Dolphins “Spooked” by Venice

Palisades Football Falls to Rival 42-15; Plays Uni in Homecoming Game Friday

Palisades High football coach Kelly Loftus didn’t have to wait for Halloween to watch a horror movie this year. The film of last Thursday night’s 42-15 loss to Venice was worthy of an “R” rating’ and he saw the uncensored version. “We got out-hit, out-played and out-hungered,” Loftus said. “When you don’t bring your ‘A’ game against a good team that’s what happens.” The Dolphins had no tricks but plenty of treats for Venice, which capitalized on each and every mistake its opposition made. The nightmare started on the opening kickoff when J.R. McConaco broke to the outside and raced 87 yards for the Gondos’ first touchdown. Palisades’ fortunes went from bad to worse when running back Tyquion Ballard got popped on the first play from scrimmage and didn’t return. Receiver Joseph Hyman tried to play the first series but he, too, was sidelined for the game. Punter Casey Jordan also went down with an injury. “Losing some of our key guys didn’t help but we still didn’t respond to adversity as well as we should have,” Loftus said. “The important thing for us now is to realize the season isn’t over. We still have a lot to play for.” Venice scored with frightening ease on each of its first three possessions, building an insurmountable 28-0 bulge less than 13 minutes into the game. Khalid Stevens provided the Dolphins’ lone highlight of the first half, bursting through the line for a 60-yard touchdown that pulled Palisades within 21 points early in the second quarter. However, the Gondos answered with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Alfonso Medina to Jonathan McNeal and took a 35-7 lead into halftime. Facing a fearsome blitz all game, sophomore quarterback Conner Preston stood in the pocket and completed 21 of 33 passes for 186 yards, including a 25-yard scoring strike to Stevens with 1:08 remaining in the game. Stevens rushed for 138 yards and Preon Morgan stepped in for Hyman to make nine catches for 70 yards. Loren Artis added five receptions for 45 yards and Tanqueray Towns had three for 24 yards. * * * * * * The Palisades High varsity football team couldn’t have hand-picked a better opponent for Friday’s homecoming game at Stadium by the Sea. The Dolphins will try to rebound from last Friday’s Western League loss to Venice when they host cellar-dweller University Friday at 7 p.m. It is the last home game of the season for Palisades, which finishes with an afternoon game at Hamilton next week. Palisades (4-4, 1-2) is tied for third in league and must win its last two games to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Wildcats (1-7, 0-3) have scored only 13 points in three league games.