Pali Football Season Kicks Off Friday

Coach Perry Jones said there are no “free lunches” for the Palisades High football team this season. Every game is a challenge–starting with tomorrow night’s opener against Woodland Hills El Camino Real, which reached the City Section Division II finals last year. “They played [Newhall Hart] last Friday night and they are really big and really strong,” Jones said. “We definitely have our hands full. The key for us will be to control the ball on offense and keep their running back off the field because he’s capable of breaking a big run at any time.” El Camino Real’s Wing-T offense is led by Kawan Rally, who rushed for nearly 1,100 yards and scored 14 touchdowns as a sophomore last season. The Dolphins may not be able to completely shut down the Conquistadores’ running game, but containing in it is a must if they hope to emerge victorious. “Their offensive line is huge, so we’re going to have to come off the ball quick and tackle well,” Jones said. “If they score, we at least want to make them have to drive the length of the field. On defense, they like to attack and try to get the quarterback to speed up his throws.” Although El Camino Real lost its opener 21-7, it will come into Friday’s contest with a game under its belt, unlike the Dolphins. Jones, however, said Palisades’ scrimmage with Kilpatrick will better help his team deal with “first-game” jitters. “We ran 53 plays in our scrimmage, which is probably more plays than ECR had on offense all night,” said Jones, who scouted the game with fellow coaches. “They only attempted three passes but the bottom line is that team plays hard. The offensive and defensive lines are their strength.” In an effort to restore pride in the football program–the kind of pride that generated so much excitement back when he was a student there in the 1970s–Russ Howard, Palisades High’s assistant principal in charge of athletics, and the Quarterback Club have organized a “Football Fest” in the quad from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., leading up to the frosh/soph kickoff at 4 and the varsity kickoff at 7 p.m. under the lights at Stadium by the Sea. The PaliHi Marching Band will perform at 3 and again at 5:30 and varsity players will be on hand to meet and greet fans from 4 to 4:15. Volunteers are welcome for the dunk tank and discounted pre-sale tickets can be purchased. Week 1 Palisades (0-0) vs. El Camino Real (0-1) Friday @ Stadium by the Sea F/S Kickoff at 4 p.m. / Varsity at 7 p.m.