Dolphins Better by Half

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Before the start of last Thursday’s home opener, Kelly Loftus told members of the Palisades High junior varsity football team that the best present they could possibly give him was a victory over Sylmar.

The Dolphins not only gave him that, they had another surprise in store for their beloved line coach who has poured his heart and soul into the program. While addressing the team after its impressive 26-0 victory, Loftus was presented with a Jackie Robinson baseball bat, which he raised proudly with two hands.

“I collect ball bats, so this is a great gift,” said Loftus, who had celebrated his 60th birthday two days before. “The fact we won big is the best part. I’m very proud of our effort!”     

The kickoff was delayed one hour because of heat concerns and quarter lengths were shortened. Lightning strikes in the area caused the game to be called at halftime, but 20 minutes is all the Dolphins needed to prove they were the superior team.

“The last two years the scores against them were 8-0 and 12-8, so obviously tough, low-scoring games,” head coach Ray Marsden said. “This time we dominated. We scored on four of our five possessions and they went three-and-out five times, meaning they didn’t pick up a first down.”

Kenneth Cline scored the first touchdown on Palisades’ new turf field with a three-yard run on the Dolphins’ fourth play from scrimmage and Tayari Gloster added the two-point conversion.

Adam Cravens scored on a four-yard fullback dive, Nick Ghysels scored on a three-yard quarterback sneak and Kaalan Day scored on an eight-yard run.

After three fumbles and an interception in their opener six days before, the Dolphins played mistake-free football against Sylmar.    

“I was glad we got a half in and this is a huge improvement over last week,” Marsden said. “We had no penalties and no turnovers. Our kicker Tommy [Meek] has been hurt all season. Sebastian Conway-Burt filled in last week and in this game it was Jake Lyon. We still haven’t caused a turnover on defense but other than that I’m satisfied. Our passing game looked good. Nick [Ghysels] completed three passes and [backup] Forrest Brock was one-for-one with a 40-yarder. The plan was to get everyone in, which we would’ve done if we’d played the second half.”