APTOS — Two costly special teams mistakes kept the Contra Costa College football team from starting the season with a shutout as the Comets opened the year with a 36-14 victory against Cabrillo College here Saturday.

“We came out real slow and we should’ve just jumped on them,” Comet defensive back Chauncey Carter said. “If we did our job on special teams they would not have scored those two touchdowns. But our defense pulled together in the end,” he said.

CCC was forced to punt on its second possession after an opening possession touchdown drive when quarterback Zachary Kazakoff ran the ball in to score on an option play. Late in the fourth quarter, Kazakoff scored on a fourth-and-goal play to score his second touchdown of the night and to seal the game at 33-14.

After the first Comet touchdown long snapper Michael Angelo Ison missed a key block allowing penetration from inside the gaps and the Seahawks blocked Terrance Barnes’ punt attempt giving the home team an instant red zone opportunity. Two plays later, the Seahawks scored on a slant across the middle to tie the game 7-7 in the first quarter.

During CCC’s next drive, coach Alonzo Carter put Emmanuell Williams in as quarterback. Harold Holcombe III rumbled for a 25-yard run and ran for eight more on the next play. A quick quarterback draw helped the Comets pick up a first down and set up the biggest pass of the night.

Williams, after play action, rolled out left and threw a perfect pass to wide receiver Sterling Taylor for 31 yards. This put the Comets in a position to score with a first-and-goal. “We have a lot of talent at quarterback,” Holcombe III said. “We have different packages which allows all our QBs to get in and make plays.”

CCC running back Kruger Story Jr. eventually scored on an option play, faked well by Kazakoff. Comet kicker Lorran Fonseca missed the extra point to make it 13-7.  Holcombe said it may seem odd, but playing multiple quarterbacks may be the trend this year — having CCC signal callers all playing regularly and to specifically designed plays. Williams said, “I’m not sure if the quarterback shuffle will be all season but I do know we are all very competitive at the position.”

Following the score, the Comets’ punt coverage allowed a sideline gap for Cabrillo’s wide receiver Dominic Bonner to score on a 55-yard punt return to make the score 14-13, Seahawks. “Coaches say there is an 80 percent chance of winning if you execute on special teams,” Chauncey Carter said.

“We’re satisfied with the win but we know we could have played much better.” CCC’s second half defense shut down the Seahawks, who failed to score a single point for the remainder of the game. In the third quarter Jones scored in the red zone from the 7-yard line to make the score 19-14 Comets, and they never trailed again.

After the Comet defense stopped Cabrillo for a quick three-and-out, Justice and wide receiver Frank Stevens connected for CCC’s longest touchdown play of the night — a 71-yard screen pass. Justice drove the Comets down into the red zone but threw an interception. He was then substituted out for the remainder of in the game. “At this point right now our quarterback situation is (three passers in rotation),” Williams said. “At some point though, the team will want to gel around one (QB) — its leader.”

The Comets next game will be their home opener against West Hills College-Coalinga on Saturday at 3 p.m.