Football Opens Conference Play With Win at San Diego Mesa

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - College of the Desert football opened its American Mountain League schedule by picking up its first win of the season with a 35-17 win over San Diego Mesa Saturday afternoon in San Diego.

The Roadrunner offense paved the way consistently throughout the game, racking up a season-high 570 yards.  The attack was led by reigning American Mountain League Offensive Player of the Week, sophomore quarterback Stephen Johnson II (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Los Osos HS), who completed 32 of 47 passes for 370 yards and five touchdowns.  Johnson also rushed 12 times for 57 yards.

Freshman Anthony Ellison (Banning, CA/Banning HS) went over the century mark on the ground, netting 110 yards on 20 carries.  A pair of Roadrunner wide receivers also went over the century mark, with freshman Reginald Macon (Fort-Worth, TX/Boswell HS) and sophomore Tristian Buyck (Montgomery, AL/Sydney Lanier HS) gaining 109 and 100 yards, respectively.  Macon caught 13 passes, including one for a touchdown.

Sophomore wide receiver Marquis Kingery (Carmel, IN/Carmel HS) caught five passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Kerry Mott (Birmingham, MI/Birmingham HS) and freshman Jason Orr (Dallas, TX/Fountain-Fort-Carson HS) each hauled in one touchdown. 

The Desert defense continued its strong play from late last week, as they held the San Diego offense to just 324 yards, while forcing two turnovers.  Freshman free safety Justin Dorsey (Cathedral City, CA/Cathedral City HS) led the way with 10 tackles and one interception. 

College of the Desert (1-3, 1-0) will be back home next week for an American Mountain League matchup with San Bernardino.  Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.