Football Goes from Worst to First

Dolphins Beat Hami in League Opener, Halt a Four-Game Road Losing Streak

It was only one game, but for a Palisades squad that had lost four in a row, Friday afternoon’s 21-14 victory over Hamilton might just as well have been the Super Bowl. Not only did it give the team some much-needed confidence, it also vaulted the Dolphins into a share of first place in the Western League. “I’m pleased as punch but we have a long way to go,” PaliHi Head Coach Kelly Loftus told his players in the team huddle after the game. “We have a long way to go and a statement to make.” Palisades had the worst record of any of the league’s six teams going into Friday’s opener. Now the Dolphins find themselves not at the bottom, but the top–and they intend to stay there. “Our new motto is ‘Keep it rolling,'”‘ Loftus said. “It starts at practice Monday through Thursday and hopefully carries over to Friday night.” Up next for the Dolphins is Fairfax (4-2), which also opened league play with a win. The junior varsity game kicks off at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity at 7 p.m. Just like it had at Reseda the week before, Palisades marched downfield for a touchdown on its opening drive Friday, setting the tone for a hard-hitting, physical game that was dominated by the defenses. “Getting that first score was huge because it showed we could play with them,” Loftus said. “Our offense got us the lead in the first half and our defense kept us in the lead in the second half. Even though we lost last week I thought we started playing better and that effort carried over to today.” Leading 21-7 at halftime, the Dolphins (2-4) forced a three-and-out on Hamilton’s first possession of the third quarter, but Pali’s offense was unable to capitalize. The Yankees’ defense also buckled down and when Joe Berman’s punt was blocked and recovered by Hamilton at Pali’s 24-yard-line early in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins’ lead looked in jeopardy. Their defense stiffened, however, and Hamilton turned the ball over on downs. “That was a huge turning point in the game,” Loftus said afterwards. “If they score there they get the momentum and anything can happen.” Hamilton (3-3) pulled to within a touchdown on a desperation 29-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds left, but Palisades recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.