Former PaliHi Football players Carl Hill and Carter Harrington reminisce at the Class of ’64 Reunion that was held at the Quad. All classes were welcomed to come share memories.
By STEWART SLAVIN
Palisades High School football team traveled to Harvard Westlake on September 20, defeating them soundly 33-13.
The next day, football was again the topic when the Class of 1964 celebrated their 60th reunion at a picnic at the Palisades High School Quad. The class invited all alums to come share the celebration and memories.
Carl Hill, Pali Class of ‘76, chatted with Carter Harrington, Class of ‘64.
In 1974, Hill was at Pali when the varsity football team played for the city championship at the Memorial Coliseum with Dick North and Merritt Stanfield as coaches. A year later, Hill was a Western League first team linebacker.
Before 12,747 fans at the Coliseum on December 14, 1974, San Fernando High squeezed out a tense, exciting 12-10 victory over Palisades High to capture the city football title. The outcome was in doubt until the final gun.
“I went to the game,” said Carter, a star fullback and defensive end of the ‘62 and ‘63 Pali varsity teams. “I was so proud of Palisades High School and our class that dug the holes to plant the seeds of Friday Night Lights.” The Class of ‘64 took part in Pali’s very first football season in the fall of 1961.
Of the reunion picnic on the Pali quad, Carter, a former Top Gun Navy fighter pilot, said: “We all had a more quiet time, one-on-one sharing thoughts, memories and appreciation of each other. Connecting our Dots … and for me I got to know people that I didn’t know growing up together. It’s what our world needs now. Coming together. Connecting our Dots. And realizing we are the same.”