Taming the Tigers

Dolphins Strike Early and Often to Demolish San Fernando, 49-6 

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

First, Palisades High football players joined a boisterous home crowd at Stadium by the Sea in singing “Happy Birthday” to Quarterback Club President Lisa Manheim. Then, the Dolphins proceeded to dismantle visiting San Fernando in their most lopsided triumph since crushing Taft by 54 points two years ago in Woodland Hills.

Dylan Hassid connected with Moses Ross on a 52-yard touchdown on the Dolphins’ first offensive play and Daniel Anoh ran 84 yards for another score on their second offensive play as Palisades cruised to a 49-6 victory—its fifth in a row going back to the spring.

Sammy Silvia replaced Hassid with the clock running continuously in the fourth quarter and capped the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown toss to Toby Manheim­ that had the fans, including proud mom Lisa, cheering.

Palisades’ no huddle offense has produced 88 points in two games, but Coach Chris Hyduke warned that “now the real competition begins,” alluding to tonight’s Charter Bowl against Granada Hills.      

After Anoh scored his second touchdown on a one-yard run to cap a 69-yar drive, safety Johnny Babala picked off an an overthrown pass—his third interception this season. On the next play, Hassid hooked up with Eli Ghodooshim on a 68-yard pass to make it 28-0 with one minute left in the first quarter.

San Fernando punted for a fourth time and Amari Yolas returned it  40 yards for a touchdown to open the second quarter. Anoh scored from 10 yards out to end the next possession and Palisades took a 42-0 lead into halftime. The Dolphins needed only 15 offensive plays to score 35 points.

“It was a five-yard hitch,” Ross said of his electrifying touchdown jaunt 18 seconds into the game. “I caught it, got some amazing blocks, saw the hole, ran through it and scored. Our offensive is explosive and  the goal is to score every time we have the ball.”