Palisades Head football coach Dylen Smith spoke to players after the game.
Going into the October 17 game played at Santa Monica College, the Palisades High School Dolphins were clear favorites over the University Wildcats. But the Dolphins struggled until the final minute of the game. The win could have gone either way.
The score was 19 to 17 in Pali’s favor, but the Dolphins missed a fourth down conversion on University’s 40-yard line with 2:50 left in the games and the Wildcats took over.
All the Dolphins defense had to do was hold University. But . . .they didn’t and the Wildcats moved to the Palisade six-yard line with 1:04 left in the game.
Then the Dolphins got lucky, Uni fumbled and PaliHi’s Adrian Romero, a sophomore recovered with 49 seconds left. It was a must-have play to keep the Dolphins 8-0 and to go nine in a row against the Wildcats.
Afterwards Coach Dylen Smith told players “You deserved to win, but you got very lucky.
“The margin of error gets smaller and smaller, and you’ll have to ramp it up,” Smith said.
University played a running game, which ate time off the clock. The Wildcats scored first with a field goal, from the 20, with four minutes left in the first quarter.
Pali responded with a touchdown by Demare Dezeurn and sophomore kicker Carter Schwartz made the PAT. Dezeurn, a junior, who was third in state in the 100-meter run, is fast with exceptional athleticism. In this game, he is credited with 51 receiving yards and one rushing touchdown.
Palisades third touchdown came from junior Malachi Ross, who picked up 107 receiving yards.
But Pali’s rhythm was off. The usually dependable and accurate quarterback Jack Thomas fumbled and threw an interception. According to sportswriter Steve Galluzzo, this was only Thomas third of the year.
Usually, PaliHi’s passing and running game is impressive to watch. But players struggled. Both teams had 19 first downs.
After the game, the coach was asked about the playing difference against University, who acknowledged at a solid defense.
“There were lots of mistakes,” Smith said. He told CTN that he had been sick the entire week and so had a lot of his players including his quarterback. “We couldn’t get our rhythm offensively.” He made it clear that this wasn’t an excuse, but the reality of what they were working with. “We got lucky,” he said.
Long-time coach Bud Kling was honored prior to the homecoming game.
Prior to the game, long-time coach Bud Kling was honored. Kling, the schools tennis coach has overseen Dolphin players for 48 years and will retire after this year. He also served as the head JV football coach from 1977-78, with a 19-0-1 record.
Among his tennis coaching accomplishments: CHS Hall of Fame, CIF LA City Athletic Hall of Fame, Southern California Sports Hall of Fame, City, State, & Western States Coach of the Year, Finalist National Coach of the Year and 52 CIF LA City Section Team Championships.
Palisades is 3-0 in the Western League, with two league games left. Next up is Hamilton at 7 p.m. on October 24, and the following Friday, senior night, against Fairfax will be played at SoFi Stadium.
Representing PaliHi Alumni, Sam Lagana presented the game ball to officials.