COD (0-2) dropped a heartbreaker in their 2024 home opener, two long touchdown runs called back on holding penalties and a fumbled punt return proved to be too much, falling to the Los Angeles Pierce Brahmas of Woodland Hills (2-2), 35-29.

The Roadrunners played against the Los Angeles Pierce Brahmas of Woodland Hills for the first time in program history in 1999 and hold a 2-7-1 overall record against Pierce. Desert has a 1-3-1 record against the Brahmas at home. The most recent time the Roadrunners played Pierce was in 2023, the game was in Woodland Hills and Desert prevailed, 50-28. But the last time Desert defeated the Brahmas in Palm Desert was in 2001, when the Roadrunners demolished Pierce, 72-13.

Freshman quarterback Thomas Ansley (6-1/225 La Quinta H.S.) was the leading rusher for the Roadrunners, carrying the ball 19 times for 108 yards and 2 scores. He was also the leading passer for Desert, going 9 for 12 for a total of 96 yards. Sophomore defensive back Jaden McCray (6-2/175 Palm Desert H.S.) had a great night in the secondary, leading all Roadrunners gridders in tackling with 8 total, 4 solo, including a fumble recovery and a broken-up pass.

The next match-up for the Roadrunners will be at the Los Angeles Southwest Cougars of West Adams on Saturday, October 5 at 6p. The Roadrunners first competed against Southwest in 1971 and hold a 6-3 overall record against them. Desert has a 2-2 record against the Cougars in West Adams. The most recent time the Roadrunners played Southwest was in 2023, where Desert fell late, 50-42. The most recent time Desert defeated the Cougars was at LA Southwest in 2023, defeating the Cougars, 64-20 on October 1, 2022. Prior to the 2022 meeting, the most recent time Southwest faced the Roadrunners was 1989.

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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 Darbie Catalfamo Photography.