2024 Season in Review - COD Football

Under veteran head coach Jack Steptoe, in his 10th season leading the Roadrunners, Desert finished the regular season with a record 2-8 overall and 2-3 in conference. The Roadrunners placed 5th in the Southern California Football Association (SCFA) American Division - Metro League.

The complete list of American-Metro League honorees can be found HERE

The Roadrunners broke some important records and settled some scores from decades past during the course of the 2024 season, as Desert defeated Santa Ana for first time in program history.

Freshman running back and punter Thomas Ansley (La Quinta H.S.) was named First team All-Metro League in two separate categories, as a running back and a punter. As a running back, he finished first in League in four major categories, including: rushing yards per game (108.2), rushing touchdowns (13), total carries (167) and yards (902). As a punter, Ansley also finished in the top five in Conference in all statistical categories including: punts (36 – 4th), yards (1528 – 3rd) and yardage per punt (42.4 – 1st). Ansley had impressive games spread throughout the course of the 9-game season, including a season high at home against Victor Valley on Homecoming Night, where he had a season high 25 carries for a season high 196 yards. He had a season high 157 yards passing at L.A. Southwest on October 5 and a season high 307 yards punting, including 5 inside the 20 at Chaffey on October 26.

Sophomore kicker Dylan Armendariz (Palm Springs H.S.) was once again named First team All-Metro League, claiming the award in 2023 as well. He was tops in field goals made (7), field goal attempts (11), second in point after touchdown percentage (95.5%) and converted the longest field goal in the Conference (46 yards). His best and most impactful game of the season was at home against the Santa Ana Dons on November 16. Armendariz was perfect, knocking in four of four extra point attempts and converting field goals of 32 and 46 yards for a total of 10 points in a 34-7 win.

Sophomore defensive end Callum Armstrong (La Quinta H.S.) was also named First team All-Metro League after being named Second team All-Metro League in 2023. He was tops in sacks (6) and second in sack yardage (27), all while grabbing 30 total tackles. His best game of the season was a 4-sack night at home, against the Compton Tartars, where the Roadrunners grabbed their first win of the season, 28-8.

Sophomore outside linebacker Jermaine Stewart, Jr. (Destrehan (LA) H.S.) was also named First team All-Metro League after being named Second team All-Metro League in 2023. He was top-5 in multiple categories including: solo tackles (5th – 33), assist tackles (3rd – 24), total tackles (2nd – 57) and tackles per game (2nd – 7.2). His best game of the season was at Santa Monica on September 14, where he had 10 total tackles including 8 solo, a sack, a broken-up pass and two tackles for loss.

Sophomore center Joshua Reynolds (La Quinta H.S.) was named Second team All-Metro League.

Freshman All-Purpose and Utility player De'Angelo Thomas (West Bloomfield Township (MI) H.S.) was named Second team All-Metro League in two separate categories. Thomas defined "All-Purpose" and "Utility," he led the League in interceptions (5) and when he wasn't busy catching 19 passes for 209 yards, he was busy grabbing kick off returns (7) for 124 yards. On a team with limited depth, Thomas was everything everywhere all at once. His best game of the season was the Sophomore Night blow-out of Santa Ana, when Thomas snagged a pick and scampered 32 yards for a touchdown, to put Desert up 21-0.

Sophomore defensive tackle Kristian Verdun (McDonough (GA) Union Grove) was once again named Second team All-Metro League, claiming the award in 2023 as well. He was top-10 in solo tackles (21), total tackles (37) and was a key interior defensive lineman. His best game of the season was Homecoming Night against Victor Valley where he had a season high 8 total tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Sophomore inside linebacker Tikeri Asailevai (Anchorage (AK) A. J. Dimond) was named Second team All-Metro League. He was top-4 in multiple categories including: total tackles (2nd – 63), tackles per game (3rd – 7.0), broken-up passes (T-4th – 5), and assist tackles (2nd – 32). His best game of the season was the Sophomore Night blow-out of Santa Ana, grabbing 11 total tackles, 4 solo in the 34-7 win.

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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.