Normally, the Palisades High football team would be starting its spring conditioning program right about now, not preparing to play a game, but this has not been a normal year.
Finally given the green light to commence with a season, albeit a shortened one, the Dolphins will scrimmage Hamilton this afternoon at 2 at Stadium by the Sea in a sort of dress rehearsal for next Friday night’s opener at Western League rival Venice.
“We have four games on the schedule, they’ll be keeping score and we’re going to try to win them,” Coach Tim Hyde said. “This mini season is almost like a giant spring camp. Ninety-nine percent of the kids are going to be the same ones coming back in the fall, so it’ll be a good chance to see what we have for what we hope will be a full season next school year.”
In addition to league games against Venice, Fairfax and Westchester, Hyde was able to arrange a nonleague home contest versus Garfield at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 24.
Teams in the City Section have until April 30 to complete their slate of games. There will be no section, regional or state playoffs. Also, Palisades will field only a varsity team—an inexperienced one at that.
“We’ll have more sophomores playing on offense than seniors,” Hyde said. “Instead of having seven months to prepare we’ll only have three weeks, so it’ll be a challenge.”
Hyde had been building his offense around returning quarterback Forrest Brock, but the senior unexpectedly transferred to City Open Division champion Birmingham.
Look for a preview in next week’s issue.
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