The annual Palisadian-Post Football Contest, giving readers a chance to predict upcoming game winners, continues to week two.

“Every week, the Palisadian-Post will have a selection of NFL and college football games,” according to the contest rules. “Check the team you predict will win each game. The person with the most correct picks wins. In the event there is a tie, the tie-breaker will be used to determine the winner.”

There is an online submission process: Contestants can download or copy their entry form, fill in their picks, take a photo, and email it back to footballcontest@palipost.com by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline. This week’s deadline is Friday, October 25, at 5 p.m.

One entry per person per contest will be accepted. Winners will receive a $10 gift card from our contest sponsor, The Yogurt Shoppe, via email. Last week’s winner was Charles Ryan (+7, FLORIDA)

Dolphins Battle to the Final Second but Fall to Archrival Venice 45-44 in a Western League Thriller on Homecoming

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

There was little the coaches of the Palisades High football team could do to console their players after last Friday night’s homecoming game against Venice. The Dolphins left everything they had on the field came up one point short in one of the most thrilling games in the history of a rivalry dating back to 1961, the year Pali High opened There were five ties and four lead changes as the momentum swung back and forth for 48 frenzied minutes, until one last field goal try with one second left failed , allowing the Gondoliers to escape with a 45-44 victory.

“We certainly had our chances but we made mistakes at critical times and the turnovers combined with all the penalties were too much to overcome,” said head coach Dylen Smith, who suffered the agony of defeat after experiencing the thrill of victory in his first taste of the rivalry last fall, when the Dolphins clinched the league title with a 28-24 win on the Gondos’ home field.

The 58th meeting between the teams was a gem, though early on it looked like the heavily-favored Dolphins were on their way to a blowout. Quarterback Jack Thomas hit LeHenry Solomon on a bomb to the Venice 10-yard line on the  third play from scrimmage and two snaps later Thomas snuck it in from one yard out, Jack Malloy’s extra point  made it 7-0 just over two minutes into the contest. However, the Gondos needed only six plays to respond, the last a 20-yard pass from Jaiden Noel to Malachi Brown that was followed by London Webster’s point-after to tie it 7-7. After the teams exchanged punts Palisades began its third drive at its own 10 and proceeded to march the length of the field in seven plays, moving back in front on a 43-yard strike from Thomas to wide receiver King Demethris. Venice went three-and-out  on its next series and Palisades moved from its own 2 to deep in Venice territory, but a penalty forced the Dolphins to settle for a 41-yard field goal try and Malloy’s kick was blocked by defensive lineman Hector Lopez. Palisades forced another punt and took over at its own 12. This time the Dolphins drove to the Venice 12 and on the 12th play of the drive Malloy nailed a 29-yard field goal to make it 17-7 with 52 seconds left in the second quarter.              

Venice switched to its no-huddle offense and drove from its own 25 into field goal range, but Webster’s 23-yard attempt hooked wide right as time expired and the Dolphins headed to their locker room with a comfortable 17-7 lead.

“We moved the ball and mixed it up pretty well,” Smith said. “I was satisfied with the first half.”

Venice used the long intermission  to talk things over and came out on fire in the second half. Noel found Nathan Santa Cruz in the end zone on a five-yard touchdown pass to cut the Gondos’ deficit to three and they tied it on Webster’s 26 yard field goal on their next possession after recovering a fumble at Palisades’ 6.

Grandison Johnson made a leaping interception to give Venice the ball back near midfield—only Thomas’ second interception all season—and the Gondos took their first lead three minutes later when Noel hit Santa Cruz in stride on a 35-yard seam route to make it 24-17.

After a touchback, Harrison Carter rumbled to the Gondos’ 2-yard line and Thomas’ keeper on the next play, followed by Malloy’s PAT, tied it again. Palisades’ defense forced another punt and the Dolphins regained the lead on their next drive when Thomas hit Max Hejazi wide open over the middle for a 52-yard touchdown with 21 seconds left in the third quarter.

Venice tied it 31-31 on Joshua Aaron’s 31-yard run and after forcing another fumble and recovering at their own 46 the Gondos marched  54 yards in six plays, scoring on a three-yard pass from Noel to Brown with 5:43 left.

On Palisades’ next drive, Thomas hit Ricardo Martin on back-to-back passes to reach the Venice 8. On the next play, a pass was batted in the air and Thomas alertly caught his own pass and scooted into the end zone. Malloy’s kick tied it 38-38 with 3:21 left in the fourth quarter.

Venice used short passes and runs to move from its own 30 to Palisades’ 20, where Noel swung a pass to Aaron in the flat and he raced to the goal line for a go-ahead score with 48 seconds left.

After a short kickoff return the Dolphins took possession at their own 25 with 41 ticks left and Thomas hit Hejazi and Demethris for short gains to the Palisades 39 after which  the Dolphins called timeout. Two incompletions and a six-yard down-and-out stopped the clock with 12 seconds left. Palisades had the ball at its own 46 and the stage was set for what will be remembered as one of the most unbelievable plays in Palisades football history. Thomas rolled right to buy time and fired a pass 30 yards downfield in the direction of Harrison Carter. Two defenders collided while going for the ball and fell to the turf as Carter leaped high in the air to make the grab, turned upfield and sprinted 54 yards for a touchdown with two seconds left on the clock.

Smith opted to go for two but Venice blitzed, disrupting the play that was called. While being dragged down, Thomas flipped the ball in the air to avoid the sack but it was picked off by Aaron at the 5-yard line  and Gondos players ran off the field as if the game was over. It was not.

“It was a play we ran a lot in the beginning of the year,” Smith said. “It was what they wanted to run and was going to be a quick route to LeHenry but they were in on Jack immediately and there wasn’t really much he could do.”

However, Palisades set up for the kickoff and Malloy sent a high arching ball over the Gondos’ front wall. At first, the Venice players seemed to forget it was a live ball and by the time they did and tried to grab it, Augie Evans had swooped in and pounced on the prize with one second left on the clock, giving the Dolphins one last stab at victory. However, the Gondos penetrated into the backfield at the snap and Malloy’s 37-yard field goal try was low and veered to the left, dying well short of the end zone.

“It was a heck of a game and it feels good to win here after what happened last year,” Venice head coach Angela Gasca said. “At hafltime we were behind but we felt we could win if we changed a few things. It’s always a battle with those guys.”

Noel threw for 314 yards and five scores for Venice (4-4 overal, 3-0 in league), which improved to 31-26-1 head to head against Palisades, which had won five of the previous eight meetings.

Thomas completed 22 of 40 passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns (one to himself) and ran for two more scores.  Demethris had seven receptions for 126 yards, Hejazi had four grabs for 68 yards, Solomon had three catches for 50 yards and  Martin had three for 49. Carter rushed  16 times for 138 yards and added 80 yards  on kick returns.

Linebacker Jake Treibatch had 13 tackles, Cash Allen had 11 and Connor Petoyan had seven. Ethan Nazarian deflected three passes and Jackson Kaufman deflected two.

Penalties proved costly as the Dolphins were flagged 12 times for 90 yards.

The result was even more gutwrenching than Palisades’ overtime defeat to Brentwood on Sept 13. The Dolphins (6-2, 2-1) have lost two games by a total of four points, but Smith reminded his players there are still two games left, starting tomorrow night at University. Palisades wraps up the regular season Nov. 1 when it hosts Hamilton on Senior Night.      

“There are two games left before playoffs and we need to practice as had as we can,” Smith reminded his troops. “Consistency is the sign of a good program.”

Venice plays Fairfax next and hosts Westchester in its league finale. If the Comets win it could create a three-way tie for first.     

*** Click on any photo below to view slide show ***

Palisades High Boys Water Polo Stays on Track to Continue City Dynasty

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Goals came by the bucketful last Thursday at Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center and by the time Palisades High players left the pool deck they had notched another easy league win in a season that they hope will culminate with a 12th consecutive City championship.     

The Dolphins scored early and often against LACES, building an 8-1  lead by the end of the first quarter. It was 13-3 by halftime and 20-5 at the final buzzer, as everyone in blue speedo and cap got a chance to play and contribute to the victory. 

Sophomore attacker Jack Gallagher led the charge by netting six goals and senior co-captain Charlie Speiser, whose older brothers Sammy and Maximo helped forge a dynasty he and his current teammates are trying to keep alive, added three goals. Sophomore Oliver Ghiassi and senior Leo Debeljak each tallied twice and also getting on the scoresheet were   Hudson Mirzadeh, Ben Mokhtar, Sean Ellis, Ilan Ahdout, Jonah Isackson, Sherwin Hazany and Ian White. Senior co-captain Logan Mirzadeh made the necessary saves in goal.    

