountain Conference finishing 5th in the Conference for touchdowns (13) and 4th in the Conference in rushing yards per game (65.1). The 6-foot, 175-pound freshman would pass 193 times, completing 95 of those passes for 1065 yards to be the leading passer on the team and would carry the ball 83 times for 586 yards and two scores, to be the second leading rusher on the team.

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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 Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com).