Palisades High head football coach Kelly Loftus had a surprise in store for his players at the team’s pre-game meal at Gladstone’s Friday afternoon. He announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the season. “We were determined to get coach that 11th game (meaning the playoffs),” junior wide receiver/defensive back Lawrence Villasenor said. “That’s what we wanted to do.” A victory last Friday, coupled with another in tomorrow’s season finale would likely have been enough to secure a City Division II playoff berth for the Dolphins–and at least the first part of the equation nearly happened. Despite being a heavy underdog, Palisades stood toe-to-toe with Hamilton for 48 minutes but fell one point short, 28-27, on homecoming night at Stadium by the Sea. Still, it was a marked improvement from the Dolphins’ previous two home games, in which they were outscored 55-0. “I’m so proud of our effort today,” Loftus said. “That’s the best team Hamilton has had in years. I thought if we could out-hit them and out-think them, we’d win. We out-hit them, we just made one too many mistakes.” The biggest gaffe was a bobbled snap on a go-ahead 34-yard field goal attempt by Palisades kicker Alex Anastasi late in the fourth quarter. Holder Kevin Mann was forced to run around left end for the first down but was tackled well short. The Yankees (7-2 overall, 3-1 in league) took possession and ran out the clock. Earlier, Hamilton’s Aaron Wallen got around the edge and blocked Anastasi’s point-after attempt that would’ve tied the game with 9:55 left. “Compared to where we were eight weeks ago, we’re a much better football team,” Loftus said. “For one thing, we’re healthier than we’ve been all year. Given that we have so many kids going both ways, that makes a huge difference.” Joe Brandon and Malcolm Creer each rushed 13 times, with Creer gaining a season-high 163 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown that tied the game, 21-21, in the third quarter. Brandon added 127 yards and two touchdowns, including a 4-yarder for Palisades’ final score. Quarterback Branden Sanett completed 6 of 10 passes for 96 yards, including a 42-yard strike to Jeremy Smith. The Dolphins (1-8, 1-3) used a bit of trickery to close within 21-14 late in the first half. Wide receiver Preon Morgan lined up behind center, rolled right and broke three tackles for a 4-yard touchdown with 2:07 left in the first half. Defensively, Max Smith and Casey Jordan made 11 tackles apiece and Devyn Reyes added 10. Villasenor and Aaron Ussery each recovered a fumble and Juan Climaco had nine tackles and a sack. “Max [Smith], [Juan] Climaco and Bladimir Martinez were in on a lot of plays,” Loftus said. “They really anchored our defense tonight.” The Dolphins travel to Fairfax for their season finale Friday. Fairfax got the benefit of a controversial call to beat Palisades, 39-35, last season. The frosh/soph game kicks off at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity at 7. Frosh/Soph The Dolphins dominated right from the opening kickoff, getting the homecoming crowd revved up for the following varsity game with a 44-8 victory. Malachi Beasley caught a 40-yard touchdown pass on the third play from scrimmage and later added a 60-yard scoring catch. Jack Jordan scored on a 60-yard reverse and a 50-yard touchdown reception, Jauan Tate scored on a 4-yard quarterback keeper and Eric Jackson returned a fumbled 30 yards for another score for Palisades (7-2, 3-1).
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