Bowling Over Granada Hills

Dolphins Defeat Rival Charter School for First Time in 21-0 Rout; Reseda up Next

It’s almost as if the first three games of the season were merely dress rehearsals for Palisades High’s varsity football team. Each was full of mistakes but there were also signs that the Dolphins were on the verge of a breakout performance. That finally came last Friday night in Charter Bowl III, the annual “grudge” game between the City Section’s two charter schools. Palisades came away with a 21-0 victory–by far the team’s most impressive win in Head Coach Kelly Loftus’ two seasons. “I felt last week the offense was starting to come together but this is the first time it really clicked,” said Pali quarterback Conner Preston, who threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns. “You’re never going to play a perfect game but that’s what you strive for. We had them off balance and controlled the line of scrimmage all night.” Palisades (2-2) got on the board early when Preon Morgan recovered a fumble at the Highlanders’ 31-yard line. Receiver Loren Artis caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Preston three plays later and Alex Anastasi kicked the extra point for a 7-0 Dolphins lead. Offensively, Khalid Stevens was an unstoppable force, rushing for 124 yards in 20 carries, including the Dolphins’ final score on a 4-yard run with 10 minutes left in the third quarter. Tyquion Ballard added 92 yards in just six carries and Joseph Hyman had four receptions for 86 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown catch midway through the second quarter. “Our offensive line was amazing,” Stevens said. “They [Granada] were bringing their linebackers up to stop the run, so there shouldn’t have been any holes but there were. I don’t know how our line did it but they deserve all the credit.” As good as the Dolphins looked on offense, however, they were even better on defense. The Highlanders (1-3) penetrated Palisades’ 20-yard line only twice, both drives ending on missed field goals by Chris Slagel. “Goose egg, fellas!” elated defensive line coach Ron Evans told his players in the post-game huddle. “That’s the best defense I’ve seen over here in five years.” The Dolphins’ pass rush pressured opposing quarterbacks Joe Moulton and Francisco Corletto for the full 48 minutes. Their tenacity was rewarded on Granada Hills’ opening possession of the second half when Moulton was hit as he threw and his pass wobbled into the arms of senior defensive lineman Bryce Williams, who rumbled to Granada Hills’ 10-yard line. “It’s a tribute to our offensive and defensive lines that we started to wear them down late in the game,” Loftus said. “Conner [Preston] played like he’s 18 and he just turned 16. The running game was great and the defense did a great job of containing their two running backs.” Palisades not only won the game, it got to keep the coveted Charter Bowl trophy for the first time. Granada Hills had won the first two contests by a combined score of 58-13. The one negative was 16 penalties for 170 yards. Pali had three scores nullified, including a 78-yard pass play from Preston to Hyman and a 48-yard scamper by Ballard. The frosh/soph team scored a late touchdown to nip the Highlanders, 21-14, improving to 3-1. The Dolphins host Reseda on Friday at Stadium by the Sea. F/S kicks off at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity at 7.