The Palisades High School Football team is 6-1 on the season.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
The Palisades High School football team defeated the Westchester Comets at home, 42-34, improving their record to 6-1 for the season and 2-0 in league play. On October 18, they face Venice at Stadium by the Sea for homecoming weekend.
Head coach Dylen Smith said after the game “We came out fast and they had to play catch up.”
He praised his team, “They did a great job.” And admitted that Westchester was tough, played and passed well, and “caught us off guard,” but the team effort, defensively and offensively made the difference. “It was a team effort.”
And he pointed out that the teams in the Western League (Westchester, Fairfax, Venice, University and Hamilton) “are itching to beat us, so we have to be our best.”
After a kickoff to Westchester, two plays later Palisades’ Connor Petoyan intercepted a pass on the Palisades 47-yard line and ran it in for a touchdown. Kicker Jack Malloy would make the first of his six PATS, and two minutes into the game the Dolphins were up 7-0.
With 18 seconds left in the first quarter, the Comets scored but were unable to convert for an extra point.
With seconds left, there was still time in the first quarter for Pali’s Lehenry A. Solomon to take a kickoff return 78 yards ending the first quarter 14-6.
Palisades added two touchdowns in the second, the first a 20-yard pass to Solomon and the second came with a pass to Max Hejazi from the 45-yard line.
In the third, a run by Thomas, put the Dolphins up with the score 35-14 and it appeared the Dolphins were on the brink of a victory. But Westchester, led by quarterback Jayden Hightower fought back with 20 points in the fourth quarter.
Palisades added their final score in the fourth with a pass from Thomas to Harrison Carter.
Quarterback Jack Thomas threw for 225 yards for three touchdowns and rushed for 39 yards and touchdown. Carter would have 75 rushing yards, and 80 receiving yards.
Defensively, Juniors Nico Townsley had four solo tackles and five assists, and Petoryan had five solo tackles and four assists. J. Bucher-Leighton recorded a sack against Westchester.
Pali’s quarterback Jack Thomas is credited with 225 passing yards. Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN