Dolphins Close the Show

It took more than three and a half quarters for Palisades’ offense to awaken but it did so just in time to rally for two fourth-quarter touchdowns and a 19-13 homecoming victory over University last Friday night at Stadium by the Sea. “This was a much tougher game than we expected or wanted but I’m proud of the way we hung in there,” Palisades Head Coach Kelly Loftus said. “The game ball tonight goes to the entire defense. They sucked it up and got it done.” The Dolphins still trailed, 14-7, with less than six minutes remaining when quarterback Conner Preston rolled to his left and found Loren Artis in the corner of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Alex Anastasi’s ensuing extra-point kick was blocked, leaving Palisades one point behind. Palisades forced University to punt on its next possession and took over at the Wildcats’ 41-yard line, setting the stage for Khalid Stevens’ game-winning touchdown run on first down. Stevens took a pitch from Preston, swept left, beat three defenders to the sideline and cut upfield to paydirt. “For me, being a senior, I’m moving on to bigger and better things, but this is right where I want to be,” said Stevens, who finished with 160 yards in 11 carries. “The pre-game ceremony was a beautiful thing but I think it made us a little lackadaisical. Luckily, our defense kept us in the game.” Preston completed 8 of 12 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns’the first a 42-yard strike to Joe Hyman that gave Palisades a short-lived 7-6 lead in the third quarter. It was Palisades’ defense, however, that carried the day. The Wildcats blitzed on practically every play throughout the first half, throwing the Dolphins’ offense out of whack. However, University was unable to move the ball, either, resulting in a 0-0 deadlock at halftime. “We really wanted to win this game for the seniors,” PaliHi sophomore linebacker Deandre Nelson said. “This is the last game they’re ever going to play here so we wanted to make it memorable. Uni came to play and I was impressed with their defense. But by the fourth quarter we had them figured out.” Senior linebacker Chris Hanuscin wreaked havoc in the Wildcats’ backfield all night, finishing with 15 tackles and one sack. Nelson added 11 tackles and Artis had six tackles and made one interception. The win ensured Palisades at least a .500 record and kept its postseason hopes alive. Perhaps Assistant Coach Al Heath summed up the game best: “The kids played with heart tonight.” Frosh/Soph John Lemoine and Willie Anderson each rushed for a touchdown but Palisades lost its third straight game, 22-15, at Stadium by the Sea. University led, 8-7, at halftime. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Playoff Spot on Line at Hamilton There will be a lot at stake when the Palisades High varsity football team travels to Hamilton for its regular season finale on Friday afternoon. Not only can the Dolphins clinch third place in the Western League, but a win could also secure them a spot in the City’s upper division playoffs. “If we win I think we’ve got a great shot of making the playoffs,” Head Coach Kelly Loftus said. “If we lose, we have a remote chance at best.” One factor helping Palisades is that Fairfax, which will finish second in league with a victory over last-place University, opted for the lower division playoffs, opening the door for the third-place finisher to sneak into the upper bracket. “Basically, we’re playing for a chance at that 11th game,” Loftus said. “That would be a huge step for our program.” Loftus said eight varsity players will be academically ineligible for Friday’s game, which kicks off at 3 p.m. The frosh/soph game is today at 3 p.m., also at Hamilton.