Football Scores Early and Often in 36-8 Triumph over University

By STEVE GALLUZZO |Sports Editor

There was no emotional letdown for the Palisades High varsity football team last Friday night at University. The Dolphins took all the frustrations from the previous week’s hardfought loss to archrival Venice out on the Wildcats and the result was a 36-8 victory that clinched third place in the Western League.

Alex Vaupen scored on touchdown runs of 11 and 36 yards and caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Hayes. Hayes and Dakotah Hamilton also ran for scores and Will Janney made a tackle in the end zone for a safety and had an interception, his fourth this year.

“My first two touchdowns were on jet sweeps—the first was good blocking, the second I cut it back inside,” Vaupen  said. “On the last one I was wide open. It was one of the easiest I’ve ever scored.”

Three JV players saw varsity action for the first time. Will Clifford ran 19 yards for a first down,  Kaalan Day carried four times for six yards and Jared LaViolette had two assisted tackles at cornerback.

Hamilton gained 107 yards in 10 carries—the sixth time this season he has run for 100+ yards. Sy Riley had 10 tackles, Cole Aragon recovered a fumble and Campbell Geddes kicked three PATs.