The last obstacle between the Dolphins and another perfect season in league comes today against visiting San Pedro, which played Palisades tough in an 11-8 defeat in the teams’ first meeting October 7. After that, the Dolphins begin their quest to retain the City trophy that has been their property since their title streak started in 2012. 

 The Dolphins have not suffered a postseason loss since Cleveland beat them in the quarterfinals in 2011, the year the program was re-instated by coach Adam Blakis. Since then, they have strung together 11 straight titles, the second-longest active title streak in any sport in the City behind Palisades’ boys tennis team, which has won 15 straight dating back to 2009.

Paul Revere Middle School will be staging its annual 5K Fun Run on campus on Saturday, November 2.  The organizers are opening up the event to the whole Palisades community this year, rather than just Revere students.  It will be a Famil Fun Run with a DJ, T-shirts and prize giveaways.

The entry fee is $25, which includes a raffle ticket.  The race will serve as both a fundraising event as well as a community event, as it opens up the Revere campus on Allenford to the community, since many Palisades residents attend the public school, which serves as the feeder school to Palisades High.   

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. on the day of the event and the 3.1 mile run starts promptly at 8:30.

Prizes will be awarded to the four fastest runners, the participant with the best individual costume and to the best family costume. Cosutmes are encouraged but are only optional. Runners are encouraged to arrive early.  Parking is available onsite or on streets in the surrounding neighborhood. This is not an official timed event.    

Revere fields many successful teams, including basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, flag football and cross country in addtion to its P.E.P. After School Personal Enrichment Program.

The 10th annual Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot returns to Palisades Charter High School on Thanksgiving Day, November 28. The holiday 5K and 10K event will start promptly at 8 a.m. and is expected to draw 2,200 participants and 2,500 spectators across Pacific Palisades in what has become a fun, family community tradition dating back to 2013.

This year’s race will feature the same course routes participants have come to expect. Each runner will receive a complimentary swag bag containing an event t-shirt, a chip-timed bib and other gift items. Results will be posted shortly after the race at www.paliturkeytrot.com/results

Packet pick-up will be at the Swarthmore Room at Palisades Village in the three days leading up to the event—Monday (Nov. 25), Tuesday (Nov. 26) and Wednesday (Nov.27).

Event organizers strongly urge runners to come to Palisades Village one of those days to pick up their gear early to avoid lines on Thanksgiving morning. Street closures will be in place from from 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The race will start and finish at the 50-yard line at Stadium by the Sea.

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Karate mom Gracy Llana added more trophies to her growing collection last weekend, but more than the hardware what satisfied her most last Sunday was being able to watch her dojo “kids”compete—and win—at the International Martial Arts Council (IMAC) Open at Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles.

Since she started taking karate lessons at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center about 17 months ago, Llana has entered numerous competitons and has never left empty-handed.

The 50-something blue belt took first place in Traditional Kata, Muiscal Kata,Weapons and Sparring and received a 9.98 score from one of the judges in a kata that she learned in less than a month thanks to her mentor and friend Tamar Springer, a longtime black belt and instructor at Blanck’s studio.

“I’m usually all by myself at these tournaments so it was great being able to see my fellow students compete this time,” Lllana said. “I’m so grateful for Tamar. I never could’ve learned that fast without her.”

Black belt Ben Zamel, a fifth-grader at Marquez Elementary, has been training at Blanck’s studio for seven years and took home first-place trophies in Traditional Forms and Traditional Weapons. “Sais are my favorite,”the 10-year-old said.

Taking third in Forms was 10-year-old blue belt Eden Savoian at Bay Laurel Elementary in Calabasas. “It was about as hard as I thought it would be,” she said.      

Seven-year-old yellow belt Ryder Factor, a first grader at Corpus Christi, was second in Sparring and third in Forms. “It was my first tournament but I wasn’t nervous, said Factor, who has trained with Blanck since he was 3.

Eight-year-old brown belt Grayson Heydenrich, now in third grade at St. Matthew’s, was first in Forms, second in Sparring: “It was easier than I thought. I like Forms best.” 

