Following another winning season on the gridiron the Palisades High football program had its postseason awards banquet Sunday and senior tailback/linebacker Dakotah Hamilton was presented the Joe Spector Award as the varsity’s Most Valuable Player.
“I met Dakotah when he was in 10th grade and knew then he had potential not only as an athlete, but as a student,” Pali High life experience coach Joe Spector said. “He’s going to major in mechanical engineering and wants to go into politics someday. I see him being the future mayor of Los Angeles because his peers and adults have the utmost respect for him.”
UC Davis-bound lineman Ari Sallus was named Offensive MVP, linebacker Noah Karp was named Defensive MVP and Washington State commit Syr Riley was chosen Lineman of the Year. Wide receivers Cameron Bailey and Alex Vaupen were named Backs of the Year, the Focus Award went to offensive guard and linebacker Jack Estabrook and the inaugural Brenden Daley Award went to touchdown leader Max Palees.
“This is my Compete Award,” Pali High head coach Tim Hyde said. “Brenden was my All-American linebacker at Ventura College in 2010 and then played at Hawaii and passed away from a brain aneurism the day before Thanksgiving. He and I were good friends, he came to Pali to speak to the team a few times. This is my way of keeping his memory alive.”
Junior varsity coach Ray Marsden made sure his team was recognized following a 10-0 season in which the Dolphins outscored their opponents 330-20 with seven shutouts.
The JV Lineman of the Year was Joe Huff, Rookie of the Year was freshman quarterback Forrest Brock, Offensive Player of the Year was tailback Kaalan Day, Defensive Player of the Year was linebacker Will Clifford and the MVP was two-way back Jared La Violette.
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