Blowout by the Beach

PaliHi Football Takes Step Back in 35-0 Shutout at Hands of Rival Santa Monica

Football is a game of emotion but Palisades High Head Coach Kelly Loftus understands the importance of keeping his cool through the highs and lows of a long season. One week after winning his first game as the Dolphins’ pilot, Loftus tasted his first defeat and although disappointed with last Friday night’s 35-0 loss at the hands of Santa Monica, he is not writing his team off. “I knew going into the game that we would have to play a lot better and we didn’t progress from the week before,” Loftus admitted. “You never like to lose and you certainly never like getting shut out, but hopefully this is a wake-up call that we are a long way from being a quality team. Can we be a quality team? Yes, but we have work to do.” Loftus realized his team was up against a formidable opponent after he and his coaches scouted Santa Monica’s first game–a 46-21 rout of visiting Hueneme. “It was obvious that they were very sharp in their execution and very well-coached,” Loftus said. “I expected this to be one of the tougher games on our schedule and it was.” Meanwhile, Vikings Head Coach Zach Cuda dubbed Friday’s intersectional meeting a potential “trap” game. With City power Venice looming next on the schedule, he was worried his players might overlook their “other” beach rival. Cuda need not have been concerned, however. Quarterback Ryan Katz completed eight of 11 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns and Vince Lawrence rushed for 106 yards and one score in 13 carries as the Vikings cruised to a 28-00 halftime lead at Santa Monica College. “We make an effort not to underestimate any opponent,” Cuda said. “It was important to get ahead early and keep the foot on the gas. Now we can concentrate on Venice. Our kids are really pumped up for that one.” Middle linebacker Max Monbouquette made 13 solo tackles for host Santa Monica (2-0), which allowed Palisades only four first downs. In fact, the Dolphins never crossed the 50-yard line. “Our line was too tall,” Loftus said after reviewing tape of the game on Monday. “We had the size advantage and yet we were being pushed back because their guys were quicker off the ball. We couldn’t run the ball because they constantly had players in our backfield.” The Dolphins were kept off the scoreboard for the first time since a 47-0 defeat at the hands of Sylmar to open the 2005 season. The 35-point loss matched last year’s 42-7 defeat as the most lopsided by either team in a rivalry that began in 1979. “There are a few positives we can take from this game,” Loftus said. “We didn’t give up any big plays so at least we made them earn their points. We only committed two penalties as opposed to nine against Hollywood. Also, we were much better at sending the right guys on and off the field and getting in and out of huddles faster.” Palisades never got in range for kicker Joe Berman to attempt his first field goal of the season but he was plenty busy–punting eight times against Santa Monica. Berman was held out of the Hollywood game while he recovered from a back injury. Up Next: Palisades (1-1) travels to Rolling Hills Estates for an intersectional game against Palos Verdes Peninsula (0-2) Friday at 3 p.m. The frosh/soph game kicks off at 3 p.m. on Thursday.