Perhaps the Dolphins should play after a short week more often. Showing no signs of weariness despite one less day between games, the Palisades High varsity football team routed South Gate 38-0 last Thursday night– the 36th shutout in school history and second in three seasons under Head Coach Leo Castro. “Everyone I talked to said [South Gate] was undersized up front,” Castro said. “So I figured we’d run right at them and see if they could stop us.” Having dispatched the Rams (0-4), Palisades can now look forward to Charter Bowl I–the first annual clash between the City Section’s two charter schools–Friday night at Granada Hills’ artificial turf field. “This game coming up is a big deal,” PaliHi Offensive Coordinator Aarron Castro addressed his players after Thursday’s game. “They made a trophy and the winner gets to keep it for a year so we’ve got to go take it.” Other than 90 yards in penalties, Palisades (2-1) gave nothing to South Gate. Robert Gillett rushed for 95 yards in eight carries and caught a five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Raymond Elie. Dajuan Cofield added 70 yards and one touchdown in nine carries before spraining an ankle and sitting out the second half. Evan Hairston ran for 44 yards in 10 carries and Miles Nelson added 35 yards in seven carries, including Pali’s final touchdown on a five-yard run with 2:52 remaining in the fourth quarter. “The running game was there all night,” Gillett said. “The draw was wide open and I was able to break a few long ones. We didn’t put 38 points on the board once last year so this is huge.” Elie rushed for 56 yards and two touchdowns and had another touchdown called back on a penalty. Even more impressive, though, was his anticipation on the other side of the ball. Pali’s secondary intercepted four passes–two by Ealy and one each by Robert Sims and Cofield. “I just read the quarterback’s eyes and broke on the ball,” Ealy said of his interceptions. “That’s all I could do. I almost had a couple more.” Cofield had his ankle taped at halftime with the Dolphins leading 28-0. Backup quarterback Michael Latt played most of the second half and attempted two passes, both of which were incomplete. “I’m disappointed that I couldn’t play more but I’m happy that the subs got in,” Cofield said. “It’s always great to put up some points but I’m happier that it was a donut. I’m more proud of the fact that they didn’t score.” Even kicker Joe Berman contributed to the scoring spree, booting a career-long 43-yard field goal in the third quarter. Friday’s frosh/soph game will kick off at 4 p.m. at Granada Hills, followed by the varsity game at 7 p.m.
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