*** Click on any photo below to view slideshow *** 

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Pro soccer player Kaitlyn Parcell is tearing it up on the pitch for her Fortuna Hjorring team, which sits in second place in the Denmark Women’s Premier League (Gjensidige Kvindeliga Division 1) and has also advanced to the quarterfinals of the Denmark Cup (analogous to England’s FA Cup).

Two weeks ago, Parcell played all 90 minutes in a 6-0 victory in a Cup contest and another full 90 three days later in a league match in which she contributed two assists from her left outside back position. Fortuna last played on Sunday, winning 4-0, and after an International Team break this weekend, will play the first place team in the league (FC Nordsjaelland) in what will likely determine the league championship.

“We’ve only had three goals scored against us so we’ve done a good job defensively and that starts from the front line to the midfield to the back line so I think we’ve worked well together as a team and hopefully we can keep that going,” Parcell said when interviewed last week. “We’re all just excited for an an opportunity to hopefully get another win.”   

After two seasons with MSV Duisburg in the German Bundesliga, the Palisades High alum wanted to explore other opportunities and signed with Fortuna Hjorring in the Danish Women’s League (Kvindeliga) last year, playing in all but one game and making 12 starts on defense. She reported back to the squad over the summer for preseason training and league play began in August. Parcell, who turned 27 in September, grew up in the El Medio Bluffs, excelled in cross country and track at Corpus Christi School and is the only player in the history of the Palisades High girls soccer program to tally 50+ goals and 50+ assists in her career. She won the Palisadian-Post Cup Award in 2016 as the school’s outstanding senior athlete.

Pali High Cross Country Teams Sweep Varsity Races at El Dorado Park

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Palisades High’s boys and girls cross country teams have their sights set on the City Section Championships in November and both seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. The Dolphins tuned up for this weekend’s 76th annual Mt. SAC Invitational in Walnut by competing in the 37th edition of the Bell Gardens Invitational last Saturday morning at El Dorado Regional Park in Long Beach and they dominated the two varsity races, winning them by convincing margins.

The boys tested the flat three-mile course in the first race of the day and six Dolphins finished in the top 20, paced by junior Blake Sigworth, who clocked 15:18.9 to take third overall behind Glendora senior Kevin Sandoval (15:08.2) and San Pedro senior Christopher Frelix (15:17.0)  in a field of 272 runners. Junior Zachary Cohen was the second Dolphin across the line, taking sixth in 15:27.2. Senior Owen Lewicky was ninth in 15:37.9 and junior Anthony Razo was 11th in 15:39 flat. Sophomore Mako Holt was Palisades’ last scorer, placing 14th in 15:45.0—exactly six seconds behind Razo. Triplets Ethan Funk (16:02.9), Sebastian Funk (16:24.9) and Justin Funk (16:25.4) were 17th, 30th and 31st, respectively, and fellow freshman Theo Mayeda was 28th in 16:20.8. Rounding out the Dolphins contingent was senior Basel Thierry, who was 43rd in  16:43.1.

In team scoring, Palisades was first out of 25 schools with 37 points, way ahead of Glendora (96), San Pedro (97), Bonita (166) and Bravo (193).

The varsity girls race went off half an hour after the boys and the Dolphins posted an even lower score—35 points—to outdistance Santa Monica (65), Cleveland (137), Bravo (140) and Glendora (142) in the 17-team field. Santa Monica senior Phoebe Benun was the individual winner in a time of 17:43.1.

In a duel between the last two City individual champions, Palisades sophomore Zoey Morris, last year’s section winner, clocked 18:18.7 to hold off Cleveland senior Meztli Velazquez (18:29.8) for second Saturday. Velasquez won City as a sophomore when she ran for Granada Hills. Junior Louisa Mammen (18:46.3) was the Dolphins’ No. 2 runner, coming in sixth, and their No. 3 placer was her freshman sister Eleanor (ninth in 19:02.2). Junior Daila Harinck (19:43.3) and sophomore Kendal Shaver (19:43.9) were 20th and 21st, respectively, and counted towards the team total. Cecilia Tierney was 34th in 20:34.7, fellow senior Casey Scaduto was 89th in 23:22.1 and Leena Adeli, another 12th-grader, was 99th out of 197 runners in 23:41.4.

Palisades won the junior girls division with 80 points paced by junior Mar Henderson-Maclennan (20:04.1) and took sixth in the junior boys race with 228 points, led by freshman Alex Graham (31st in 16:48.3).