Comets' QB takes the scenic route to playoffs

By: SCOTT BAIR - Staff Writer | Friday, November 21, 2003 11:16 PM PST ∞

If there's one thing that Tony Paoli is, it's persistent. Palomar College's hard-nosed quarterback was relentless in search of a playoff berth, leading the Comets on a four-game winning streak and into the postseason. They face undefeated College of the Canyons today at Santa Clarita in the first round of the Southern California playoffs.

Paoli's recent illustration of steadfast determination doesn't even compare with the manic pursuit of his ultimate goal ---- to become a Division I quarterback.

Paoli's quest spans seven years, three high schools, three colleges and more than 4,706 miles. He has traveled from Florida to Maine to Nevada to Palomar, all in the name of football, all in the name of a dream.

After three promising seasons at Plantation High in Ft. Lauderdale, everything seemed so straightforward. The dream was within his grasp, but Paoli thought it better to switch schools his senior year to get more exposure from high-profile colleges.

A meaningless preseason game for his new school, Cardinal Gibbons High, began his cross-country trek. Paoli separated his shoulder in that game and missed the entire season. He switched schools to attract big-name scouts, but because of his injury he got none.

"I made the decision to transfer based solely upon football," Paoli said. "I left all my friends behind. I didn't know anyone or anything about my new school. My whole life revolved around football, and when I couldn't play, I had nothing left."

Paoli had given up everything for football. When it wasn't there, depression filled the void. There were no calls from college recruiters to comfort his loneliness, no D-I scholarship offers to cure his blues.

So Paoli transferred after the season to a third high school, St. Thomas Aquinas, just to graduate. After a fruitless recruiting period and no local junior-college football program to ease into, Paoli attended Bridgeton Prep School in Maine, an extended high school, in order to keep the dream alive.

Paoli again left his friends and family behind, but this time he remained healthy. But even after Paoli's strong season at Bridgeton, the mailbox remained empty and the phone stayed silent.

"I went up there to get looks from scouts on the East Coast, and we didn't get any," Paoli said.

So Paoli and his father, Art, took matters into their own hands. They compiled a tape and sent it to most D-I programs. Nevada-Las Vegas showed interest.

They flew him out, put him up in a posh hotel and told him of a future as a marquee quarterback for the Rebels. But after Paoli spent a redshirt season as a walk-on, UNLV didn't have any scholarships to offer or quarterback positions available. So once again, Paoli packed his bags and looked for a new beginning.

"All I was looking for was a shot, but I never got one in Las Vegas," Paoli said. "They didn't offer me and I didn't want to settle, so I decided to move on."

Paoli moved on down Interstate 15 looking for a fresh start and found coach Joe Early and the Palomar program. Paoli started from scratch with Palomar, having to learn a new offense after missing most of summer camp.

Paoli began the season as a backup, but took full advantage when he got a chance to play. He has thrown for 1,312 yards and 11 touchdowns this year, earning a second-team All-Mission Conference American Division nod despite only five starts.

His sixth and most important start will come today against College of the Canyons.

"Tony needs to make good decisions and protect the football for us to be efficient on offense," Early said. "He got a late start learning the offense, but he's making progress every week. And if he continues at this pace, he'll become a solid quarterback for us with a bright future after he leaves."

Palomar is not Paoli's final destination, but he learned some lessons along the way.

"When I came here, I wanted to get out as fast as I could," Paoli said. "But being here has taught me what it means to be part of a team. And right now, I'm not even concerned with my future. All I know is that I want to win.

"I've never won a championship, and I can't think of a better group of guys to do it with."

PALOMAR vs. COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS

KICKOFF: 7 p.m. today at Cougar Stadium, Santa Clarita

RECORDS: Palomar 8-2; College of the Canyons 10-0

RADIO: KKSM (1320 AM)

LAST MEETING: Canyons won 21-15 in overtime Sept. 13.

AT A GLANCE: This game, the Western State Bowl, doubles as a first-round game in the eight-team Southern California playoffs. Palomar has been in a do-or-die situation for five weeks now. The Comets won four straight games just to reach the playoffs. And now that they have made it, the Comets will try to hand the Cougars their first loss in almost a year. College of the Canyons squeaked out a victory in overtime in Week 2, but the Palomar squad it faced no longer exists. The newer model features QB Tony Paoli (11 TDs, three INTs), a significant upgrade over Matt Pound who had two fumbles against the Cougars. The Comets' defense has acquired confidence and aggressiveness in recent weeks, forcing 32 turnovers in 10 games, nine of which came in the past two weeks. ... WR Caleb Spencer has become the deep threat Palomar lacked early this season. He keeps the defense honest and makes short routes easier to throw and running lanes easier to open. Canyons QB Jason Beck has amassed 1,681 yards and 11 TDs while throwing only two INTs all season. RB Marcus Crawford averages 6.8 yards per carry.