Despite the loss to Venice, Palisades quarterback Jack Thomas had an outstanding game.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Palisades High School football team came up short in a game that changed lead several times, and wasn’t decided until the last two seconds.
Although it was nearly 11 p.m. at the Stadium by the Sea on October 18, the stands were still packed for the homecoming and rivalry game to see who would be the victor.
“It was one of the most exciting endings to a football game I’ve seen,” said Palisadian-Post Sports reporter Steve Galluzzo, who has watched and reported on thousands of games.
With 3:21 left in the 4th quarter, the score was tied 38 to 38. Venice scored a touchdown and PAT to go up 7. The Gondoliers kicked off to Pali with 48 seconds left on the clock. From the Pali 45, Harrison Carter received a pass and ran it into the end zone. The score 44 to 45.
Pali went for two but quarterback Jack Thomas was blitzed by Venice.
Down by a point, with two seconds left on the clock the Dolphins did an onside kick, which they recovered. A field goal attempt from the 28 was not good and the game was over.
Afterwards, the coaches pointed out “We fought to the very end, but we beat ourselves.” Part of the problem was loss of yardage because of penalties: Palisades had 13 to the Venice Gondoliers 6 and lost 90 yards.
Palisades also had three turnovers, an interception and two fumbles.
The beginning of the game looked promising because the Dolphins scored first – only two minutes into the game. A handoff from quarterback Thomas to Harrison Carter saw him run from the Palisades 27 to 43. A long pass from Thomas to LeHenry Solmon put the the ball on the Venice 10. A second quick pass and the Dolphin were on the one. Thomas went over the top and Dolphins had their first touchdown. Venice responded two minutes later.
During the game, Thomas threw for 390 yards and four touchdowns. He also had two rushing touchdowns.
King Demethris had 126 passing yards and one touchdown, scoring early in the first quarter. Max Hejazi had 68 yards and a touchdown.
Kicker Jack Malloy attempted and made five PATs. In the second quarter, the Dolphins had moved the ball to the Venice 18. On fourth down, Malloy attempted a field goal, but a penalty, false start, moved the ball back, and the subsequent attempt was blocked by Venice. With less than a minute before the half, Malloy attempted a 29-yard-field-goal, which was successful.
Seniors Jake Treibatch and Cash Allen led in tackles, 13 and 11 respectively.
Handling the kickoff returns, for Pali are King Demethris, LeHenry Solomon and Harrison Carter. They usually sail past the defenders, sprinting up the field. With the Santa Ana winds, most of the kickoffs went into the end zone, which meant Palisades had to start on the 20.
Head Coach Dylen Thomas before the game.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Dolphin Head Coach Dylen Smith said after the game that penalties and failing to execute plays resulted in the loss. “We just got to make the plays,” he said. He emphasized to players that practice was the most important thing.
The lesson coaches reiterated to players after the games was “don’t make excuses. You need to come together. Be a team.”
After the coaches spoke, the players huddled, talked about the game, and then individually, one by one, players came over to pay respects to the head coach.
Overall Palisades is 6-2. On October 25, they play at University High, which is 2-6 and lost to Venice 42-0. The Dolphins return home to play Hamilton for senior night on November 1.