Perhaps no game this season means more to the Palisades High football team than tomorrow night’s Western League showdown at Venice.
Although the Gondos’ 43-game league winning streak ended with a 14-7 loss to University last Friday, the Dolphins still have plenty of motivation to beat their archrivals.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
Palisades hasn’t defeated Venice since 2000 when then state passing leader David Koral was the Dolphins’ quarterback and Steve Clarkson (founder of the Air 7 Quarterback Academy) was the Offensive Coordinator.
For current head coach Tim Hyde, it’s simply Game 7 on the schedule, but this is a game returning players have been looked forward to since last year’s 34-7 loss to the Gondos at Stadium by the Sea.
“Offensively, everyone needs to take care of their assignments – that’s it,” Pali High running back Desmond Box said. “The best quarterback, running backs and receivers in the Western League are at Palisades.”
Despite their 1-5 record, Hyde is not taking the Gondos lightly. After all, they have won 12 straight league titles.
“Venice has a lot of talent at the skill positions and they are very fast,” Hyde said. “Win or lose, we still have three games left after this. I’ve seen every team on film and anyone can beat anyone. It’s a very competitive league this year.”
As if the players needed extra incentive, the game will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable as the network’s featured “Game of the Week.”
Pali High wide receiver Quincy Cowherd expects the Dolphins to challenge the Venice secondary.
“We plan to throw and run, but we’ve seen them and as receivers we know we can get open and P.J. [Hurst] will get the ball to us,” Cowherd said. “He knows our moves, he knows where the sweet spots are. The passing game is all about timing and our timing is perfect right now.”
The frosh/soph game kicks off at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 7 p.m. at Venice High.
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