Roosevelt players couldn’t catch Lehenry Solomon as he sprinted the length of the football field to score Pali’s first TD.
Photo: Rich Schmitt/CTN
The Palisades High School football team wasted no time in putting points on the scoreboard. They were up 7 to 0 in the first 10 seconds of the game.
On the opening kickoff, Dolphin sophomore Lehenry Solomon, received the ball and ran 90 yards for a touchdown. It would be the first of six touchdowns and six PATs thanks to Pali kicker Kellen Ford. in the game.
Palisades defensive unit stepped in and halted the Rough Riders at team’s own 45 yard line, forcing them to punt.
The Dolphins offense, led by senior quarterback Roman La Scala, started their drive on the 10-yard line. La Scala completed a pass to Braydon Sanford, moving the ball 20 yards down the field.
Another pass was completed when senior Jaden Williams, 6’2” athletically leapt into the air and caught the ball with one hand. That completion put the Dolphins on the 50.
On the next play, La Scala handed the ball to junior Teralle Watson, who dodged defenders to take the ball into the endzone for the Dolphins second touchdown. Five minutes left in the first quarter and the Dolphins were up 14-0.
After a kickoff, the Rough Riders suffered another setback when a fumble was recovered by Dolphin sophomore Isaiah Sensabugh. He made a 60-yard run down the sideline for Pali’s third TD. Ford’s PAT was good and with two minutes left in the first quarter, Pali led 21-0.
After Roosevelt turned the ball over on downs La Scala handed the ball to sophomore Harrison Carter who ran 58 yards for a touchdown. Palisades was up 28-0 with 6:28 left in the second quarter.
Roosevelt once again was halted by the Pali defense and the Dolphins took over on downs on its own 17. After gaining yardage with runs, La Scala threw a pass, but interference was called on the Rough Riders. The penalty moved the ball to the Dolphin’s 42-yard line.
La Scala threw a pass to sophomore Harrison Carter, who ran it to the goal, scoring Pali’s fourth touchdown.
Quarterback Roman La Scala throws a touchdown pass.
Photo: Rich Schmitt/CTN
Roosevelt scored its first touchdown late in the second quarter, after gaining some yards when Palisades was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Rough Riders two-point conversion failed.
Palisades scored late in the first half when LaScala hit Braydon Sanford in the back of the end zone for a 12-yeard touchdown.
Rowan Flynn recovered a fumble for Pali.
Photo: Rich Schmitt/CTN
Roosevelt’s troubles continued when the team fumbled on its first drive of the second half and junior Rowan Flynn recovered for Palisades at the 44. The offensive team took the field again and LaScala found Sanford in the end zone for a TD.
In the fourth quarter, Roosevelt went 60 yards, methodically running plays and making first downs, until they were able to cap a three-yard TD. This time the two-point conversion was good.
The final score was 42-14 and Pali is now 2-0 for the season.
“It was a good win for us,” head coach Dylen Smith told CTN after the game. “Historically Roosevelt is good team.”
Pali’s first-year coach also praised his team for their play and focus. “We didn’t beat ourselves, tonight.,” Smith said. “There weren’t a lot of penalties, not a lot of fumbles.”
He told his team, “We can’t stop, we can’t slow down.”
This Thursday, August 31, the Dolphins face Granda Hills, in the Charter Bowl, a nonconference game at 7 p.m. at Stadium by the Sea.
Freshman Shilo Beavers carries the ball for a Pali first down.
Photo: Rich Schmitt/CTN
The JV team, in its second win this season, beat Roosevelt 33-6.
Los Angeles Times Sports writer Eric Sondheimer wrote on August 27 that “When it comes to City Section football, Birmingham still remains the team to beat. The Patriots are No. 1 in City Section rankings produced by The Times.”
According to the Times, Palisades is ranked 9th. :
- BIRMINGHAM (1-1)
- SAN PEDRO (1-0)
- BANNING (2-0)
- CARSON (2-0)
- GARFIELD (1-1)
- FRANKLIN (0-1-1)
- VENICE (1-1)
- CLEVELAND (2-0)
- PALISADES (2-0)
- EAGLE ROCK (0-1)