COD Football falls short in Homecoming loss to Rams, 27-26

COD (1-7; 1-2) moved the ball well on offense, but nearly 120 yards in penalties paired with 3 interceptions and short field opportunities for the visitors proved overwhelming for the defense, as the Roadrunners fell to the Victor Valley Rams of Victorville (3-5; 3-0), 27-26.

The Roadrunners played against Victor Valley for the first time in program history in 1967 and hold a 34-12 overall record against them. Desert has a 21-5 record against the Rams in Palm Desert. Desert had won the last 3 meetings between these two teams.

Sophomore defensive end Kristian Verdun (6-4 / 265) from Union Grove H.S. in McDonough, Georgia had a great night. Grabbing a season high 8 total tackles, including a 6-yard sack that led to a blocked punt in the third quarter. Verdun was also busy chasing the Rams quarterback all over the field, collecting 3 quarterback hurries. Sophomore kicker Dylan Armendariz (6-0 / 170) from Palm Springs H.S. had a great night. Grabbing a season high 8 points, including his second longest field goal of the season, a 40-yard kick. Armendariz also had 6 kick offs totaling 349 yards, including 2 touchbacks. Freshman quarterback Thomas Ansley (6-1 / 225) from La Quinta H.S. had a great night. Grabbing season highs in rushing yardage (196 yards), rushing touchdowns (3) and had his longest run of the season, a 76-yard scamper and score early in the 3rd quarter. Ansley also went 14 for 30 with 122 yards in the air.

The next match-up for the Roadrunners will be at the West Los Angeles Wildcats of Culver City (2-5; 0-2) on Saturday, November 9 at 1p. The Roadrunners played against West LA for the first time in program history in 1979, back when West LA was known as the Oilers and hold a 4-1 overall record against them. Desert has only played at the Wildcats once, on September 17, 2016, where the Roadrunners thumped West LA, 61-35. The next home match for the Roadrunners will YMCA Night on November 16 at 5p, when the Santa Ana Dons will be in Palm Desert. The Roadrunners played against Santa Ana for the first time in program history in 2010 and hold an 0-6 overall record against them. Desert has an 0-2 record against the Dons in Palm Desert. The most recent time the Roadrunners hosted the Dons was on September 14, 2013, where Santa Ana won, 42-7.

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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 Dale Beck Photography.