By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Before last Friday afternoon’s scrimmage against El Camino Real, Palisades High varsity football coach Tim Hyde promised to let his quarterbacks “air it out” and see what happens.
That’s exactly what the Dolphins did and they ended up scoring four passing touchdowns in their dress rehearsal for tomorrow’s Friday Night Lights.
“It felt good to get out there against another team,” said Pali High wide receiver Cameron Bailey, who had three touchdown catches in his very first varsity action after a standout season on JV last fall. “I had to get used to the speed because it’s way faster than JV. We still need to work on getting back in formation faster, keep beating the corners and doing what we do best.”
Each team was given three series of 12 downs, starting at the 40-yard line. Palisades’ offense took the field first and capped a 10-play drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Gabe Galef to Innocent Okoh.
ECR answered with an eight-play drive, scoring on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. The Conquistadores marched to the 1-yard line on their second possession as well, but safety Aaron Butler made a one-handed interception in the end zone for a touchback.
Photo: Craig Weston
Galef’s ensuing 2-yard scoring throw to Bailey put Palisades ahead, then Bailey snuck behind the defense to cath a spiral from Tommy Beattie in stride from 40 yards out. The two connected again on a 35-yard pass for the Dolphins’ final score.
“The first one was a quick toss from Gabe for an easy walk-in and Tommy threw it deep on two skinny posts, so props to them,” Bailey said. “I also got to play a little on defense, so it was fun.”
Palisades opens the season Friday against private school juggernaut Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth and Galef admitted the gameplan will be totally different.
“The schemes that we ran today aren’t the same as what we’ll use for Sierra Canyon, but we have to believe we can make plays if we all take care of our assignments.”
ECR scored twice on passes in its final series of downs against Palisades’ third string, but overall Hyde liked what he saw.
“Our goal was to get a lot of plays on film and we got almost a game’s worth on both offense and defense, we had great energy, great fundamentals and we got everyone in,” Hyde said. “As I told the kids, there are no starters, it’s just the next man in and making plays no matter who’s out there.”
On Saturday, Galef, Butler and senior offensive guard/defensive tackle Jimmy Reyes were all ecstatic when they found out they had been chosen team captains.
Photo: Steve Galluzzo
“It’s an honor and it means a lot because our teammates voted for us,” Galef said. “You want to lead by example but someone has to be vocal as well and I’ve been charged with that responsibility.”
“Keeping everyone close and keep all of the linemen in line is my job,” Reyes added.
Butler is both a wide receiver and safety and sees his role as one of leadership.
“The secondary–those are my guys–and I want to give them the confidence to play their best.”
While the varsity teams werescrimmaging on one side of the 50-yard line, the JV squads were scrimmaging on the other half and Pali High Coach Ray Marsden was pleased with his starters.
“We scored three touchdowns–all running–and we got two picks on defense,” he said. “We’re the defending league champions and that’s always the goal, but if you were to ask me if I’d take 8-2 right now I’d have to say ‘no.’ I think we can do better.”
Pali High’s JV team hosts Sierra Canyon in its season opener at 4 p.m. today at Stadium by the Sea.
(Continued on Page 12)
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