The Palisades High football team travels north to Sylmar for its first road game of the season tonight and the Dolphins are hoping to avenge a 21-16 defeat at Stadium by the Sea last year.
Both teams are hungry for their first win and their first points after being blanked by Southern Section private schools last week. Palisades fell 36-0 to Sierra Canyon while Sylmar suffered a 38-0 loss to Crespi in Encino.
The Spartans are led by inside linebacker Nehemiah Thompson (who led the City Section with 23 sacks as a freshman last season), speedy tailback Errin Jones and quarterback Angel Vizcarra.
Palisades was in control with a 10-0 lead and the ball last year when quarterback P.J. Hurst left the game with a concussion late in the first quarter. The Spartans answered with 21 straight points, then held off a late Dolphins rally. Pali High Coach Tim Hyde expects another tough game.
“I’m impressed by what I saw on film–they have athletes everywhere,” Hyde said. “They’re fast and athletic on defense. They’ve been one of the stronger programs in the City the last few years. They just reload.”
The junior varsity game kicks off at 4 p.m. today, followed by the varsity at 7 at Sylmar High.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
