Dolphins Display Speed in Scrimmage

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The first play of last Friday’s scrimmage at Stadium by the Sea set the tone for the afternoon.

Palisades’ All-City linebacker Alec Simpson knifed into the backfield to tackle an El Camino Real running back behind the line of scrimmage – a testament to the physicality and speed the Dolphins  displayed against a fellow City Division I opponent.

Later in the Conquistadores’ first series, Dolphins safety Gabe Galef intercepted a pass at the goal line – much to the satisfaction of head coach Tim Hyde.

“We’ve been going at it for a month, prepping all the way up to this point to get better,” Hyde said. “This was nothing but a practice, a pre-test. There was no scoreboard, we just wanted to see where we are since we kicked off camp July 29. What I loved is the energy. All 44 players were able to get on the field and have some fun.”

When starting quarterback P.J. Hurst led the offense onto the field,  it didn’t take long for the Dolphins to find the end zone. Running back Innocent Okoh ran 15 yards on the first play and busted loose for a 25-yard touchdown on the second.

“The whole team was pumped, I was just ready to get out there and do what I do,” said Okoh, a junior who was brought up to varsity for league play last season. “I can’t do it without the linemen, though.”

Not to be outdone, Stone Maderer ran for two scores, going vertical on his first after a bruising  run by Willy Rosenfeld put Palisades on the doorstep.

“It felt really good – I had that mindset that I’m ging to score,” Maderer said. “We still need to work on a few things but the line is getting better and better every day.”

Each of Palisades’ three quarterbacks got to play at least one series of 10 downs and the second- and third-team defenses saw significant action.

Pali High JV coach Ray Marsden was also pleasantly surprised by his team’s performance.

Chris Howard caught a touchdown pass from Jared Dodson and Kai Henneberg and Devin Frye ran for scores for the Dolphins, who played ECR on even terms.

“I’m a lot more confident than I was before the scrimmage,” Marsden said. “Noah Karp did well at quarterback and that position is his to lose, although Jared moved up the depth chart. Alex Vaupen had a few breakups on defense and Dakota Hamilton had some great hits.”