Blanking the Bulldogs

Pali High Football Shows Muscle in 23-0 Triumph Over Garfield

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

In a nonleague game between two of the City’s top eight programs, Palisades High Coach Tim Hyde told his team it would need to play hard for the full 48 minutes to win.   

The Dolphins did just that and came away with a hardfought 23-0 victory—their 12th shutout in eight seasons under Hyde, who was beaming with pride afterwards.

“I challenged our kids after the first game against Venice and they responded,” Hyde said. “I knew this would be a knockdown slugfest and a war for four quarters and I’m so proud of our guys. The offense made some big plays and the defense bent but didn’t break. It was a great high school football game against a really strong opponent that plays with a lot of pride.”

Hyde guided the Dolphins to the City Division I playoffs in 2013 in his first year at the helm and that season ended with a 27-20 loss at Garfield in East LA. Hyde earned the respect of Bulldogs Coach Lorenzo Hernandez and the two have been friends ever since.

“This whole game was set up because of the bye and I’m glad we got to play a team of this caliber,” Hyde said. “I told the kids it’s our last home game until next fall, so let’s make it a good one. I’m glad the seniors who stuck it out got to experience this.”

When COVID-19 put the season in jeopardy and delayed the start of football until spring, most of the 12th-graders decided not to play. Among them was first-string quarterback Forrest Brock, who transferred to Birmingham.

Hyde praised the eight seniors who opted to return: wide receivers Brandon Forrest and Josh Eastland; defensive backs Matthew King and Matthew Anoh; tailback Isaias Alegria; linebacker Pierre Harbin; safety Maxwell Halen and kicker Sebastian Conway-Burt.        

Alegria opened the scoring with a 90-yard jaunt, Daniel Anoh ran for a 46-yard touchdown, Brandon Forrest ran for a 22-yard score and Dylan Hassid threw to Xavier Smith on a 65-yard fade. Palisades stopped Garfield on downs four times inside the 20. Ryan Crayton and Amari Yolas had interceptions.